Last updated: 2026-10-10

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer
RELIABILITY SCORE: 77/100 (GOOD)

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer Reliability Report

The 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer rates good for reliability, but owners report a charging warning that says the car may stall.

Recalls

0

Complaints

19

Complaint Rate

1.9per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$784

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,000–$2,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity77/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs60/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity82/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Rates good with no recalls, but owners report a charging-system warning and early transmission trouble; 2024 drew more complaints.

Top Issues to Watch

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8)
  • POWER TRAIN (6)
  • ENGINE (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2025 is 1 year after the 2024 refresh refresh.

  • Year 5 in the First generation (RE6) (2021–present).
  • Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
  • 1st generation Trailblazer (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2021: First generation (RE6) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2025: This Model Year

2025 is 1 year after the 2024 refresh refresh.

Generation data is based on publicly available information and may not reflect all regional variations.

Should You Buy the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

Reliability is good, and this model year sits above average among 2025 SUVs and among the stronger of six scored Trailblazer years. Owners filed 19 complaints, and federal recall records show none. The 2024 and 2026 years rate about the same.

Electrical faults lead. A "service charging system" warning says the vehicle may stall because the battery is not charging, sometimes with dimming lights and a brief loss of power and steering. Dealers reportedly call it a known issue but have no fix. The backup camera can glitch and stay dark, and replacement cameras are on back order. Power train complaints come next: jumpy acceleration, a hard slam shifting from Reverse to Drive on a cold start, and one stall that needed a tow.

On a test drive, start the car cold and shift from Reverse to Drive. Confirm the charging warning stays off and the camera works. Ask for repair records covering the battery and transmission.

Compared to the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer, which scored 1 points lower. See also the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Acceptable reliability score
  • +No recalls issued
  • +Below-average complaint rate for SUV

Cons

  • −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: "service charging system" warning keeps appearing, saying the vehicle may stall... (8 complaints)
  • −POWER TRAIN: Transmission trouble shows up on nearly new cars (6 complaints)

Compare 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer With

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8)
  • POWER TRAIN (6)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

0

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

1.9

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 3.5

LowAvgHigh
Very Low

Safety Incidents

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2025 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.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 18.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Not Available)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard/Optional)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver/Roof)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Chevrolet TrailblazerRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5

Based 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

27–31 MPG

Running cost: $2,800–$3,100/yr

Fuel + repair

26–30 city / 29–33 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 2025 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Trailblazer FWD 1.3L 3-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (variable gear ratios)293331$2,000
Trailblazer FWD 1.2L 3-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (variable gear ratios)303130$2,100
Trailblazer AWD 1.3L 3-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic 9-spd262927$2,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

  • Start the car and watch the dash for a "service charging system" or battery warning during the whole test drive.

  • Shift into reverse several times and confirm the backup camera shows a clear image every time.

  • On a cold start, hold the brake, shift from Reverse to Drive, and feel for a delayed, hard lurch.

  • Accelerate through the 2nd to 3rd gear shift and watch for engine racing without the car picking up speed.

  • After the drive, look under the car for transmission fluid leaks.

  • Pair your phone, place a call, and listen for static through the speakers.

  • Run navigation, radio and OnStar for the full drive and note any blank screens or dropouts.

  • Have a mechanic confirm both front axle nuts are present and properly tightened.

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer Common Problems by Component

19 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

8
6
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8)POWER TRAIN (6)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)ENGINE (1)STEERING (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 complaints

A "service charging system" warning keeps appearing, saying the vehicle may stall because the battery is not charging. Reports also describe a flickering battery light, dimming lights and a brief loss of power and steering. Dealers reportedly call it a known issue but have no fix. The rear backup camera glitches in reverse and then stays dark, and replacement cameras are on back order. Other reports cite Bluetooth dropouts, high-pitched static on phone calls, and lights cutting out while driving.

8 complaints total

POWER TRAIN

6 complaints

Transmission trouble shows up on nearly new cars. Reported symptoms include jumpy acceleration, refusing to speed up, locking up and leaking fluid. In other cases the engine races without engaging on the 2nd to 3rd gear shift, or speed stays capped near 20 mph. Another report describes a delayed, violent slam on a cold-start shift from Reverse to Drive that lurches the car forward with the brake pressed. A stall while driving needed a tow. Losing power or lurching in traffic carries real crash risk.

