2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems
Compared with other Chevrolet Trailblazer years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.2× that of a typical Chevrolet Trailblazer year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 3 of its 27 complaints were filed by the end of 2011.
- Most reported part: Exterior lighting (13 complaints, median 80,800 mi).
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 83,000miles, 18 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 4.2L 6-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 13 complaints (48% of the total), followed by electrical system (9) and air bags (4). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 83,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 964 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 189 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 4 Chevrolet Trailblazer model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Exterior lighting13 48%
- Electrical system9 33%
- Air bags4 15%
- Engine2 7.4%
- Brakes1 3.7%
- Fuel system1 3.7%
- Other or unknown1 3.7%
- Seat belts1 3.7%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “The headlights have failed. All the lights blink while you ride along. The two back doors will not lock or unlock and the front doors are starting to not lock or unlock properly. The items that let you know when a tire is low in air are failing. The last one costing over $100 to fix. I am getting very upset with the electric parts in this Trailblazer. This has been going on since purchase. As a photo I can send you a photo of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10885231, filed 2016-07, 30,000 milesElectrical system: “As I was driving in my yard I happened to bump the ignition key and the motor cut out and died. This caused me to not be able to turn and avoid bumping a post causing some body damage, but I was able to avoid hitting my friend in the yard because he had moved from by the post a minute earlier. I have had one more time with this problem, but not had a problem since, but I am now experiencing an occasional rough running engine. Could this ignition switch on this year vehicle need to be recalled also?”
NHTSA complaint #10680598, filed 2015-02, 42,679 milesAir bags: “I was driving 2009 chevy trail blazer and was t-boned by a speeding bus on my side, I had my wife and 2 girls with me, all were wearing seat belt and one of my girls was in her car seat also. The vehicle was totaled, all airbags failed to deploy in the vehicle. I suffered major injuries and I was out from monday through saturday. 3 months later I had an open brain surgery and still under doctors' care. The accident took place in jordan, I was charged with the accident because the report by the police was based on who you know!!!!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10402783, filed 2011-05Electronic stability control: “The engine lights come on, then the car starts chugging and shuddering and sounds and feels as if it will shut down. I am not able to accelerate. This is a serious safety risk in traffic, especially if driving on the interstate. The car will not move at anything over 20 MPH, if it even accelerates at all. I usually end up coasting to the side of the road and shutting the engine down. I let it sit and turn it back on and it may or may not let me go again.”
NHTSA complaint #11067138, filed 2018-02, 104,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
17% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 66,050 and 104,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailblazer · sedan RWD/AWD | not rated | 3 / 4 | — | — | 4 · 19.1% risk |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrailBlazer 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| TrailBlazer 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| TrailBlazer 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
| TrailBlazer 4WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| TrailBlazer 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| TrailBlazer AWD | 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- RQ17002Loss of HeadlightsClosed · Apr 24, 2017
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 964 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11011782Dec 7, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is…
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 11009531Sep 27, 2024Engine. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Trailblazer
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 12,000 | 1 | 5 | 31 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 26 | 18,750 | 1 | 5 | 31 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 36 | 10,000 | 1 | 5 | 31 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 75 | 42,481 | 0 | 5 | 31 | 50 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 112 | 37,750 | 1 | 5 | 31 | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 198 | 20,000 | 4 | 4–5 | 31 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2009 | 27 | 83,000 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2008 | 193 | 73,000 | 0 | — | 16 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 732 | 71,100 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 1,108 | 68,000 | 8 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 1,466 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 1,081 | 67,075 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 901 | 75,000 | 8 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 1,149 | 65,000 | 12 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 20 | 76,531 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 26 | 70,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chevrolet Trailblazer model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 13 complaints (48% of the total), followed by electrical system with 9.
Has the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer (TrailBlazer 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer reported?
Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 83,000 miles and the middle half falls between 66,050 and 104,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.