Tailgate Problems of Chevrolet Trailblazer

Please consider a new requirement for all new vehicles produced that are equipped with a rear liftgate/tailgate, such as crossovers, SUV's and Mini-vans. There is no way to open the gate from the inside. There needs to be a latch to open all gates from inside the vehicle in case it becomes the only way out in case of fire or if sinking in water.

See all problems of the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer 🔎.

The indicated vehicle is my wife's. We bought it brand new on 09/26/2001. She has never towed anything and has city and highway miles. We have had numerous problems: instrument cluster, rear tailgate strap, right rear brake light, (3) solenoids, spare tire dropdown and deteriorated transmission lines. I have repaired all of the previous out of pocket (except for the strap and the spare tire dropdown). Now, my wife was on the way to the bicycle store in her truck, with the bicycle on the back. She was making a turn onto the main road when she heard grinding and squealing, and the speed dropped drastically. Luckily, it was around 10am when there is not much traffic on the road. Reading numerous posts on this website, it is the same problem everyone has had, the transmission sun shell, and no reverse. With 98911 miles, I was about to spend the weekend changing the fluid in the transmission to keep it to spec. Now, I'm looking at a very expensive bill of which I cannot afford. $30 is easier than $1200. And, I'm a manufacturing engineer, so I check fluids regularly, even though the oil change stations check them. Seeing that there are problems with these components, I think that general motors should produce a recall. I'm very disappointed that with all of the complaints, nothing has been done to remedy the situation. We will be calling the dealer that we bought the vehicle from first thing Monday morning.

See all problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer 🔎.

The fiberglass cowling on top of the rear hatch fell off while driving, dangling only by the brake light cable. I had to cut the wire and remove the piece of body and light. Went to dealer asking about repair, they said it was caused by "use of the tailgate during winter conditions of snow and ice. " they said "we see it all the time. " I asked, since it occurs with high frequency, if it is covered by warranty, bulletin or recall and they said "no, gm considers this an owner/operator error. " in other words, on this vehicle, a 4x4, the tailgate cannot nor should not be used, in the midwest, during periods of snow or ice? alas, I am driving without the mandatory center brake light. Please remedy this situation with proper replacement. Sadly, I see this condition on the same make and model more often than not.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph in the rain the rear of the vehicle started shaking and the rain guard trim kit on the tailgate broke and was hanging from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and removed the trim kit since it could have fallen off of the vehicle and hit someone's vehicle and caused a crash. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that there was no reason that the trim kit should have broken off of the vehicle because it was not damaged. The dealer stated that the contact was responsible for the repair since the warranty expired and there were no recalls. The contact stated the manufacturer should be responsible for the repairs since the failure was a design defect. The failure mileage was 74,000.

See all problems of the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer 🔎.

Part # 19120564 rubs on tailgate when opening . Does secure properly. Eventually, flew off while driving.

See all problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer 🔎.

High mount rear stop tail lamp assembly is loose. Opened the tailgate on 5/11/09 heard metal crunching. Ever since my back glass vibrates violently when going down the highway, increasing the possibility of it blowing out. On 5/17/09 after further investigation noticed that the top assembly has broken away from the truck on both sides (still being held on by the center) should this come off it puts me and drivers behind me at risk of an accident. This problem puts my children at risk of glass shattering on them or being involved in an accident. This is my only vehicle and I have no choice but to drive it until it goes to the shop this week. I have read several complaints about this online.

See all problems of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. In March of 2008, the rear hatch glass suddenly shattered. The hatch had just been in use prior to the failure. The contact heard a popping sound and realized that the glass shattered outward all over her yard and driveway. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the repair would cost $1,200. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop and, with the assistance of her insurance company, the glass was repaired. In September of 2008, she took the vehicle to the dealer because the rear windshield wiper malfunctioned. The dealer replaced the wiper motor. In December of 2008, she took the vehicle to a dealer because the tailgate was closing hard, grinding progressively worse, and the rear windshield wiper would still not work. The dealer repaired the failures; however, the wiper still malfunctioned. In January of 2009, the shattered rear hatch failure occurred again. The contact stated that no one touched the vehicle for at least three hours before the glass shattered. She took the vehicle to another dealer and they stated that it was normal wear and tear; therefore, they could not assist. The dealer also cited that there was poor terminal tension in the liftgate. The manufacturer had not been notified. The contact had photos of the shattered glass. The current mileage was approximately 77,000 and failure mileage was 68,563.

Driving to columbus, the upper molding around the third brake light got caught by the air flow bent up then broke free from two attachments. This allows the upper molding and brake slight to "flap" in the air flow. If this had broke free hit could have hit another car behind and/or broke the rear tailgate window. Did notice a creaking sound when opening tailgate early in the day. Looked and did not see any problems.

The contact owns 2001 Chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that the actuator for the tailgate malfunctioned, preventing the tailgate from opening properly. The contact mentioned that due to the failure, the blinker and brake light bulbs were unable to be replaced when faulty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician replaced the rear window, actuator and the brake light bulbs. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who then replaced the rear glass and actuator again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and they informed the contact that the failure was not a safety defect although the brake lights needed to be replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

See all problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Trailblazer 🔎.

Eliectrical failures. Rear passenger window would not go up, replacement of right rear taillight and fuse twice in three months and left taillight and fuse during that time. Front bumper facing comes unglued,I understand it is velcroed on.