Our analysis found that issues relating to the transmission, electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and what the automaker calls equipment account for the majority of issues
Lemberg Law is investigating consumer complaints about the 2024 Chevy Trailblazer. The fourth model year of this small, stylish, subcompact SUV has evidently not changed much from the 2023 model. Apart from front-end styling, there are more standard features and tech upgrades. Standard features now include an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The automaker promises “Adventure around every corner.” However, our investigation found that the most common problems consumers face relate to faulty radios, digital screens, and Apple CarPlay navigation software, and malfunctioning safety alerts, changing the face of adventure from excitement to risk.
Overview of Issues
Our investigation involved analyzing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and manufacturer communication records as well as scouring trailblazer forums.
The volume of complaints is low, but the number of communications from General Motors (GM) to dealerships is remarkably high. Since 2012, all manufacturer communications must, by law, be shared with the NHTSA and are on record for all to peruse. This can be an extremely useful resource, especially when dealerships maintain they don’t know why problems occur or are unable to correct them.
In terms of numbers, the most common issues consumers complain to the NHTSA about are related to forward collision avoidance and lane departure. Sometimes they blame both, and sometimes they add the electrical system to the complaint. The engine is also named a problem component by a Mississippi owner who was alarmed to find smoke coming from under the hood and through the interior vents. The Trailblazer only had about 400 miles on the clock.
However, our investigation revealed that most complaints pinpoint issues that relate to the radio, safety alerts, and the new vehicle cluster display. These are regarded by GM as electrical and/or equipment problems.
We also noticed several manufacturer communications that refer to possible transmission issues.
Complaints aired on various online forums highlight radio, new infotainment screens, Apple CarPlay, and transmission problems.
We mentioned that our investigation detected a large number of manufacturer communications on file with the NHTSA. For interest, we broke down the numbers. Out of a total of 187 communications, by mid-September 2024, nearly 30% related to the electrical system, 27% to the engine and engine cooling, 25% to equipment, and 17% to the powertrain, including transmission.
2024 Chevy Trailblazer Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Electrical System
6
6
Engine
6
6
Power Train
3
3
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
2
2
Service Brakes
2
2
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Complaints and online discussions indicate that safety is a big concern. When the radio and various alerts malfunction, drivers are immediately at risk. The same applies to reports of brakes not functioning. Aggressive shifting may also be regarded as a safety issue.
For ease of reference, drawing from all our investigation findings, we have combined NHTSA complaints with the issues highlighted on forums.
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Problems with Radio, Alerts and Display
It appears that these issues are related even though they do not always present together.
NHTSA Complaints
An August 2024 complaint from a New Jersey owner to the NHTSA is filed as a forward collision avoidance, lane departure, and unknown or other issue. The issue is losing radio audio and warning sounds for all safety alerts. After three visits to the dealership, the problem continues to recur. “The problem is random, no telling when it will occur. I have called GM customer service (and) they were useless.” On the day of the complaint, “the audio went out twice (with) no sounds for anything — blinkers, lane assist, side mirror alert, stop alert… nothing. This also affects the radio. The service department tells me they are dependent on the GM IT guys who in my assessment have no idea how to fix this. This is a safety and hazard problem with all sound going out for all alert systems.”
An owner from Georgia regards the shutdown of the vehicle cluster display and radio as a combined electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and lane departure issue. ”I was unable to see how fast I was going and (couldn’t access) any system info. It eventually came back on. During this time the car was continuing to drive but (I was) unable to see any lane-blindspot warning, speed, system controls, or warning events.”
In March 2024, not only were the safety alerts not working for an owner from Virginia, the emergency brakes also failed. “I had to slam on brakes just to stop from hitting the car in front of me. The emergency brakes did not work at all.” This problem was listed as a forward collision avoidance issue.
Forum Posts
A post on Trailblazer Talk highlights problems with the driver information center (DIC) and infotainment screens that went black, along with satellite radio and OnStar. He did, however, have access to FM radio but was unable to get anything to work on the DIC or touchscreen. “It stayed black for roughly 10 seconds and came back on. Five or so minutes later, (it) did the same thing again, over and over for about 6-10 times. I stopped the car and turned off the engine, opened the door, let the vehicle sit for about 10 minutes, and restarted. Everything went back to normal for a few miles until it decided to do it again.”
Another member stated, “From what I gather it’s a well-known issue.” He was told by the dealer the Trailblazer probably needed a software update. “Glitches are gonna happen with anything electronic but this one went bonkers. Even had the backup camera on the screen while running 65.” Updated software was installed, but the issue recurred on a 500-mile trip. “Time for Chevy to start replacing things until a fix happens.”
