Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUV | Crossover

Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUV | Crossover 

DESCRIPTION

The TrailBlazer is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 10 trims, ranging from the LT1 2WD to the SS3 AWD.

The LT1 2WD is equipped with a standard 4.2-liter, I6, 285-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. The SS3 AWD is equipped with a standard 6.0-liter, V8, 390-horsepower engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 17-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 198  
[Apr 20, 2011]
David Baker
Model Reviewed: Trailblazer LS

Strength:

6 Cylinder engine has great low end torque and pulls my boat with ease. I can load 4 x 8 sheets of plywood into the back. If I have a long board, the rear window can be left open.

Weakness:

Higher wind noise. Stereo is so bad I don't use it. Plastic seat trim around seat base won't stay on. Maybe some of these items would be better on a higher end model, I purchased the lowest trim LS model. I am 6'6" tall and the rear view mirror creates a huge blind spot.

Love the TB. Have 105,000 miles on it with no mechanical problems. It has never been in for a repair, except normal maintenance items (brakes, battery, oil). This is the 1st vehicle I have not traded at 60,000 miles. Owned 4 Ford vehicles in the past, had to rebuild the transmission on all 4 of them before 60,000 miles.

Similar Products Used:

2 Ford Aerostars, Ford Mountaineer, Ford Ranger Pickup, Dodge RAM Van

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 29, 2010]
donald
Model Reviewed: 03 trailblazer

Strength:

i pull a 21 foot ponton boat with no problem does good on hills love this blazer

Weakness:

its 2 03 with 177000 miles just a water pump thats all

love it

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Aug 09, 2010]
Kyle
Model Reviewed: Chevrolet Trailblazer LS

Strength:

This vehicle has many strengths. This vehicle has amazing power for a 6 cylinder at 270hp and was rated one of Ward's 10 best engines for a few years. Exterior styling, towing capacity, cargo capacity and ICE COLD A/C

Weakness:

Interior could have used better materials

This Trailblazer is my first vehicle and it has been excellent. I have read many reviews on this vehicle from multiple sites and it seems that people either love it or absolutely hate it.

This truck was my father's vehicle, he bought it new in November of 2001 and passed it down to me a couple of years ago for my first car. The truck has low mileage for the year, at only 72,000 and shows no signs of quitting any time soon.

As my family has owned this car for almost 9 years now I can honestly say that we have never taken it into the shop for any recalls etc. The only things we have done to it have been normal brakes, tires, and oil changes. The engine revs smoothly and revs low (usually I never get it much above 2,300 RPM in normal driving) and I know that it has a lot of guts left in it. Trailering is no problem either, we tow our boat and a trailer with three ATV's with no problem. The transmission shifts smooth as well; I know so many people have complained about this particular trans. Chevy truly hit a home run with this motor which is more powerful than many V8's on the market, especially the puny one in the Explorer.

This truck is the base model with not too many options. I believe this is partially why it has been such a good vehicle, not much to break!

It's odd however that my Mother had a 2003 GMC Envoy XL and it was an absolute nightmare, even though they are practically the same truck. She had the fully loaded SLT model which she purchased new as a left-over in 2004. It was a nice truck, with beautiful two-tone leather seats, wood trim, heat & memory seats, sunroof and DVD. Still, she paid way too much for the piece of crap some $40,000. In the first year the power driver's seat was replaced along with numerous other little bells and whistles that malfunctioned. I don't remember because I was only 14 when she bought it. The XL version (EXT on TB) should have come standard with a V8, I feel the 6 needs more power when pulling around the extra weight. I would not buy another GMC product but chevy has never done me or my family harm. We used to have a 1993 K1500 Suburban way back and that was a great truck too.

In all, the Trailblazer has been an excellent truck and has never been in the shop for repairs other than necessary maintenance (brakes, tires, oil changes.) I would highly recommend buying this vehicle if you are looking for the base model LS, but I would be wary of those with more options. The LTZ seems to have the most problems from people I have talked to.

I don't know why or how so many people have had bad experiences with this vehicle, but I see mine going to 120,000+ miles EASY.



Similar Products Used:

GMC Envoy, Chevy Suburban, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 23, 2009]
Joshua
Model Reviewed: LS

Strength:

Love the space and the tow hitch.
Stability.
Great turning diameter.
Great MPG for vehicle.
Nice room for fitting reasonable items.

Weakness:

Everything I mentioned in the summary.

PRO/CON
Purchased brand new in 05. Really thought I bought a solid vehicle. Brought it to the dealer due to a indicator light and found out my engine was recalled. Rebuilt from the bottom up. Fuel gauge kept braking so I had to take it in 3 times. Each time service manager told me it was fixed. Doesn't work to this day. Was told it will cost $400 to fix from another chevy dealer. Electrical wiring keeps acting up. And 3 weeks ago, for the first time used my emergency brake when parking and the pin in the rear drum came out. Chevy service department gave me a quote from $190 to over $1000. Yes, I have one of the brand new lemons that Chevrolet pushed out before the meltdown.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Feb 14, 2009]
Labbie
Model Reviewed: LT 4x4

Strength:

Seats, tires, body, brakes. It gives you great exercise when having to push it home on icy roads (roadside is a joke, they hang up on you!)

Weakness:

everything else, seriously! So far it's had a new ignition switch, new battery, TPMS done. The motors in BOTH front windows are about to be replaced. Issues with traction control, issues with dying for no apparent reason, electrical issues, stereo issues. Those are the known issues I'm having with it.

