186 of the
9,343 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Trailblazer
are about the steering —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
The incident involved a 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer, purchased new in late February 2025. The failure appears related to the vehicle’s electrical/charging system and associated control modules, resulting in a sudden loss of critical safety systems. The vehicle was towed by GM Roadside Assistance and is currently at an authorized Chevrolet dealership, where it is available for inspection upon request. While driving in Cambria, New York, the dashboard illuminated with multiple warning indicators and the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power steering and braking. The brake pedal traveled fully to the floor with no resistance and no braking effect. Steering effort increased dramatically. The driver was only able to avoid a crash due to favorable road and traffic conditions and was able to coast to a stop and pull off the roadway. This failure posed an immediate and serious risk of injury or death to the driver and others. The problem had occurred previously in the form of repeated warning messages. Beginning within the first week of ownership, the vehicle displayed “Service the Charge System Vehicle May Stall” warnings and since then has appeared hundreds of times. The vehicle was previously towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealership, where we were informed that General Motors identified the issue as a known software-related problem and advised that the vehicle could continue to be driven while awaiting a future update. The catastrophic failure occurred after this guidance. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Chevrolet dealership both prior to and following this incident, and General Motors has been involved through dealership communication. No police or insurance inspection has occurred, as no collision resulted. Based on the repeated warnings, dealer statements, and nature of the failure, the best assessment is an electrical or software-related malfunction, though the precise root cause remains UNKNOWN and requires investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11715690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle intermittently warns about a Power Steering issue with no other indications to the problem. There are no physical issues detected while driving. The error displays at random times and will reset intermittently. This started occurring at the same time the car constantly indicates that it is not in park when trying to shutoff the vehicle even though it is clearly shifted into park.
NHTSA complaint #11706946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Experiencing reduced speed, rattling noise, check engine light, power steering light on. Chevy app shows throttle control system and antilock break system error messages. Took to Chev dealership. Advised it was fuel injector (1 /4 was burned out). Had all 4 replaced ($3000). Picked up car on a Friday, vehicle was having the same issues next day Saturday. Took it back on Monday, it is now Wednesday and they’re saying it’s the turbo charger now (another $3000). Mechanic couldn’t figure out what the issue was so it took 3 days for him to now say it’s the turbo charger. I think it was the turbo charger from the get go! What’s the purpose of the diagnostics ($250)? Isn’t it to pinpointed the issue? 1st day, took him 4 hours to say it was the fuel injector. 2nd time around it took 3 days. I kept showing them and telling them it’s the throttle control system! They’re trying to rip me off! Mechanic is saying he’s been test driving it and no issues. I took a photo of my mileage before I handed them my car and it was 79,190. The mileage today says 79,191. How and where is he test driving it if it’s only been 1 mile? Reverse and forward ? They’re lying
NHTSA complaint #11690808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving, a service warning came on that reads "Service Power Steering" - when that came on, the brakes ceased to work properly and required significant force, causing a big delay in braking. It is not safe to drive due to the limited braking. This mirrors the recall situation for other 2021 Trailblazer models with the interrupted brake sensor.
NHTSA complaint #11685359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle independently activated the brakes while the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel independently veered towards the right. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the brake master cylinder assembly was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer and was left for further investigation. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
NHTSA complaint #11659160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Two times in a month after getting fixed the first time the esc error code pops up and the engine starts running at 1/2 capacity and the steering gets hard to steer. There is also a braking error code that displays. I have had to tow it to the dealership twice now and can not drive it. It is a danger since it will decelerate when in traffic and becomes hard to steer.