6 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

The dash and infotainment screen go blank while driving. They come back after about 60 seconds with every warning light on. Navigation, radio, internet and OnStar also drop out day to day, which can leave a driver without directions or crash notification. Dealers point to a back-ordered radio and say no fix is available yet. A separate report describes a passenger-side axle nut coming off completely, a defect that could let a wheel come loose at highway speed.

3 complaints total
ENGINE (1 complaints)

ENGINE

1 complaint
2026-04-03

My vehicle started overheating out of no where towed it to the shop, it’s been there for 2 weeks they’re actively waiting for a manufacturer engineer to tell them what to do because they can’t figure out how to fix it. On top of that there have been a lot of overheating issues cause by different parts on the vehicle. There was another trailblazer in the at the same time as mine that was also overheating! A 2025 vehicle should not be having issues at this point gmc should just take all the trailblazers off the market! Also they need to change their manufacturing warranty on rentals because not one person should not have to pay out of pocket for a rental when it’s the manufacturers fault!

STEERING (1 complaints)

STEERING

1 complaint
2026-02-04

The incident involved a 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer, purchased new in late February 2025. The failure appears related to the vehicle’s electrical/charging system and associated control modules, resulting in a sudden loss of critical safety systems. The vehicle was towed by GM Roadside Assistance and is currently at an authorized Chevrolet dealership, where it is available for inspection upon request. While driving in Cambria, New York, the dashboard illuminated with multiple warning indicators and the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power steering and braking. The brake pedal traveled fully to the floor with no resistance and no braking effect. Steering effort increased dramatically. The driver was only able to avoid a crash due to favorable road and traffic conditions and was able to coast to a stop and pull off the roadway. This failure posed an immediate and serious risk of injury or death to the driver and others. The problem had occurred previously in the form of repeated warning messages. Beginning within the first week of ownership, the vehicle displayed “Service the Charge System Vehicle May Stall” warnings and since then has appeared hundreds of times. The vehicle was previously towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealership, where we were informed that General Motors identified the issue as a known software-related problem and advised that the vehicle could continue to be driven while awaiting a future update. The catastrophic failure occurred after this guidance. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Chevrolet dealership both prior to and following this incident, and General Motors has been involved through dealership communication. No police or insurance inspection has occurred, as no collision resulted. Based on the repeated warnings, dealer statements, and nature of the failure, the best assessment is an electrical or software-related malfunction, though the precise root cause remains UNKNOWN and requires investigation.

Best & Worst Chevrolet Trailblazer Years

Best Chevrolet Trailblazer Years to Buy

Chevrolet Trailblazer Years to Avoid

Chevrolet Trailblazer Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Chevrolet Trailblazer reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
202163/100Good
202268/100Good
202376/100Good
202478/100Good
202577/100Good
202676/100Good

Chevrolet Trailblazer Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202676/100-1Good03
2025(selected)77/100-1Good019
202478/100+2Good032
202376/100+8Good062
202268/100+5Good1102
202163/100—Good4182

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?
Yes, it rates good for reliability and above average against other 2025 SUVs. It is among the stronger of the six scored Trailblazer years. Owners filed 19 complaints and federal recall records list none. Electrical and transmission complaints are the weak spots to check.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Electrical problems draw the most complaints, with 8 filings, followed by power train problems with 6. Owners describe a battery charging warning, dimming lights, backup camera failures, and transmission trouble such as jumpy acceleration, hard shifts, and fluid leaks.
Does the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer have transmission problems?
Some owners report them, even on nearly new cars. Symptoms include jumpy acceleration, refusing to speed up, locking up, leaking fluid, and a hard slam shifting from Reverse to Drive on a cold start. One owner had a stall that needed a tow.
Has the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer been recalled?
No. Federal recall records show 0 recalls for this model year. Owners still report a charging system warning and transmission trouble, so a clean recall record does not mean those problems are absent. Ask a dealer about any repair history.
Is the 2025 Trailblazer better than the 2024 or 2026?
They rate about the same, all good with no recalls. The 2024 has 32 complaints, the 2025 has 19, and the 2026 has 3. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so the lower counts do not prove the 2026 is better.

Don’t buy a 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2025 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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