54 of the 9,343 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Trailblazer are about the driver-assist systems — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2021.
54
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
14
Crashes
1
Fires
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Dealership Linwood inspected vehicle and certified power and ground module has internal fault-faulty front camera module.
NHTSA complaint #11742562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete failure of the electronic braking/power brake assist system. Simultaneously, multiple safety warnings illuminated on the dashboard display, including a persistent service wrench icon, a traction control warning light, and a lane-keep assist indicator light. Due to the loss of brake assistance, the vehicle was unsafe to operate and had to be towed/driven directly to a licensed dealership for emergency diagnosis. The dealership technicians subsequently inspected the vehicle and reported that the entire electronic braking system had suffered a total failure and is completely non-functional. Despite multiple technical service bulletins and recalls issued for similar vehicle builds regarding electronic brake boost interruptions and mechanical brake vacuum pump failures, I am being forced to pay for these critical safety repairs out of pocket. A sudden loss of braking power poses an immediate crash hazard, and I am filing this report to urge the NHTSA to investigate why this manufacturing defect is not covered under an active safety recall for this specific vehicle configuration.
NHTSA complaint #11742380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
My shift to park was broken last September 9-25, and I took it to the dealers I bought it from (the month prior, in august) and they fixed it. I was never informed what they did to fix it. I didn't have any issues with it after that up until recently. I will put my car into park, press the engine button to turn it off, and then it displays the shift to park message and beeps. the light next to my gear shift will be on "P" and my screen also says my car is in park. I have to mess with the gear shifter until it recognizes that it's parked so I can actually leave my car. I have taken it to an auto shop local to me and they had it all day and couldn't figure out what caused it. I typically am stuck in my car for over 5 minutes because of this issue. My lane departure warning worked for about 2-3 months after I purchased the car. Out of nowhere it stopped working and when I press the button to turn it on, it says it's unavailable. I've tried cleaning the sensor, turning it on when I'm not accelerating/braking, and turning it on while in cruise control and it will not work.
NHTSA complaint #11735756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
My shift to park was broken last September 9-25, and I took it to the dealers I bought it from (the month prior, in august) and they fixed it. I was never informed what they did to fix it. I didn't have any issues with it after that up until recently. I will put my car into park, press the engine button to turn it off, and then it displays the shift to park message and beeps. the light next to my gear shift will be on "P" and my screen also says my car is in park. I have to mess with the gear shifter until it recognizes that it's parked so I can actually leave my car. I have taken it to an auto shop local to me and they had it all day and couldn't figure out what caused it. I typically am stuck in my car for over 5 minutes because of this issue. My lane departure warning worked for about 2-3 months after I purchased the car. Out of nowhere it stopped working and when I press the button to turn it on, it says it's unavailable. I've tried cleaning the sensor, turning it on when I'm not accelerating/braking, and turning it on while in cruise control and it will not work.
NHTSA complaint #11735756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The vehicle has experienced ongoing and unresolved issues despite multiple service visits. The primary concern is excessive engine vibration. It shakes concerningly when backed into a driveway at an incline and placed in park. This occurs while the vehicle is stationary and idling. The issue has been reproduced and acknowledged by a dealership service advisor during a test drive, who stated the vibration was excessive and concerning. However, no repair was completed, and no clear diagnosis has been provided. The vehicle has also displayed repeated error messages with no confirmed cause, ongoing Bluetooth connectivity issues even after system updates and resets, and a malfunctioning forward collision warning system. Prior repair attempts include replacement of the backup camera, center console, and exterior windshield trim. The windshield trim repair was incomplete, as only the middle section was replaced while the remaining components were not, resulting in a mismatched and unresolved condition. No service documentation was provided for the most recent visit despite being advised that updated findings would be sent. These issues have persisted across multiple service attempts and remain unresolved. The engine vibration and malfunctioning safety systems raise safety and reliability concerns, including the potential for reduced driver awareness and increased risk of a collision.
NHTSA complaint #11730997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My family and I was I involved in a hit and run accident. My minor child is still suffering from shoulder/rotator cuff injuries. Hewas in the process to start conditioning for football. The seatbelt on the day of the accident did not lock. GM sent a criminal investigator not a trained engineer for the vehicle. The seatbelts needs to be inspected. The motor/transmission is making a ticking sound.