NHTSA complaint #11655770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving my steering wheel goes to the left and it’s uncontrollable, I have to yank it to the right and hold it there to keep my vehicle straight it’s unsafe and does it randomly. It started around the 22 of January, 2025 and has persisted in the days following
NHTSA complaint #11638422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. After the failure, the "Service ESC" and "Service Power Steering" messages were displayed. The contact stated that months later, upon starting the vehicle, the "Shift to Park" message was displayed and the vehicle failed to recognize that the shifter was still in park(P). The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the braking system needed to be updated and that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #11555103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steering warning light comes on while driving and steering locks up. Dealer inspected the vehicle and states the steering unit did pull a code, however is not serviceable and will need replaced. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle as the steering locks up and cause a serious accident. The dealer advised it may take several weeks for the parts to arrive. I am reading other reports of Trailblazer owners facing the same service issue. I am requesting a rental car from GM and/or the dealer until my car is fixed, however they told me I have to pay out of pocket myself. I am disgusted this brand new car is facing such a serious safety issue. This needs investigated ASAP before someone is killed on the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11546307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While traveling down the road at approximatly 35-40 mph with my two minor children, the steering was not responding properly and the car kept attempting to veer to the right. I let off the gas to slow down since the brakes were also not seeming to respond well. Upon attempting to brake and execute a left hand turn, the car would not turn at all despite the steering wheel being as turned as far to the left as possible, the lights began flashing on the dashboard for "PowerSteering" ESC warning. We ended up going through the intersection without stopping and narrowly missed another car in intersection and went completely off the road into a snowbank. Fortunately we were not injured. We drove the vehicle back home (approximately one mile) by overpowering the steering and manually forcing the car to stay on the road. Throughout the lane assist kept attempting to autocorrect and drive us off the road. The car was damaged by the impact and the mechanic said that the tie rod is bent and has no idea what could have caused this to happen. I am somehow now responsible for the situation. I have asked what caused the power steering to fail, and Chevy claims that they have no record of any power steering issues (which research has shown to be untrue) and in order to determine IF it failed and/or why, they need to make the repair and then run additional tests to re-create the issue. This car only has 21,000 miles on it, and has never been in an accident before this.
NHTSA complaint #11500332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V455000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11481975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer since May 2021, it has been 15 months, not even a year and a half off the lot and i have had wayyyy too many problems. I have has service the stabilitrak stability control system, service the antilock breaking system multiple times within the first 8-10 months. I had to get a part replaced due to that. The dealership had my vehicle literally for a month after i bought it, had an open tak report through Gm due to my engine light coming on. Gm did not know why it was happening. Had 2 service engine and transmission system alerts. I have had a fuel injector and line replaced as well within the first 6 months. I have had to get the system updated 2 times also. Now August 2022 im having service battery, or starter. Have had my vehicle shut off on me at an intersection then come back on two different times. My breaks have been squealing ever since i got this vehicle. Dealership confirms everything is in good standing. I have not had a vehicle where breaks squeal when i am coming to a stop or backing out of my driveway constantly. Dealership keeps saying oh its just probably dust or dirt, spray them out and it should stop. But, it has not for about a year now! Unbelievable! I am going it to trade this vehicle in. This is wayyy too much to be dealing with when you pay $30 grand on a vehicle!
NHTSA complaint #11481702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While I was driving the dash light for Service Power Steering / Service ESC appeared and made it difficult to turn I had to use force. After I parked I shut it off and ran my errands I started the trailblazer up and the lights went away. After ten minutes they appeared and disappeared. I called the dealer ship and they said I need a steering column. After they inspected the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11449437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine fans were activated however, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the engine thermostat as faulty. The thermostat was replaced, and the failure was remedied. Also, while driving the vehicle would jerk and hesitate while changing gears. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure was a transmission issue. No further information was available. Also, while driving 27 MPH, the service brake system failure" message suddenly displayed, and the brake pedal was hard while pressed. The parking brake was activated. Moments later the message "power steering failure" displayed and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake master cylinder was faulty and needed to be replaced. The brake master cylinder was replaced, and the braking and steering failures were remedied. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,051.
NHTSA complaint #11448865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING MY BRAND NEW 2021 TRAILBLAZER (ONLY 160 MILES) AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AT THE END OF A STREET. SUDDENLY, I GOT ALERTS THAT MY BRAKE SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND RIGHT AFTER THAT, ANOTHER ONE, SAYING THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. AT THAT POINT, IT REQUIRED MUCH MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO STOP, AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM VERY RESPONSIVE. LATER I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON, BUT I THINK THE BRAKES WERE WORKING AGAIN. I'M NOT SURE BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE IT, JUST IN CASE.
NHTSA complaint #11415441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT CRASHING INTO A CURB. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING A POWER STEERING LINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V455000 (STEERING) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11413030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARTS BEEN ACTING UP ON ME. BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH HYDRAULIC HOSE ON STEERING, WINDOWS/LOCKS ELECTRICAL AND BEEN CONSTANTLY REPLACING WHEELS AND HUB BEARINGS.
NHTSA complaint #11337500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I GO IN MY CAR AND START IT, AND ITS FINE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, BUT ONCE I CUT THE CAR OFF WHILE I RUN INTO THE STORE, AND I COME BACK OUT, START THE CAR, AND START GOING DOWN THE ROAD, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, AND "SERVICESTABILITYTRAK" COMES ACROSS THE LITTLE SCREEN, AND WON'T CUT OFF AT ALL UNTIL I TURN THE CAR BACK OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11317820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.