The most-reported Trailblazer run is 1GNDT13S422 (2002 builds) with 63 complaints, 7.4× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 29% of reports; 2005 is the worst model year at 14 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 30 recall campaigns for Trailblazer model years 2002–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Trailblazer has 771 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every Trailblazer complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GNDT13S422•••••• | 2002 | 2 | — | |
| 1GNDT13S952•••••• | 2005 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1GNDT13SX62•••••• | 2006 | — | 2 | |
| 1GNDT13S752•••••• | 2005 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1GNDT13S552•••••• | 2005 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1GNDT13SX22•••••• | 2002 | 3 | — | |
| 1GNDT13S722•••••• | 2002 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1GNDT13S852•••••• | 2005 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1GNDT13S322•••••• | 2002 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1GNDT13S262•••••• | 2006 | — | 1 | |
| 1GNDT13S222•••••• | 2002 | 7 | 5 | |
| 1GNDT13S652•••••• | 2005 | 4 | 2 |
Each of the other 759 Trailblazer runs has 53 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 121 Trailblazer VINs so far, most often 2023, 2026, 2021 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Trailblazer the gap between build years is 9.3×: a 2005 car draws 14 complaints per run, a 2009 one 1.5.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2025 | 25 | 22 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 33 | 25 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 70 | 42 | 5 | |
| 2022 | 110 | 62 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 193 | 79 | 7 | |
| 2009 | 22 | 15 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 165 | 40 | 9 | |
| 2007 | 648 | 68 | 16 | |
| 2006 | 1056 | 104 | 24 | |
| 2005 | 1234 | 88 | 53 | |
| 2004 | 1018 | 86 | 45 | |
| 2003 | 959 | 98 | 55 | |
| 2002 | 987 | 85 | 89 |
Heaviest year here is 2005 at 14 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything Chevrolet Trailblazer owners report: Electrical System, 2,135 of 6,524 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 29 | 142 | |
| Fuel System | 3 | 11 | |
| Gasoline | 2 | 11 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 20 | |
| Power Train | 20 | 14 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 4 | |
| Visibility | 3 | 32 | |
| Air Bags | 200 | 5 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 30 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Trailblazer; the 6 below cover build years 2002 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 26V539000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 2024–2026 |
| 04V527000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights | 2002–2004 |
| 21V440000 | Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift:stand | 2021–2022 |
| 12V406000 | Electrical System | 2006–2007 |
| 13V248000 | Electrical System | 2006–2007 |
| 15V599000 | Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls | 2006–2007 |
26V539000 was opened in 2026 on cars built from 2024: 2 years on the road before the recall.
The Trailblazer against its rivals
The Trailblazer draws 8.5 complaints per production run; the Subaru Forester 3.3. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | 6,524 | 771 | 4.8% | |
| Subaru Forester | 6,069 | 1,814 | 8.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 6,524 reports on the Chevrolet Trailblazer, 4.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Trailblazer | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 6,524 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 314 (4.8%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 228 (3.5%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 325 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 13 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Chevrolet Trailblazer share of that is 6,524 complaints over 771 runs, 0.58% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Trailblazer VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 6,524 NHTSA complaints from 771 Trailblazer runs and 30 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Trailblazer production run has the most complaints?
1GNDT13S422, a 2002 build, with 63 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Trailblazer run has 8.5.
Which Trailblazer years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2005 is heaviest at 14 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.
Does the Trailblazer get more complaints than the Subaru Forester?
Yes: 8.5 complaints per production run for the Trailblazer against 3.3 for the Subaru Forester.
How many Trailblazer complaints involve a crash?
4.8% of 6,524 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 228 involved a fire.
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