NHTSA complaint #11716389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Shift to park message coming on, not allowing vehicle shutoff. No inspection yet, in looking up issue, was prompted to report.
NHTSA complaint #11715160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on an open highway with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the system sensed an unknown object and slammed on the brakes. The adaptive cruise control was turned off. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,500.
NHTSA complaint #11706119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was in a collision. Traveling a four lane highway during daylight ours with no in-climate weather. The car in front of a line of approximately 4 cars missed their exit and slammed on his breaks to make a right turn from the driving lane. The line of cars in front of me stopped and/or left the roadway to avoid a collision. I was unable to stop in time and had nowhere to go and I rear-ended the car in front of me, which was fully stopped in the lane. According to my dash camera my speed on Impact was approximately 45 mph. No front end collision warning alarms went off. No automatic breaking occurred. No airbag deployed. None of the vehicle safety and anti collision measures performed as I had expected. $10,000 worth of damage to my car alone.
NHTSA complaint #11699637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was in a collision. Traveling a four lane highway during daylight ours with no in-climate weather. The car in front of a line of approximately 4 cars missed their exit and slammed on his breaks to make a right turn from the driving lane. The line of cars in front of me stopped and/or left the roadway to avoid a collision. I was unable to stop in time and had nowhere to go and I rear-ended the car in front of me, which was fully stopped in the lane. According to my dash camera my speed on Impact was approximately 45 mph. No front end collision warning alarms went off. No automatic breaking occurred. No airbag deployed. None of the vehicle safety and anti collision measures performed as I had expected. $10,000 worth of damage to my car alone.
NHTSA complaint #11699637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I entered the intersection, the LKA system began alerting me and pulling the vehicle towards the oncoming left traffic turn lane. I took my foot off the accelerator and reached over to shut the LKA off as it was pulling my vehicle. The incident resulted in distracting me resulting in my car hitting a car in the oncoming left turn lane.
NHTSA complaint #11698171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that on several occasions, while the Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control was activated, and the brakes were inadvertently activated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was determined that three software updates needed to be completed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11679352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On April 13, 2025, around 5:00 PM, while driving, a warning appeared on my dashboard: “Forward Collision System Reduced.” Not knowing the full meaning but understanding it could pose a safety risk, I immediately contacted the dealership the next day. I informed them it was urgent, but no one followed up. Days later, I called again and was told to bring the vehicle in. When I did, I asked about a rental vehicle (previously provided during another incident), but was told no rental would be offered until the car underwent diagnostics, which would take 3–4 business days. I explained I rely on this vehicle for work and couldn’t leave it that long without transportation. I was dismissed without any explanation of the warning. Despite reporting a system warning related to crash prevention, the dealership allowed me to continue driving. No inspection was done, and I received no help understanding the message or resolving the issue. On May 8, 2025, I missed a stop sign and collided with another vehicle. The crash caused major damage and totaled my car. The Forward Collision System never activated—no alerts, no automatic braking. The vehicle was advertised to include safety features like collision prevention that would warn or stop automatically. This failure contributed to the crash. I was cited for failing to stop and driving without insurance. I believe the system malfunctioned and that the dealership acted negligently by not inspecting the vehicle promptly. The issue has not been confirmed by the dealer because they refused to inspect it. The vehicle may still be available for inspection, and I plan to have the black box (EDR) data analyzed. No warning lights appeared before April 13.
NHTSA complaint #11673580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On April 13, 2025, around 5:00 PM, while driving, a warning appeared on my dashboard: “Forward Collision System Reduced.” Not knowing the full meaning but understanding it could pose a safety risk, I immediately contacted the dealership the next day. I informed them it was urgent, but no one followed up. Days later, I called again and was told to bring the vehicle in. When I did, I asked about a rental vehicle (previously provided during another incident), but was told no rental would be offered until the car underwent diagnostics, which would take 3–4 business days. I explained I rely on this vehicle for work and couldn’t leave it that long without transportation. I was dismissed without any explanation of the warning. Despite reporting a system warning related to crash prevention, the dealership allowed me to continue driving. No inspection was done, and I received no help understanding the message or resolving the issue. On May 8, 2025, I missed a stop sign and collided with another vehicle. The crash caused major damage and totaled my car. The Forward Collision System never activated—no alerts, no automatic braking. The vehicle was advertised to include safety features like collision prevention that would warn or stop automatically. This failure contributed to the crash. I was cited for failing to stop and driving without insurance. I believe the system malfunctioned and that the dealership acted negligently by not inspecting the vehicle promptly. The issue has not been confirmed by the dealer because they refused to inspect it. The vehicle may still be available for inspection, and I plan to have the black box (EDR) data analyzed. No warning lights appeared before April 13.
