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2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners filed 1,297 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 TrailBlazer, and the model year has 8 recalls[1][2]. Several of those recalls cover the same fire risk in the driver's door switch module, so check the recall status of any specific vehicle before you buy[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 1,297 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Of those, 31 mention a crash, 61 a fire, 44 injuries and 14 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts.
The groups with the most complaints are:
| Component group | Complaints | Fires | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline[6] | 539 | 6 | 57,000 |
| Electrical system[7] | 292 | 40 | 85,280 |
| Fuel system, other[8] | 136 | 0 | 55,000 |
| Exterior lighting[9] | 123 | 4 | 110,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[10] | 81 | 2 | 79,500 |
| Engine[11] | 73 | 5 | 85,000 |
| Visibility[12] | 59 | 9 | 92,500 |
| Power train[13] | 56 | 2 | 73,162 |
The electrical group has the most fires of the groups listed here, 40 of its 292 complaints[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
We read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. In the 12 fuel system, gasoline texts we read, all 12 describe the fuel gauge or low fuel light acting up, such as reading empty right after a fill-up or swinging between full and empty[6]. Two of those 12 are the same text[6]. In the 12 fuel system, other texts, 11 describe the same gauge behavior, and some owners say the repair was out of warranty and cost several hundred dollars[8].
In the 12 electrical texts we read, 4 are about the fuel gauge and 2 describe the vehicle losing power or stalling while driving[7]. In the 12 exterior lighting texts, 5 describe low beam headlights going out while driving, and in some of those they came back on by themselves[9]. This is a small sample, so it shows what owners describe and not how often it happens.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Door switch module (15V599). Dated 2015-09-24, 9,932 vehicles[14]. Some vehicles had the driver's door master window switch module coated instead of replaced. The coating may not stop a short, which could cause a fire even while parked. Dealers install a new module free. The recall began November 2, 2015[14].
- Headlamp driver module (15V519). Dated 2015-08-14, 429,170 vehicles across several brands[15]. The module can overheat and fail, so the headlamps and daytime running lights do not light. That makes it harder to see the road and be seen. Dealers replace the module free. The recall began May 17, 2016[15].
- Remedy pending
Door module, new remedy (14V404). Dated 2014-07-02, 184,611 vehicles[3]. Fluid can get into the driver's door module and corrode the circuit board. The short can make the door lock and window switches act up and can cause overheating, smoke or fire, even when the vehicle is off. GM advised owners to park outside until it is repaired. The record says remedy parts were not yet available and a second owner letter would follow when they were. It also says vehicles whose modules were coated but not replaced under the earlier recall must be fixed again[3]. - Door module expansion (13V248). Dated 2013-06-13, 193,652 vehicles[4]. Same fluid and fire problem. Dealers test the module, apply a protective coating if it works, and replace it if it does not. The recall began August 2, 2013[4].
- Remedy pending
Door module (12V406). Dated 2012-08-16, 278,174 vehicles in a list of states[16]. Same fluid and fire problem, with the same advice to park outside. The record says parts were expected in March 2013, so the remedy was not yet available when it was filed[16]. - Passenger air bag sensing (06V417). Dated 2006-10-31, 794 vehicles[17]. Aftermarket leather seat covers on cloth seats can make the passenger sensing system wrong, so the passenger air bag could be off when it should be on, or on when it should be off. Because no compatible cover was available, GM offered to repurchase the vehicles[17].
- Tire label (05V552). Dated 2005-12-07, 32,068 vehicles[18]. Tire and loading labels showed the wrong capacity weight, which could lead to wrong loading or tire pressure and a tire failure. Owners get a corrected label[18].
- Power steering hose (05V455). Dated 2005-10-05, 123,592 vehicles[19]. A hose not built to specification could crack and leak under hard steering while braking, causing loss of power steering assist and possibly a fire if fluid hits hot engine parts. Dealers inspect the hose and replace it if needed[19].
Remove the sentence, or say only that the sources here do not show whether any given vehicle was repaired.
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on engine and drive. All are Automatic 4-spd[5].
| Version | City / hwy / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl[5] | 14 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 |
| 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl[20] | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 |
| 2WD, 6.0L 8-cyl, premium[21] | 14 / 18 / 15 | $5,500 |
| Ext 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl[22] | 14 / 19 / 15 | $4,450 |
| Ext 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl[23] | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 |
| 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl[24] | 14 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 |
| 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl[25] | 14 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 |
| AWD, 6.0L 8-cyl, premium[26] | 13 / 16 / 14 | $5,850 |
| Ext 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl[27] | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 |
| Ext 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl[28] | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
The 6.0L versions use premium fuel and cost the most to run[21][26]. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the TrailBlazer a rollover rating of 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 19.1%[29]. The TrailBlazer EXT is also rated 4 stars, with a risk of 19.8%[30]. We have no other star ratings for this model year.
