2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT from North America - Comments

Upon driving it home for the first time, I noticed that the steering wheel makes a humming noise when turning. It is a very annoying kind up whimper, along with a "low on power steering fluid" noise/vibration.

Upon pressing the brakes for the first time, I heard a noise that was abnormal. It sounds loose, and makes a noise like metal upon metal. The pedal moves quite a distance before the brakes actually are applied.

Mind you, these happened on a brand new SUV. I am baffled as to why this SUV was actually released from the factory like this.

Upon opening the rear window glass for the first time, I noticed that it is uneven, and one piston reaches its climax before the other, resulting in the glass sitting at a crooked angle.

On top of this, the defogger coiled wires leading to the rear glass are too short, and almost come unplugged when the rear glass is fully opened. With only a slight bump when loading/unloading, they will be ripped off for sure.

The heat gauge is very erratic. When fully warmed up, it might read high, or low. I don't think it should be drastically changing like it does, while I am driving!

Well, I'm sure these are only the beginning of my adventures with this vehicle.

After reading other posts, I simply can't wait to find out that my brake lights don't work? Or maybe I'll get lucky and have to replace the transmission?

On a new SUV, it is abominable to think that my adventures will NOT be out in the great outdoors, but rather, the great indoors of the service waiting room!

Oh, compare crash test ratings before buying!!! The IIHS basically says this vehicle is dangerous.

Good points? I'm sure there are some, but they are currently overshadowed by problems.

I seriously doubt you even own one of these vehicles or have ever driven one. You are so full of it, it is obvious by your lame, vague descriptions of "problems". It's too bad that a comparable 4Runner costs at least $5000 more and isn't nearly as a good a vehicle as a TrailBlazer and therefore cannot compete so 10 TrailBlazers are sold for every 4Runner sold. Sales figures don't lie. Toyotas are such overpriced junk it's pathetic. Toyotas have *real* problems, not just "oh, the brake feels funny" or some other BS you make up. Toyota won't even have a recall for obvious defects because they think they're too good. I feel sorry for Toyota owners because I used to be one... well, actually I still am, but only because the piece of junk isn't worth anything and sits in my driveway waiting for me to jump start it (required every time I use it due to a poorly designed starter system) so I can haul logs or bricks or other garbage that I won't subject my new TrailBlazer to. It makes a good beater, but that's about it.

If Toyota is such a pile of junk, then why does your beloved GM simply put its name on Toyota vehicles? For example, Toyota Corolla, which is the best selling car in the world. Or how about Toyota Matrix? Not to even mention that I can think of a GM product that has a Honda engine.

The best GM, is really a rebadged Toyota!

The comment on this review calls the writer's description of problems, vague and lame, and refuses to believe that the problems exist.

However, he also claims that Toyota refuses to believe that his car problems exist either. Hmmmmmm, interesting.

No wonder you have all these problems, you have a one off, custom, 2005, V6 Trailblazer.

I'd have to say the reviewer doesn't really own a TB. If you noticed all of the problems the first time you drove it then why did you ignore them on the test drive? Unless you were stupid enough to buy the TB without driving it first then I don't believe the review is truthful. Another sign is the poor marks for performance and comfort again leading me to believe either you bought it without driving it (or even sitting in it) or you are lying. The V-6 comment is one more tip... but I guess there are many out there who don't research their $30K+ purchases enough to know what engine they actually are buying within their new vehicle.

There is no problem with the brakes. If a new car sits on the lot for a while before it is sold, rust will form on the disks and they will make noise when they are first applied. This could also be accompanied by a decrease in effectiveness, and/or the brakes grabbing. It goes away very quickly, and is completely normal. I have experienced this with every single brand of car I have come across - GM, Ford, Toyota, Mercedes, all of them...

There is nothing wrong with the brakes. This person just wanted to bash the TB. If you want to discuss real problems, how about Toyota engines blowing up due to sludge, or Honda transmissions failing before 40,000 miles?

This reviewer should be glad they have a TB instead of a 4-Runner. The TB is a much better vehicle by far. If I am not mistaken, it is the best selling SUV in its class, and I can see why. I particularly love the fact that it has an I6. Except for the stupid defective fan clutch on the earlier TB's which has since been corrected, GM really nailed that engine.