NHTSA complaint #11673580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Two weeks before the accident, a warning message appeared on my car’s dashboard stating: “FORWARD COLLISION SYSTEM REDUCED.” Naturally, I was concerned. I immediately contacted the dealership, but they failed to return my call. I followed up a few days later, and they told me to bring the car in the next day. When I went in, I explained my serious concerns. They told me they would need to keep the vehicle for 3 to 4 days just to diagnose the issue and that no courtesy car would be provided during that time. I made it clear that I rely on my car for work and had no alternative. I even pointed out that the dashboard warning was a diagnosis in itself. I asked to speak with a manager and repeated everything. He simply echoed what the advisor had said—and I was sent away with the vehicle, unresolved and still potentially unsafe. On May 8th, 2025, around 5 PM, on a clear day, I missed a stop sign and collided with another car. I firmly believe the forward collision system malfunctioned and that this accident could have been prevented had the system worked properly—or if the dealership had properly advised me not to drive the vehicle after such a critical warning. In my view, the dealership was completely negligent, and the manufacturer was aware of a defect in the system and failed to act. I also contacted the finance company, Santander Consumer USA, to alert them in case other customers have the same vehicle with the same risk. They showed no concern. It’s important to add that I did not choose this car myself. Santander limited me to specific dealerships and pre-approved vehicles. I had no freedom to select a car I truly wanted—perhaps because the available options were already considered poor choices. I believe a recall is necessary. I lost my vehicle due to this negligence, and I want to prevent this from happening to someone else. PS: I also had another message on 02/15/2025 that said: ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, and apparently the dealership took care of it.
NHTSA complaint #11667374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
A loud popping noise heard through the radio when light pressure applied to brakes. Noise loud enough to scare the hell out of all the occupants in the car. Brakes squeaked when car was in reverse. Tried to slow down on wet pavement. Car started to veer to the right. Forward collision warning nor automatic emergency braking worked. Pushed brake all the way to the floor and the car did not slow. Rear ended another car. No airbags deployed. My passenger was okay. I got diagnosed with a concussion. Do not know if the occupants in the other car were injured.
NHTSA complaint #11643617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
A loud popping noise heard through the radio when light pressure applied to brakes. Noise loud enough to scare the hell out of all the occupants in the car. Brakes squeaked when car was in reverse. Tried to slow down on wet pavement. Car started to veer to the right. Forward collision warning nor automatic emergency braking worked. Pushed brake all the way to the floor and the car did not slow. Rear ended another car. No airbags deployed. My passenger was okay. I got diagnosed with a concussion. Do not know if the occupants in the other car were injured.
NHTSA complaint #11643617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the backup camera image remained displayed in all gear shifter positions. The contact was concerned that safety warning information and messages were not available for viewing while the failure was present. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 17,938.
NHTSA complaint #11640666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact was informed by a mobile Safelite technician that there were minor spider web cracks on the windshield. The windshield was replaced by Safelite. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact also stated that upon pressing the Push to Start button to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered, made an abnormal sound, and then turned off. The contact stated that the failure recurred while starting the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a transmission bolt was missing. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that upon parking and turning off the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed while the gear shifter was in park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving with no vehicles nearby, the automatic emergency braking system engaged, causing the vehicle to jerk. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11626113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
When I shift my vehicle into Park and attempt to turn off the car, the computer gives me an error message, "Shift to Park, " even when the vehicle is securely shifted into park. With this error message engaged, I am unable to turn the vehicle off and lock it. I end up spending several minutes trying to convenience the computer that the car is indeed in park, by shifting it so it registers.
NHTSA complaint #11614431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.