DecodedCars2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Lt1/Lt3, 4dr SUV 4WD SS
- Engines
- 5.3L 8-cyl, 4.2L 6-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 14 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 191.7 in
- Curb weight
- 4,524–4,663 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 31 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a SUV - offered with 3 engines (5.3L 8-cyl, 4.2L 6-cyl and 6.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 192 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,524 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Lt1/Lt3).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 10% worse than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 TrailBlazer — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 TrailBlazer →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Lt1/Lt3 | 191.7 in | 74.4 in | 74.4 in | 113 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 4,524 lb | 54/46 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD SS | 191.7 in | 74.4 in | 67.7 in | 113 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 4,663 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrailBlazer 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 17 | -10% | $3,950 | 523 |
| TrailBlazer 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -15% | $4,200 | 555 |
| TrailBlazer 4WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -8% | $4,200 | 555 |
| TrailBlazer 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 16 | -8% | $4,200 | 555 |
| TrailBlazer 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | -26% | $5,850 | 635 |
| TrailBlazer AWD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | -25% | $6,300 | 684 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2008 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2008 Toyota Highlander | 26 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe | 20 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Touareg | 17 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Electrical System — 25 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 17 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Exterior Lighting — 13 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 95,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other TrailBlazer years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 1 | 12 |
| 2025 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 26 |
| 2024 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 36 |
| 2023 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 75 |
| 2022 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 112 |
| 2021 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 197 |
| 2009 TrailBlazer | 17 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 18 |
| 2007 TrailBlazer | 17 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 255 |
| 2006 TrailBlazer | 16 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 270 |
| 2005 TrailBlazer | 16 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 207 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →