Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer Reliability Report
The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer has a good reliability standing and no recalls. Watch for screen glitches, noisy brakes, and turbo trouble.
Recalls
0
Complaints
62
Complaint Rate
5.6per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$784
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,000–$2,200
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Rates above average among 2023 SUVs with no recalls, unlike 2022, though touchscreen faults, brake noise, and turbo failures show up in owner complaints.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (13)
- SERVICE BRAKES (11)
- ENGINE (10)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is year 3 of the First generation (RE6).
- Redesigned for the 2021 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- A refresh arrives in 2024.
- 1st generation Trailblazer (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
2021: First generation (RE6) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2023: This Model Year
2023 is year 3 of the First generation (RE6).
2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Generation data is based on publicly available information and may not reflect all regional variations.
Should You Buy the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Good standing, and better than most. Among 2023 SUVs it rates above average, and it lands in the middle of the six scored Trailblazer years. The 2022 rates worse, with more complaints and one recall. The 2024 rates about the same, though it has had less time to collect complaints. Federal records show no recalls for this year.
Electrical faults lead the complaints. Touchscreens go black or freeze, phones fail to connect, and the backup camera can stay on in every gear. A few reports describe stalling and power loss. Brakes come next: squealing and grinding that starts as early as 2,000 miles and often returns after dealer work. The most serious pattern is turbo failure. Owners see an Engine Power Reduced message and limp mode, usually between 25,000 and 60,000 miles, and repairs often do not hold.
Test the screen, phone pairing, and camera before buying. Listen for brake noise at low speeds. Ask for records of any turbo or wastegate work.
Compared to the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer, which scored 2 points higher. See also the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +No recalls issued
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Touchscreen goes black, freezes, pixelates or crackles with static, and phones... (13 complaints)
- −SERVICE BRAKES: Squealing, chirping, and metal-on-metal grinding at low speeds is the dominant... (11 complaints)
Compare 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer With
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (13)
- SERVICE BRAKES (11)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
5.6
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 11.3
Safety Incidents
4
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 18.5%
Safety Technologies
Chevrolet TrailblazerRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$784
Repair Frequency
0.4
unscheduled repair visits per year
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
28–31 MPG
Running cost: $2,800–$3,000/yr
Fuel + repair
26–29 city / 30–33 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailblazer FWD 1.3L 3-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 29 | 33 | 31 | $2,000 |
| Trailblazer FWD 1.2L 3-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 29 | 31 | 30 | $2,100 |
| Trailblazer AWD 1.3L 3-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 26 | 30 | 28 | $2,200 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Park and shut off the car several times; confirm no "Shift to Park" message appears and the doors lock.
Pair a phone, run CarPlay, then shift from reverse to drive and confirm the backup camera image clears.
Press the OnStar button and place a Bluetooth call to confirm the module and microphone work.
Drive slowly through repeated stops with the windows down and listen for brake squeal or grinding.
Accelerate onto a highway at 65 to 70 mph and watch for an "Engine Power Reduced" message.
Ask for service records showing turbocharger, wastegate actuator, or coolant control valve repairs.
Inspect the exhaust joint behind the catalytic converter for rusted or broken bolts.
Shift into reverse on a slight incline and confirm the car moves without revving as if in neutral.
2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer Common Problems by Component
62 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13 complaintsSafety-relatedThe touchscreen goes black, freezes, pixelates or crackles with static, and phones and CarPlay often fail to connect. The backup camera can stay on in every gear, hiding warning messages, and the radio sometimes keeps playing after shutdown. Failed OnStar modules also take out the Bluetooth microphone and remote start. More serious reports describe stalling, power loss, and a flickering instrument cluster, with one crash-related case. Keys stick in the ignition and push buttons refuse to shut the car off. Dealers often cannot find a cause, and radio replacements do not always last.
SERVICE BRAKES
11 complaintsSquealing, chirping, and metal-on-metal grinding at low speeds is the dominant complaint. It often starts within the first few thousand miles and gets louder over time. Dealers resurface rotors, grease parts, or swap pads, and the noise comes back. Several owners say dealers called it normal for the pad material or refused further work while engineering looks for a fix. A smaller group reports brakes that grab or jerk, ABS warnings, and weaker stopping than when the car was new.
