While driving on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete failure of the electronic braking/power brake assist system. Simultaneously, multiple safety warnings illuminated on the dashboard display, including a persistent service wrench icon, a traction control warning light, and a lane-keep assist indicator light. Due to the loss of brake assistance, the vehicle was unsafe to operate and had to be towed/driven directly to a licensed dealership for emergency diagnosis. The dealership technicians subsequently inspected the vehicle and reported that the entire electronic braking system had suffered a total failure and is completely non-functional. Despite multiple technical service bulletins and recalls issued for similar vehicle builds regarding electronic brake boost interruptions and mechanical brake vacuum pump failures, I am being forced to pay for these critical safety repairs out of pocket. A sudden loss of braking power poses an immediate crash hazard, and I am filing this report to urge the federal safety agency to investigate why this manufacturing defect is not covered under an active safety recall for this specific vehicle configuration.
Chevrolet Trailblazer brake failure problems
45 of the 7,174 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Trailblazer describe brake failure, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 45
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 62,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 3No deployment 3ABS 3Won't start 2Stalling 2Ball joint 2Pulling 1Steering noise 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to operate as needed and the vehicle nearly crashed. Additionally, the contact reported that the rear of the vehicle lifted significantly and made a popping sound while driving. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with brake line failures, ABS malfunction, and severe structural deterioration of the undercarriage and the sub frame. The contact had recently purchased the vehicle and was informed that the vehicle was in good condition. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,124.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brakes became inoperative. The message "Brake Failure - Speed Reduced to 53 MPH – Service Required" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the dealer stated that the vehicle could not be diagnosed because diagnostic tests were available only by appointment. The dealer informed the contact that the computer software needed to be reset to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact information about a recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,884.
The brake pedal goes to the floor and does not want to stop. There is a brake failure meesage on the dash.
This has happened twice with my vehicle that the emergency brakes and alert are not working. I had to slam on brakes just to stop from hitting the car in front of me. The emergency brakes did not work at all. I have it on in my car.
Brakes failed and myself and others were in harms way. To my knowledge the car was totaled as the air bags did deploy.
Brakes failed for no apparent reason around 8:00 am that morning. My friend and I was driving to my home in his 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer after many stops that morning. We was on the interstate doing 65 MPH. I noticed the traffic ahead approaching and I said "cars" indicating to my friend to slow down. He said "I have no brakes!" We narrowly missed the first cars and while readjusting we came into contact with the driver side of three vehicles rolling us on our side! I broke both my arms escaping thankfully with my life. We had no idea what suddenly and unexpectedly lost brakes. Weeks afterwards I started reading about the stabilitrac and steering sensor on the 1 of many Chevrolet vehicle defect issues. Around that year and I believe was the problem. I have been out of work and tried to explain this to people with no reply. I read an article about Chevrolet told about the issue and refused a recall. Senator Blumenthal requested an investigation but I haven't seen anything after a judge requested a Chevrolet CEO deposed. If this vehicle has these dangerous problems please know that it almost killed my friend and i. https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/03/u-s-senator-asks-the federal safety agency-to-investigate-gm-over-faulty-steering-sensor/ Thanks if anyone is listening. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound before the power steering and brakes failed. Additionally, the brake pedal became extremely sensitive while gently being depressed causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. The contact had to restart the vehicle to correct the failure. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Frontier Motors Incorporated (31406 US-18, Winner, SD 57580) on numerous occasions and diagnosed with electrical system failure. The dealer reprogrammed the power steering angle sensor and rear differential clutch sensor; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. A case was being processed by the Better Business Bureau under the Lemon Law and was awaiting final repair notice from the dealer. The failure mileage was 1,574.
Recently bought a car that I believe they are illegally passing the inspections on. They proclaimed that fixed a major part to keep the tires on my car tie rods and cv axel. Just short time after it looked like the part was never replaced just tightened up and shortly after we had all kinds of issues with the brakes and anything that keeps the car driveing safely the brakes went out on me so I called to see what they did and why they never fixed it the berry next day they repo the car as if they are trying to hide and cover up the scams they have on people my kids are in that car daily it should be never passed the inspection we have had to pay for most of that. I believe all the cars in there lot need to be inspected by a federal agent or something I've found alot of the same complaints online about same issues and I even know other people who have bought from them all with the same issues they are fraud and you need to stop them before someone gets killed and dies from one of there faulty vehicles my issue happened and happens while driveing they also took both of the brake caliber pins that hold it in place to the point to where it came off completely I almost died guys they are bad people to buy from
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving various speeds, the vehicle was involved in a crash on three occasions for the same failure. The contact stated that the brakes malfunctioned in the same format three times since june of 2014. During the first occasion, the brake pedal made a popping sound, vibrated, and traveled to the floorboard. In turn, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to rick hendricks chevrolet in buford, georgia where it was repaired. During the second occasion, the contact crashed into the preceding due to the brake failure. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to chattahoochee collision in buford, georgia where the vehicle was repaired. During the third time the contact rear ended a vehicle, the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to caliber collision in buford, georgia where the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that the vehicle would have to be diagnosed by a general motors dealer, and that the contact would have to pay for the repair because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.
- Risk
- If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, or Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.
Recall number 20V588000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a left-front brake pipe with a circumferential score at a random location along the length of the pipe as the result of the manufacturing process. If the brake pipe partially or fully fractured, brake pedal travel would immediately increase and front brake performance would be reduced.
- Risk
- If braking performance is reduced, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left-front brake pipe. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑8006.
Recall number 03V151000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Trailblazer brake failure
Which Chevrolet Trailblazer years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (12 complaints), 2004 (6 complaints) and 2006 (6 complaints).
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