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 there were a loose wire to the speakers, and loss of sound became more frequent and for longer periods of time, eventually all sound stopped, it has not been fixed, as of yet. 3rd complaint, a brand new battery, in under a year of use, went completely dead, without any visible explanation. When an attempt to jump start the vehicle the cables from another cars battery were touched at my cars battery, it sparked, indicating to the person performing the task, there is a 'short' somewhere in the wiring system. I drive this vehicle less than 3000 miles per year, and use it sporadically with my second vehicle to keep the batteries active. I cannot explain why these issues are occurring but thought it important to mention them to other possible victims with the same issues.
The worst 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Lights13
- Electrical9
- Airbags4
- Driver assistance3
- Engine2
- Acceleration1
- Brakes1
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
- Transmission1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Loss of Headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at under the identification numbers in the attached document.
RQ17002
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer 965
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Unknown or other
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Unknown or other
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Electrical system
- This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline...
- This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or...
2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 |
| 4.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 20 | 16 |
| 4.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 20 | 16 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 20 | 16 |
| 6.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 12 | 16 | 14 |
| 6.0L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 12 | 16 | 13 |
What 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Traveling on highway applied brakes and hit car in rear. Air bags not deployed.
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 indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,731.
Cracked exhaust manifold
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 interstate. The car will not move at anything over 20 MPH, if it even accelerates at all. I usually end up coasting to the side of the road and shutting the engine down. I let it sit and turn it back on and it may or may not let me go again.
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 back on
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 starting the car and putting it in drive. I have researched it on several group we sights and found that the problem is the headlight dimmer module (hdm). I have replaced this two times over the last two years which always fixes it for about a year then it starts failing again. This is a very dangerous situation because it happens after dark. I can pull over and stop, open the hood and take off the fuse box cover and remove the hdm and put it back in the socket. Sometimes this works and sometimes not. It is a dangerous situation. There have been recalls on earlier trailblazers but not this year. It should be included.
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 report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, knees, and arms, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was 135,000.
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 is low in air are failing. The last one costing over $100 to fix. I am getting very upset with the electric parts in this trailblazer. This has been going on since purchase. As a photo I can send you a photo of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving 65 MPH, the headlamps failed to illuminate. The contact had to activate the high beam lights in order to continue driving. The contact learned that she needed to replace the fuse. The vehicle was repaired, but the new fuse only lasted six months. The vehicle will be diagnosed again per the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Compare the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, fewer than a typical Trailblazer model year.
What is the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer year score?
The 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer scores 91 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Trailblazer: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Lights, with 13 complaints, typically around 81,600 miles. Next is electrical (9).
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Chevrolet Trailblazer have the most lights problems?
The Chevrolet Trailblazer model years with the most lights complaints are 2007 (151 complaints), 2002 (144 complaints) and 2005 (143 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer get?
Official estimates for the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer range from 13 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.3L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 21 highway.
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