ENGINE
10 complaintsTurbocharger failure is the main pattern. An "Engine Power Reduced" message appears, the check engine light may come on, and the car can drop into limp mode on the highway, sometimes unable to exceed 30 MPH. Repairs to the turbo or wastegate actuator often do not hold, and the failure returns. Other reports cover a failed coolant control valve, engine debris in the oil pan requiring a replacement engine around 66,000 miles, broken exhaust bolts at the catalytic converter, a cracked coil that left a car stranded, and evap purge valve faults.
POWER TRAIN (9 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
9 complaintsAfter the shifter is put in park, a "Shift to Park" message stays on. The car will not fully shut down or lock, and the battery drains. Fixing it can mean cycling the ignition repeatedly, and one dealer replaced the transmission control assembly. One car stalled at 68 MPH with the same message and would not restart. Other complaints describe erratic or lurching shifts, reverse that revs without moving despite repeated valve body replacements, a shifter leaving park on its own, and no upshifts in extreme cold.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 complaintsSafety-relatedAn under-hood fire while driving is the most serious report, on a car with 5300 miles and no prior warnings. Exhaust systems fall off when bolts at the junction between the catalytic converter and the pipe to the muffler rust through. Other complaints repeat problems seen elsewhere: a "Shift to Park" warning that drains the battery and OnStar modules that stop working, with one dealer offering to split the cost. Isolated reports cover a sunroof shade jumping its track and water trapped inside the front doors.
AIR BAGS (4 complaints)
AIR BAGS
4 complaintsSafety-relatedAirbags failing to deploy in crashes is the main concern. These complaints include 3 crash-related reports and 4 injuries. One frontal impact at about 45 mph brought no airbag deployment, no collision warning, and no automatic braking. In a rollover, a driver reported the side curtain deploying late and pinning their head. Going the other way, one car's side airbags deployed at highway speed during a lane change with no impact, no debris, and nothing nearby.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (3 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3 complaintsThe engine overheats, with the temperature needle reaching Hot and the check engine light coming on at low speed. When auto start-stop shuts the engine off at a stop, the screens and dash lights can go dark and the engine shudders on restart. Turbo trouble shows up here too: an "Engine Power Reduced" event on the interstate was traced to a turbo needing replacement at about 103,000 miles. One check engine light was traced to a faulty emissions control valve.
STEERING (2 complaints)
STEERING
2 complaintsLockups while driving, with a warning light on the dash, create a real loss-of-control risk. In one case the dealer said the steering unit could not be repaired and had to be replaced, and parts would take several weeks to arrive, with no rental provided. Another report describes the brakes applying on their own while accelerating and the wheel pulling right during a left turn. That problem came back even after the brake master cylinder was replaced.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that on several occasions, while the Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control was activated, and the brakes were inadvertently activated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was determined that three software updates needed to be completed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.
Chest Clip (1 complaints)
Chest Clip
1 complaint[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Date: 04/06/2025 To: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Subject: Urgent Safety Complaint Regarding Shyft DualRide with Carryall Storage Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combo (Sylva Pink) Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with one of your products: the Shyft DualRide with Carryall Storage Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combo (Sylva Pink), which I purchased on [XXX]. While using this product with my infant daughter, a dangerous malfunction occurred which resulted in a choking incident. The stroller/car seat combo posed a serious threat to her safety, and we are deeply shaken by what happened. Thankfully, we were able to intervene in time, but the potential for harm—or worse—was undeniable. We believe the design or construction of this unit may contain a defect that compromises child safety, and for that reason, we are reporting this incident not only to you, the manufacturer, but also to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for review and investigation. The product information is as follows: • Product: Shyft DualRide with Carryall Storage Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combo • Color: Sylva Pink • Date of Purchase: [XXX] • Retailer: Walmart • Serial/Model Number:[XXX] We request that this matter be addressed immediately. I am seeking a formal response, an investigation into the product line, and information on any existing recalls or known defects. I am also requesting a full refund or replacement, though no compensation can account for the distress and danger we experienced. Please contact me as soon as possible to confirm receipt of this complaint and to let me know the next steps. I am available by phone or email. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When Do 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Chevrolet Trailblazer Years
Best Chevrolet Trailblazer Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
2023
(Current Model)
2022
Chevrolet Trailblazer Years to Avoid
Chevrolet Trailblazer Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 76/100 | Good |
Chevrolet Trailblazer Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Does the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer have turbo problems?
Does the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer have brake noise problems?
Is the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer better than the 2022 or 2024?
Don’t buy a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (60/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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