Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 32% |
| Air bags | 4 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
| Engine | 1 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My first complaint is that headlights, low beam, would not work. Only high beams worked. The issue stopped, unexplainable, on its own, has not occurred again. The 2nd complaint is the radio volume would 'slip' as if the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY APPLIED BRAKES AND HIT CAR IN REAR. AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDI
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
THE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON, THEN THE CAR STARTS CHUGGING AND SHUDDERING AND SOUNDS AND FEELS AS IF IT WILL SHUT DOWN. I AM NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK IN TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING ON THE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
WHILE DRIVING THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT. AND NOT COME BACK ON YOU HAVE TO TURN ON HIGH BEAMS TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED AND PULLED OVER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE TURNED IT BACK ON AND LOW BEAMS STILL DID NOT COME
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. ALL OTHER LIGHTS STAY ON AND THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK. ONLY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE AFFECTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION AND FROM A STOPPED POSITION WHEN FIRST START
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A SEMI-TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED. ALL THE LIGHTS BLINK WHILE YOU RIDE ALONG. THE TWO BACK DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK AND THE FRONT DOORS ARE STARTING TO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK PROPERLY. THE ITEMS THAT LET YOU KNOW WHEN A TIRE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 92 | excellent |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 9 of them (32%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.