Continuing the conversation, another member said his Trailblazer with 500 miles had done this twice within five minutes. It only stayed off for about five seconds. There were no “trouble codes.”
“Well, it did happen to me, but only once shortly after I started the car. Infotainment went black and then came back after a few seconds.”
Someone looking to buy a 2024 Trailblazer asked for advice on Reddit. One owner responded saying he had owned his for six months and 18,000 miles. “Biggest gripe is (that the) infotainment system occasionally glitches and freezes. Other than that I can’t really complain.” Another member had the same problem. It was fixed with a software update.
What Dealerships Should Know
There have been three service bulletins about radio software versions from GM to dealerships. The first two are filed under electrical system/engine and equipment. The third is also included as a backover prevention problem.
The first bulletin, released in October 2023, relates to Radio Software Version 167.5. It includes the 2024 Trailblazer but doesn’t identify affected build dates. It states, “Some customers may comment on software -elated issues. Continuous improvement software updates are being released with improvements made in several areas. The cause of the condition may be software anomalies.”
The second bulletin, issued in November 2023, provides the missing build dates: July 1-July 6, 2023. The third update was also released in November 2023. An important addition advises dealerships to refer to a safety recall
Interestingly, the safety recall, A23242432, Intermittent Instrument Panel Blackout, doesn’t apply to the Chevy Trailblazer. Vehicles listed are the 2024 Chevrolet Trax, Buick Encore GX, and Buick Envista. Clearly, though, some Trailblazers have exactly this problem.
Apple CarPlay
Yet another Trailblazer Talk member states that the screen (which isn’t specified) went black twice within 30 minutes. “It happened when I was working with Apple CarPlay so I am hoping the software issue as described above” (will fix the problem).
Two service bulletins acknowledge there is a problem with Apple CarPlay navigation apps, though these don’t relate to it causing screens to malfunction. They state, “Customers may notice at random times that their Apple CarPlay navigation apps may look distorted or not complete.” sometimes look pixelated, blurry, distorted or not complete.” They also state that their engineers are aware of the problem. However, they concede that there isn’t a fix. “To potentially mitigate the issue, customers can try to back out of the screen and cycle through a different app to come back to the screen and the issue may resolve itself for an undetermined period.”
This problem doesn’t only affect the Trailblazer. Other models listed are Chevrolet, Buick, and various GMC vehicles. The first was issued on February 12, 2024, indicating that it applied to 2022 and 2024 Trailblazer models. It was reissued on March 22, 2024, this time stating that 2021-2024 are affected. But GM doesn’t have a solution.
Transmission Problems
A post in the TBSS Owners forum shares a transmission problem that causes aggressive shifting when slowing the 2024 Trailblazer down. The post states that it has happened “9 times out of 10” when braking and coming to a stop. “Also, when accelerating from a stop the car will jerk sometimes. To be clear, I am not stepping on the accelerator that hard to make it jerk or anything.” He adds, “I can also feel the shifting when accelerating but it’s not as aggressive as when slowing down.” An immediate response was, “Honestly, it’s not normal. The transmission should be smooth, especially when you’re not gunning it.”
There are a fair number of service bulletins that deal with transmission issues. For example, transmission snap rings may pop out causing certain codes. Some transmission cases reportedly leak fluid. One bulletin describes the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid. Another tells dealers how to “inspect the internal parts of transmission for any signs of abnormal wear to correct customer concerns of loss of forward gear, slipping, and malfunction indicator lamp illuminated.” There is also one that provides ninth-gear operation information so that dealers can “respond to customers that may comment on transmission shift operation.”
There are numerous reports that Service Update N242446290, published in June 2024 may have a serious transmission fault. It relates to an issue with the clutch backing plate retaining ring and/or the clutch piston retaining ring inside the transmission. Vehicles that are affected will need to have the clutch piston housing replaced at a dealership before July 31, 2025. Even though our investigation found that this service update relates to the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer, Blazer, Traverse, and Traverse Limited, it does not appear to be on the NHTSA website.
Potential Lemon? What Are Your Next Steps?
If your Chevy Trailblazer has any of the issues described or any other problems, if they recur and affect the value or use of your vehicle, you might have purchased a lemon. Don’t guess though. Lemberg Law will assess your problems free of charge.
We have carried out countless investigations and have subsequently negotiated settlements for many lemon owners. All you have to do is call our Helpline or fill out a contact form. If you have a lemon on your hands, according to the law, GM will have to pay your legal fees.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