Engine and size
The EPA lists 4.2L 6-cylinder, 5.3L 8-cylinder and 6.0L 8-cylinder engines for this model year[5][20][21]. Remove the sentence.
Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD, LS/LT[31] | 192 in | 74 in | 74 in | 113 in | 4,418 lb |
| 4WD, LS/LT[32] | 192 in | 74 in | 74 in | 113 in | 4,594 lb |
| SS 4WD[33] | 192 in | 74 in | 68 in | 113 in | 4,729 lb |
| SS RWD[34] | 192 in | 74 in | 68 in | 113 in | 4,550 lb |
| EXT 2WD, LS/LT[35] | 208 in | 75 in | 77 in | 129 in | 4,773 lb |
| EXT 4WD, LS/LT[36] | 208 in | 75 in | 77 in | 129 in | 5,007 lb |
How 2006 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,249 | 13 |
| 2003 | 1,214 | 9 |
| 2004 | 1,342 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1,466 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1,297 | 8 |
| 2007 | 732 | 5 |
| 2008 | 193 | 0 |
| 2009 | 27 | 0 |
NHTSA counts for each TrailBlazer model year with data[2]:
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,249 | 13 |
| 2003 | 1,214 | 9 |
| 2004 | 1,342 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1,466 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1,297 | 8 |
| 2007 | 732 | 5 |
| 2008 | 193 | 0 |
| 2009 | 27 | 0 |
The 2006 model year has the third most complaints of these years, behind 2005 and 2004. It also has the third most recalls, behind 2002 and 2003[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Should you buy a used 2006 TrailBlazer?
The record is mixed. This model year has a large complaint file and 8 recalls, and four of them involve a door module that can short and cause a fire[1][14][3][4][16]. Before buying, ask for proof that the door module and headlamp recalls were completed, Before buying, ask for proof that the door module and headlamp recalls were completed, since the remedy for some of these was once listed as not yet available[3][16].
Owners in the complaint samples we read often describe a faulty fuel gauge, which can be a repair out of warranty[6][8]. EPA combined ratings run 14 to 16 MPG across versions[5][26]. Treat this as a car to inspect closely and not one to skip or buy on the numbers alone.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer?
- By complaint count, the fuel system leads with 539 complaints, then the electrical system with 292[6][7]. In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe fuel gauge faults[6][8].
- How many recalls does the 2006 TrailBlazer have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year,[2][14][15][3][4][16]
- What is the MPG of a 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer?
- EPA combined ratings run from 14 to 16 MPG depending on engine and drive[26][5]. The 4.2L 2WD is rated 14 city, 20 highway and 16 combined[5].
- Is the 2006 TrailBlazer safe in a rollover?
- NHTSA rates rollover at 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 19.1% for the TrailBlazer and 19.8% for the EXT[29][30].
- Was 2006 a bad year for the TrailBlazer?
- It has the third most complaints (1,297) and the third most recalls (8) of the model years with data, so it sits in the higher group, but 2005 had more complaints at 1,466[2].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,297 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer (31 mention a crash, 61 a fire, 44 injuries, 14 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet TrailBlazer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V404, filed July 2, 2014: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V248, filed June 13, 2013: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 539 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (3 crashes, 6 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 292 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 40 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,280). NHTSA vehicle records
- 136 complaints name the fuel system, other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 123 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 81 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 73 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 59 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 9 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 56 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,162). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V599, filed September 24, 2015: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V519, filed August 14, 2015: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V406, filed August 16, 2012: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 06V417, filed October 31, 2006: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 05V552, filed December 7, 2005: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 05V455, filed October 5, 2005: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer 2WD, 6.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer Ext 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer Ext 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer AWD, 6.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer Ext 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for TrailBlazer Ext 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/4WD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/4WD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAILBLAZER 4DR SUV 2WD / LS/LT: length 192 in, width 74 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,418 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAILBLAZER 4DR SUV 4WD / LS/LT: length 192 in, width 74 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,594 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAILBLAZER 4DR SUV SS 4WD: length 192 in, width 74 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,729 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAILBLAZER 4DR SUV SS RWD: length 192 in, width 74 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,550 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAILBLAZER EXT 4DR SUV 2WD / LS/LT: length 208 in, width 75 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 129 in, curb weight 4,773 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAILBLAZER EXT 4DR SUV 4WD / LS/LT: length 208 in, width 75 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 129 in, curb weight 5,007 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov