Brakes, forward collision avoidance, and engine issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Shift to Park light on? Read about our class action investigation into the Shift to Park issue.
The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a smaller crossover model designed to keep the budget in check. The automaker claims it is a “small SUV with big horizons,” but the only big thing some customers are seeing are malfunctions. They are dealing with faulty brakes, engine issues, and defective forward collision avoidance system. There are also complaints that the 2022 Trailblazer structure is cheaply made.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2021 2023
The most common problem owners of the 2022 Chevy Trailblazer are complaining to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) about are brakes that squeak, fail to engage, and sometimes fail. Some of these are combined with complaints relating to engine problems.
Complaints about forward collision avoidance focus on malfunctions and error messages that are, themselves, erroneous!
Other problematic components and systems singled out by owners on the NHTSA complaints platform are the powertrain, steering, fuel/propulsion system, and vehicle speed control.
Of course, the NHTSA isn’t the only platform that vehicle owners use to voice their dissatisfaction. And a complaint on Edmunds alerts us to structure issues and accusations that the 2022 Chevy Trailblazer is cheaply-built.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Power Train | |
| Steering | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Structure:body | |
| Vehicle Speed Control |
With any brand-new car, it’s expected that the engine is going to be functional and reliable. Yet, this Trailblazer model has an engine that deeply reflects bargain-basement pricing. Problems range from the engine light continually coming on to overheating.
Even the manufacturer, General Motors (GM) has started expressing concerns over the engine build. Service Bulletin #PIP5829 talks about how the DTC P0299 might present itself and a turbocharger replacement could become necessary. This is a major engine repair that should never be present on a new SUV, yet it is.
An NHTSA complaint from an owner in Wisconsin states that even when the Trailblazer’s engine fans are activated, the engine overheats.
“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.” While the cause of the failure wasn’t initially determined, the owner was later informed by the dealer that the failure was a transmission issue.
This same owner also had brake problems.
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The complaint goes on to say: “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.”
This is one of 5 complaints filed with the NHTSA between January 24 and September 16, 2022. Another, which also mentions the engine, states that the “check engine light keeps coming on. Hard shifting.” And it “takes too long for the brake to engage.” The fuel injector was replaced, even though the car was only 3 months into service.
A complaint from an owner in Illinois states that while driving at 40 mph, “the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. During the failure, the vehicle accelerated to speeds in excess of 100 mph. Additionally, during the failure the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle did not slow down or stop.” The driver has to shift to Park to stop the Trailblazer. It was then towed to the local dealer.
There are also several complaints about brakes making squealing noises. An owner from Missouri says the Trailblazer’s brakes sometimes squeal and when stopping at slow speeds, the “brake pedal goes soft. The SUV pulls to the left slightly and a metal-on-metal sound begins to emit from the driver’s side braking system. The sound changes to something I can only describe as from a video game or a raptor from The Jurassic Park movies.” Even though the owner says that “it feels like the car won’t stop on time when this happens,” the dealership isn’t able to reproduce the sound.
An Owner from West Virginia has taken his 2022 Chevy Trailblazer back to the dealership three times because of forward collision avoidance and possibly powertrain issues. The problems started when there were only 500 miles on the clock. While driving at 70 mph, the cruise control activated, and “the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated erroneously.” There were no warning lights. The complaint also says that the vehicle occasionally accelerates independently.
A Michigan owner experienced several malfunctions when the vehicle was little more than a month old, with less than 2,000 miles on the clock. For example, when going at highway speed on an expressway, the adaptive cruise would apply hard brakes:
While driving on a highway the instrument panel displayed a warning message, Service Side Detection System. A GM Dealer ran a diagnostic test that showed the following codes:
Advice from the dealer is “to bring (the) vehicle back if this message pops up again.” This is because, according to the dealer, “these are just notifications, and (they) may not be able to find anything.”
No one is expecting the Trailblazer to be a Mercedes-Benz, but it’s fair to assume it won’t fall apart. Yet, that’s not true either.
One Edmunds review points out, “After driving this thing for the past 3 months however I’m extremely disappointed. While the economy is decent, the engineering and build quality are abysmal. Surface scratches & paint swirls from the beginning. Rubber & plastic trim pieces literally falling off vehicle. Wireless charging pad never worked from day one. Cruise control stopped working after the first month. Cheap plastic interior surfaces scratch and dull from even minimal normal usage. Rough idle at start up many days. Transmission often jerks forward when placed into drive.”
The review goes on to state: “Keep in mind, this is a 2022 vehicle with only 2600 miles on it. When I’ve taken my Trailblazer into the local Chevrolet dealership, they’ve been unresponsive to my concerns. Basically I’ve been told, you get what you pay for and I shouldn’t expect great quality on an entry level SUV. I can’t even imagine what I’m going to have to deal with being locked into a lease with this rapidly deteriorating vehicle for the next 3 years. I’ve lost what little confidence or trust I had left for American vehicles after owning this Trailblazer.”
Already, there’s a recall that reflects how poorly this vehicle has been built. NHTSA Campaign Number 21V440000 says that more than 135,000 vehicles could be equipped with an emergency jack that is prone to fracturing while in use. If this happens while someone is changing a tire, the SUV could collapse and cause serious injuries. Apparently, it’s difficult enough when a tire needs to be changed, Chevy had to make it even more dangerous.
With lemons dating back a decade, you may not be surprised if you buy one. But what do you do if you think that your 2022 Chevy Trailblazer is a lemon?
Don’t panic. Lemberg Law can help.
You don’t need to be stuck with your lemon. We will assess your case and do whatever we can to get you some sort of settlement. It may be a buy-back, a replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement. We will represent you for no out of pocket cost. The law states that GM will pay your bill!
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
See more posts from Brian Jones
I have a 2022 Chevy Trailblazer and so far haven’t encountered any of these problems. I do occasionally get a squeal from the brakes. My mileage is 36,300.
I have a 2022 Trailblazer. The cruise control does not work. The dealership said they can’t find anything wrong. My car is in park but it keeps telling me to put it in park.
Translation: Problem with park. The light tells me to place in park when it’s in park. I have a 2022 trailblazer.
Original: Problème avec park la lumière me dit placer aux park alors qui est aux park j’ai un trail blazer 2022
We have a 22 Trailblazer RS. The first year had no complaints. Now, the light comes on daily and beeps to put in Park when it is in Park and shut off (been waiting 2 months for part according to garage). The rear light for your foot to open hatch only lights up half the time and always works at the garage. Keyless remote can be in cupholder and screen says “no remote detected” it takes several attempts to start every morning. Brakes squeak regularly, garage says pads and shoes are good. Several times in past 2 months when opening rear driver side door, the hatch opens (the keyless remote is always on front seat in my purse.) And also twice while driving its like a power surge of some sort and the radio screen goes black for a second. But the garage says there are no codes. I have to miss work to take to the garage for them to tell me nothing is wrong! We are not happy.
My car completely stopped working at 400 miles the dealership I bought it from had to tow it back from a place 45 min away. They had to replace the transmission and engine. I kept telling them that there was a problem with my cruise control because it wouldn’t come on. The dealership told me it was normal and had me drive on it for a month before they could get me in. I brought the car in and it turns out that my car needed a new braking system. Just recently my car started acting like it did when the transmission went out. I’m worried that I’m gonna be stuck with a car that won’t work because no one seems interested in checking it out.
I have a 22 trailblazer that when I park a light comes on that says shift to park, it started about 2000 miles before the Gm warranty expired. They don’t have the part to replace it. Dealership says they don’t know when the part is going to be available, in the meantime I have to expend several minutes every time I have to park wiggling with the shift stick from park all the way to Drive or L for the light to come off. Otherwise it keeps on beeping and it won’t turn off. All the dealerships in Austin and San Marcos Tx don’t have loaner cars, they want me just to leave my Trailblazer just at the dealership and won’t even tell me how long is going to take for my car to get fixed. How am I suppose to get to work without a car?
I bought my 2022 Trailblazer last July. January I started having problems. My car has been in the shop for a MONTH now. They don’t know what’s wrong with it. It has gone in 4 times in the last 5 months. First time was in January because my whole car shut off while I was driving. Power steering went out, breaks locked up, emergency break wouldn’t work. I was about to get on the interstate. Talk about being terrified. It got towed to the dealership and they told me that the car needed a update. It got a update. March comes around. I’m driving the car and the car starts jerking and grey/white smoke comes out the back. Immediately had it towed. They said they fixed it and it needed another update. Few days later I’m driving the car and it starts stalling and white smoke comes out the back. Took it to the dealership again. Said the wires weren’t placed correctly. They gave me back the car and few days later my windows wouldn’t roll down and the car won’t shut off once you turn it off. The dealership won’t do lemon law because “The same thing isn’t wrong with it.” Its all computer based issues. They have taken the car apart twice and they can’t find a issue. I’m getting very frustrated because the dealership say there’s nothing wrong and that they will extend the warranty. I am moving across the country in the next month and I am sure as heck not driving THAT.
2022 trailblazer LT 25k miles. Shift to park light came on if you guys know what that means with Chevys. Went to dealer “supposedly“ fixed it. It just started doing it again!
Regret buying this car.
The lines on the backup camera don’t appear, the car won’t connect to the phone and the radio and electronic screen stays on for a significant length of time after turning off the engine and opening the driver door. It is like the entire electronics system is delayed at connecting and then delayed at shutting down. This doesn’t happen every time but is increasing in frequency. Car has 2100 miles.
I have a 2022 Trailblazer that I financed last year on July 2021. Within a month of having it I’ve noticed the break pad gets stuck. The shocks are making noise front and back. Everytime I passthrough a humo it’s looks like I’ve hit on something hard. The ailments were off. Check engine lights keep coming on and off and car jerks. I took to the maintenance and said nothing is wrong with it took it in a few weeks later same thing nothing is wrong with it took the third time a month later same problem. I just saw my car drive off of the lot 10 minutes later my car back and wasted my gas. Said nothing iswron with it. Now since 2022 this year I’m experiencing faulty sensors of engine light reduced power. P0011 shows up car turns off it jerks. There a lot of codes that FIXD diagnosted. The fan stays on when you turn it off. I’ve reached out to lemon law it’s been 6 months and trying to get a settlement. I waste too much gas because of the sensors $100 a week. This is my only vehicle. Don’t have family to help drive me around.
I have a 2022 trailblazer and the light came on to service the power steering after three months and still comes on and off plus the cruise control also works and not work occasionally and now the engine jerks whe. It shifts from first gear showing these cars have transmission issue as well and I have only had the car since March of this year I feel I have a lemon car and dealership not helpful
So I am reading these comments and I just purchased a new 2022 Trailblazer LT on July 14th. I have 2,916 miles and so far no issues. In fact it has been a great driving experience.
I am having problems with the Emissions System. I took it to the dealership and they charged me $150 for the diagnostic fee and wanted me to pay for parts and labor not covered under warranty. However, I researched the Chevrolet website and found that the parts, labor, and diagnostic fees are covered under warranty. I took my car back to have repairs completed about 3 weeks later and the parts and labor were covered and I will be receiving a refund of my $150 in the next week. I had my care for 4 days and the check engine light is on again and it refers to the Emissions System needing to be diagnosed, again, this is so ridiculous after being reassured all was fixed!! So, I will be taking my car in for the 3rd time, on August 6th to be diagnosed for emission system problems. It takes a lot of time and money on my part, to be having problems with my 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
The headlights are terrible. On low beam there’s a dark shadow looks like a bat.couldnt see 100 yards and the high beam doesn’t help to see further ahead only brighten the sides. Had the dealership adjust the light up helped very little. I bought this car for my daughter first car .iam afraid she might hit a deer or worse a pedestrian.