This is the absolute worst vehicle ever built! I had this vehicle 3.5 months so far and it's spent 3 weeks in the shop and about to go in for another extended visit to the shop! There's so many things wrong with it that it's easier to say what's right about it. I absolutely REFUSE to allow my toddler inside the vehicle while it's supposed to be driving.

3.5 months and I'm DESPERATE to get out of this piece of junk!

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Oct 17, 2008]
Sophicsage
Model Reviewed: Chevrolet Trailblazer

Strength:

Power, stability, maneuverability, visibility, and price.

Weakness:

The rear seal on the back hatch degraded about two months ago. Dealer replaced it. Nothing other problems thus far.

This has proven to be an excellent vehicle for me. I go mountain biking and on occasional long trips and this is the definitely a great family / off-road vehicle. With the roof racks and a storage box on top, I can comfortably transport my family, my dog, and my luggage without a problem, yet it's not so huge that I can't find parking in tight spaces. The vehicle is very versatile. Some of the large SUVs are nice, but they are fuel hogs and take up a lot of room in some parking lot spaces.

I bought this vehicle used with 13,000 miles on it and it now has 20,000 miles on it. It drives better now than it did when I bought it and looked / drove like it was brand new then. I finally bought a vehicle that I don't feel like I've wasted my money on.

Similar Products Used:

Ford Expedition

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 15, 2008]
enfuegophil
Model Reviewed: Chevy Trailblazer EXT LT

Strength:

Styling, Power, Comfort, Drivability, Flexiblity.

Weakness:

The extended model has a poor view out the rear window; a rear view camera would be excellent.

Excellent vehicle. I have not had one problem. It does everything well.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 03, 2008]
gonzo85
Model Reviewed: Chevrolet Trailblazer LS

Strength:

Nice exterior design, great cargo space, smooth quiet ride for an SUV.

Weakness:

MPG-15 city, rear wiper is not that great, transmission issues.

I have been quite pleased with my 2004 Trailblazer until recently. I have had zero problems for the last 4 years. At 75,000 miles, the transmission gave out. It would shift in low gears, but would not shift past 3rd gear. The cost to replace it at the dealership is $3200, which is double what you will pay if you take it to a transmission shop. Honestly, I was more pissed with the dealer than the actual mechanical problems. Even to rebuild my trans, the cost at the dealer is $2300. I just didn't feel like there was much love after I dropped 38K for the truck.
Anyway, I got it rebuilt by a mechanic who specializes in transmissions for $1600 out the door. He also informed me that my transmission was missing 1 clutch.. it had 5 clutches, but there should have been 6... I would say that is a major problem if that is true. My truck is shifting smoother than it ever has after the rebuild. I would recommend that you stay away from the dealer because you will pay much more than you have to... this goes for any type of mechanical problem that you encounter.

Also, I will say I drove this trailblazer to California and back from Michigan. I drove it through the Rocky Mountains, and I towed a 3500 lb boat from California to Michigan going up and down mountain grades. I also tow a boat in Michigan in the summer. This has put a lot of stress on the transmission, so I don't think I can be that disappointed. I have had zero problems in 4 years other than this.

Even with that being true, I would probably look Toyota's way in the future.. There are just too many complaints from other people on these Trailblazers. You would be foolish to spend that kind of money knowing there are specific quality issues on these rides.

Similar Products Used:

Jeep Wrangler, Chevrolet S-10 Blazer

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[May 15, 2008]
Ginger
Model Reviewed: Trailblazer LS

Strength:

Everything works great!

Its amazing, reading some of the reviews. I have had not one problem with my Chevy Trailblazer. You people who are talking about buying foreign cars, think again. You are putting your fellow americans out of work.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[May 05, 2008]
beccaberry
Model Reviewed: Chevy Trailblazer

Strength:

Size.

Weakness:

Everything.

I have had nothing but problems with this car. When I test drove it I could tell that the muffler was loose so I told the dealer and when they brought the vehicle out to me after I purchased it the dealer told me there was nothing wrong with the muffler. However, I could put my foot on the tailpipe and move the muffler. So, I took it back a total of 3 times in two months and every time they said nothing was wrong. So I showed a friend of mine and he got under there and said it wasn't hooked. It took him two seconds to fix it. Seriously, Chevy service departments really stink.
I took the car in for the battery and after driving away, my a/c would not come out of the vents. It came out of the feet and defrost ones, but not the regular ones. Drove it right back and some fan motor had to be replaced.
I had to have the instrument cluster replaced when my speedometer stopped working. That was $500, since I don't have a warranty any more. The oxygen sensor was also replaced at the same time.
Now, what I believe is my A/C compressor, is making a whole bunch of noise. The noise starts as soon as I turn the key, the car doesn't even have to be started. I really want to trade this car in for a Toyota Camry, but I am upside down on it. I only owe $7500 and they only want to give me $5000. After reading all of these reviews I am worried that the transmission is going to go and I'm going to be really screwed.
The gas mileage is not the greatest. I get 15 in the city and almost 20 on the highway.
I can't wait to buy my Toyota. My husband traded his 2002 Chevy S-10 Extreme for a 2006 Toyota Tacoma and we haven't had a single problem in the year and a half we've owned it. Not one.

Similar Products Used:

2001 Chevy Tracker (not as bad). 1989 Chevy Camaro (awesome car). They sure don't make 'em like they used to.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
Showing 1-10 of 198  

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