To the person who made the comment about GM selling rebadged Toyotas:

Do a google search for "Toyota Cavalier", yes that's right.. Toyota sold version of the lowly Chevy Cavalier in several overseas markets including Japan and didn't even bother to give it a different model name. What do you make of that?

Have you forgotten about the Trailblazer 390 hp SS? Why want the Toyota???//

For the sake of conversation, I'll note that my mother has an '05 TrailBlazer, 4x4 model with the inline-6. Her car now has roughly 35,000 miles on it, and in that time, it has been to the dealer to have the arms for the rear liftgate replaced after they collapsed and the heavy liftgate almost knocked me unconscious. The car has been in six different times for brake problems, and even now, one has to push the brake pedal well over half way to get the brakes to engage. The transmission shifts into second at about 15 and holds it until 55, then slamshifts into Overdrive, and the dealership claims that it's completely normal. The 4x4 does not engage about 50% of the time and then stays engaged even after you've turned the switch to 2wd. The rearview mirror fell off the windshield on the first freezing day after my mom bought the car. Oh, and of course, on a good day, it gets 17 mpg.

My family is a family of GM loyalists. My grandfather retired from GM, and my uncle is a manager with Buick, and yet because of my mother's TrailBlazer, when I was looking for a new car in 2006, I bought a Honda. My Honda has 30,000 miles now, and has been to the dealership for oil changes, and that's it. I've tried to get my mother to file a lemon-law claim on her car, but she won't do it.

Whether the first commenter really had the problems and didn't convey his thoughts well or he was lying, you have to trust that I am telling the truth. If you buy a TrailBlazer, don't say no one tried to warn you.

I leave AWD on my Trailblazer all the time, as I have gotten spoiled with the handling.

I have no issue with the heat as I have dual front and back climate control. It cools down pretty nicely with having a black SUV. I also ordered in with the extra dark factory tint.

My hatch wires work perfect. If someone is reading back in 2002, they are probably addressing the left rear tailight recall. I have not been back for a single issue with mine and love it.

I know the brake comment is due to sitting. I also own a GM Conversion Van, and after a couple weeks sitting it simply cleans the rotors off. I have all new drums and rotors, and know the brakes are perfect. It's from sitting only.

I am glad I am not having engine sludging and transmissions issues like you see on imports here.

I had a 2005 Trailblazer for 2 years, and that was the best automobile I ever purchased, the only problem was a rear breaklight went out, but I replaced the bulb and it was fine. I totalled mine in 2007, and still wish I had mine, everytime I see one on the road. I love you trailblazer:)!

I bought a brand new TB in 2006. Now it has 68,000 miles and I STILL LOVE IT! It is an extremely comfortable ride.

At almost exactly 50,000 miles a solenoid had to be replaced (it has something to do with the fuel tank emissions), which cost me $250 and that is the only thing I have ever had to have replaced.

I'm still on the original tires, the paint is as bright as on day 1, and everything still works perfectly.

I bought this model because of the large cargo area and the strong engine, but still it gets decent mileage. I get between 20 and 22 mpg, mostly highway commuting to work. I haul around stuff constantly, like a dozen 40-lb bags of compost, and have plenty of room and plenty of power.

With the rear seats laid flat, I've carried an eight-foot long folding table. I bought the optional rubber tray for the cargo area, and if a bag of dirt spills, or if my Rottweiler throws up, I can just pull out the tray, hose it down, and stick it back, and don't have to worry about the carpet underneath.

I like the dark tinted windows because from the outside you can't see what's inside.

I liked the On-Star and kept it after the initial free year. I use the On-Star phone instead of my cell when I'm driving. I use the emergency phone whenever I see problems on the road (including the time the trunk lid on the car ahead of me suddenly popped open and a person started waving frantically from inside.) I also like that I get the monthly e-mail telling the status of all the car's systems.

My biggest complaint is that the doors/windows leak air and the ride is not quiet because of the hissing noise the air makes. I took it back to the dealer and was told that all TB's have that problem, and it can't be corrected.

Except for the air noise, I love everything about my TB and would buy it again.