2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer: 8 recalls, 1108 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #05V455000 · 2005 · 123,592 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose May fracture and leak fluid.
Why it matters: If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were…
The fix: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on October 14, 2005.
Equipment Vehicle recall #05V552000 · 2005 · 32,068 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
Why it matters: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on March 31, 2006.
Airbags Vehicle recall #06V417000 · 2006 · 794 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Why it matters: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side May be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury May be increased.
The fix: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on November 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at…
Visibility (wipers, glass), Electrical Vehicle recall #12V406000 · 2012 · 278,174 vehicles
What's wrong: Fluid May enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short May cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short May also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
Why it matters: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
The fix: Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. Gm will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available. Buick
Visibility (wipers, glass), Electrical Vehicle recall #13V248000 · 2013 · 193,652 vehicles
What's wrong: Fluid May enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short May cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short May also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
Why it matters: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
The fix: Owners will be contacted and dealers will test the driver's door module. If the module is functioning properly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning properly, it will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. Gm will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC…
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #14V404000 · 2014 · 184,611 vehicles
What's wrong: Fluid May enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short May cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short May also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
Why it matters: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in August 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #15V519000 · 2015 · 429,170 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (hdm) May overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
Why it matters: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hdm, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #15V599000 · 2015 · 9,932 vehicles
What's wrong: Fluid May enter into the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board, causing window switches to become inoperative. Previously, the affected vehicles May have had their master power window switch module treated with a protective coating, instead of having it replaced.
Why it matters: The protective coating May not eliminate the risk that the circuit board could short and result in a fire, even while the vehicle is unattended.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install a new driver's door switch module, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 59 mention a fire, 40 injuries and 14 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel system (437): the most common themes are warning light on (102), stalls / loses power (48).
- Electrical (251): the most common themes are door / lock issues (99), electrical failure (86), fire / smoke (66).
- Fuel system (other) (113): the most common themes are warning light on (19), stalls / loses power (6).
- Exterior lights (112): the most common themes are electrical failure (32), warning light on (25), stalls / loses power (13).
The 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer has 1108 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 18 Trailblazer model years for complaints (2.8× the average Trailblazer year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (259 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 68,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (1466 complaints, 2 recalls), 2007 (732 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 6.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Premium |
| 6.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 16 | 14 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems?
Owners have filed 1108 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel system (437), electrical (251), fuel system (other) (113).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.2 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.