If you’re looking into the Chevy Trailblazer, it’s surprisingly affordable, and some great things are going for the SUV. However, some common complaints say it’s more of an entry-level SUV. Here are the top three complaints you should be aware of before driving off into the sunset in your new Chevrolet.

There is frequent fuel level sensor failure in Chevy Trailblazers

RepairPal has some good information on the Chevy Trailblazer and the most common problems. When you start looking for a car, whether it’s new or used, it’s important to research whatever model you’re interested in to see whether it will hold up for the long haul. Since the Trailblazer is an affordable new SUV, what are the drawbacks?

The erratic nature of the fuel gauge may not seem like a big issue, but it garnered the most complaints from consumers. Some consumers reported that the count was off, while others shared that the gauge would get stuck on empty. The issue could be fixed in high-mileage vehicles by replacing the complete fuel pump module assembly. For the 2005 to 2007 models, GM agreed to pay for 50% of the repair costs, even though it affected the 2002 to 2008 models. In general, it is estimated to cost between $787 to $1,067 to resolve this issue.

With 544 people reporting this problem, you can see why it’s a big deal. The average number of miles it occurred was 91,740, although it could happen as low as 5,700 miles. 

Does the Chevy Trailblazer have AC problems?

From 2002 to 2008 Chevy Trailblazers around 114,075 miles, consumers reported that the HVAC blower motor would stop working at one or more speeds. Some reported specific rates no longer working, others temperature changes, and others said specific vents wouldn’t work. This is one of the model years with the most complaints.

This was due to a faulty motor resistor block and could be verified by checking the operation of the switch before taking it in for repairs. Three hundred thirty-six people reported the problem, which could occur at as few as 1,460 miles. The cost to fix it isn’t high, so this is one of the better problems to run into, if not annoying, in a hot location. Estimates put the cost to replace the motor at $118 to $155.

The cooling fan clutch may fail on this Chevrolet SUV

When the cooling fan clutch fails, it can cause excessive fan noise. Sometimes, it will cause the check engine light to come on. This repair is another cheap one, at least for the diagnosis, averaging $100. Model years 2002-2007 were affected, with 227 people reporting the problem.

Chevy Trailblazer owners generally noticed the problem during acceleration, and some shared that it felt like the transmission was slipping. One consumer suggested cleaning the electric clutch connector on top of the radiator before taking your vehicle in for a diagnosis if you experience this issue. The average mileage this issue occurred at was around 137,191 miles, but it happened as low as 12,000 miles for some people. 

Here’s what else to watch for in the Chevy Trailblazer

There were 30 total problems reported overall. The check engine light coming on due to a gas cap issue was the only other complaint that had more than 200 reports from consumers. Other topics included CD player failure, worn valve seats, and sticking camshaft actuators.

You can see a complete list of problems on their website. If you’re in the market for a used Chevy Trailblazer, the years with the most problems reported were 2006 and 2007, with 22 issues each. After that, the 2008 had 19, the 2002 had 15, the 2003, 2005, and 2009 had 14, and the 2004 had 13.

From the sounds of it, their debut years weren’t their most significant. At least Chevy started to up their game in 2010 and produced a much more reliable car after that. The 2021 Trailblazer is a new redesign, too, so it’s worth looking into.