The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle jerked and vibrated abnormally. In addition, the thermostat temperature gauge increased, and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive or reverse. The vehicle was towed to the residence.
Chevrolet Trailblazer jerking problems
66 of the 7,173 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Trailblazer describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 66
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 70,414
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Won't shift 5Headlights 4Fuel gauge 4Transmission failure 3Stalling 3Harsh shifting 3Grinding brakes 3Whining noise 2
What owners say
Component Affected: POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION / TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULEDescription of Safety Defect:The vehicle is experiencing a severe, intermittent, and violent mechanical "garage shift" engagement lurch. This occurs specifically when shifting the gear selector from Reverse to Drive during a cold-start cycle.When the gear is selected, there is a distinct hydraulic delay followed by a violent mechanical slam that causes the entire vehicle to violently lurch forward. This unintended vehicle movement occurs even though the engine has naturally idled down completely below 1,000 RPM, and while the brake pedal is fully and firmly depressed to the floor.Safety Hazard and Consequences:This defect poses an immediate and severe safety hazard. The mechanical force of the lurch is strong enough to potentially overcome the vehicle's braking system or cause a foot-slip off the pedal, resulting in sudden, unintended vehicle movement. This creates a high risk of a low-speed collision, vehicle damage, or striking a pedestrian or property during tight parking or garage maneuvers. General Motors' internal service bulletins (such as Bulletin 24-NA-009) indicate known issues with sticking clutch regulator valves or solenoid over-travel causing line pressure spikes in these modern transmissions, yet no safety recall has been issued to permanently address this dangerous powertrain defect.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. During the failure, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle was jump-started. The Auto START/STOP function was disabled for the vehicle to operate properly. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact replaced the battery, and the failure was almost resolved. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The issue was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the RPM was abnormally elevated, and the vehicle jerked abnormally while shifting gears. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
The vehicle keeps vibrating binding lurching jumping when driving going in reverse and turning the car in a circle I took it in they replaces they rear end and transfer case on it there was a lot of metal shavings in both no clue or explanation why got the vehicle back over a month later to the same problems as before took it back in they went for a test drive with us and verified its still happening and that day they shrugged shoulders they dont know why or what's happing they supposedly got ahold of trailblazer and they said this is normal for these vehicles and safe to drive .the vehicle dont sound or feel very safe at all I am reaching out for help with this the vehicle does this every time you drive it
The ABS system in this vehicle flashes warnings at quick restarts and while holding the brake down, it has no “sponge” when this happens. The brakes squeal constantly. I’ve had them inspected at every single maintenance and there can be no flaw found. When driving on the interstate, the engine is very “jerky” almost like the transmission can’t keep up with the speed of 70-80mph (not always, but it is noticeable when it happens). At first I didn’t think much of it but with the mass recall of chevys identified, I believe it needs to go on record - particularly about the brakes.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that when the parking brake was released, the vehicle jerked. The contact stated when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked. The contact stated that whenever the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test within several days. In addition, the contact stated that the engine was recently replaced due to an oil leak. The vehicle had been serviced by the dealer several times due to the persistent failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact was informed by a mobile Safelite technician that there were minor spider web cracks on the windshield. The windshield was replaced by Safelite. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact also stated that upon pressing the Push to Start button to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered, made an abnormal sound, and then turned off. The contact stated that the failure recurred while starting the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a transmission bolt was missing. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that upon parking and turning off the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed while the gear shifter was in park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving with no vehicles nearby, the automatic emergency braking system engaged, causing the vehicle to jerk. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Vehicle will not shift when needed or suddenly shift when it shouldn’t be, causing a lurching motion of the car. Then, the vehicle would not be able to be put into reverse. Appears to be a transmission issue.
Brakes squeal & jerks
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine fans were activated however, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the engine thermostat as faulty. The thermostat was replaced, and the failure was remedied. Also, while driving the vehicle would jerk and hesitate while changing gears. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure was a transmission issue. No further information was available. Also, while driving 27 MPH, the service brake system failure" message suddenly displayed, and the brake pedal was hard while pressed. The parking brake was activated. Moments later the message "power steering failure" displayed and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake master cylinder was faulty and needed to be replaced. The brake master cylinder was replaced, and the braking and steering failures were remedied. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,051.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
- Risk
- These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
- Remedy
- Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. 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, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537, or hummer at 1‑866‑486‑6376.
Recall number 03V075000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The calibration of the transfer case control module could cause insufficient high speed gear engagement.
- Risk
- If the gear is not engaged, the vehicle can roll when the transmission is in "park" and a crash could result without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the transfer case control module calibration to increase gear engagement. Owner notification began november 6, 2001. 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 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 01V334000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles (4 wheel-drive). Some of these vehicles were built with a range shift collar in the transmission transfer case that contains cracks.
- Risk
- This condition could result in a complete fracture of the range shift collar and subsequent loss of vehicle forward and reverse gears, and the inability to maintain "park" position. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash resulting from unintended movement of a parked vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transfer cases and update the control module calibration. Owner notification began september 6, 2001. 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 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 01V283000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Trailblazer jerking
Which Chevrolet Trailblazer years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (20 complaints), 2005 (15 complaints) and 2006 (6 complaints).
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