Chevy’s Trailblazer dominated the car market through much of the 2000s but was pulled in 2009 over poor sales. A first-gen. model now costs around $5,000, making it an attractive budget option. But how much longer can you really get out of a 13-17-year-old SUV?
Key Points
- There’s no shortage of first-generation Chevy Trailblazers for sale, but most units now have over 150,000 miles on the odometer.
- Routine powertrain maintanence will up the odds of the SUV reaching 200,000 miles or more without burning a hole in your pocket.
- Trailblazer models from 2002-2006 are more likely to have engine issues, with many owners reporting failure as early as 65,000 miles.
- Units from 2002-2005 have four-speed transmissions that are more likely to need rebuilding or replacing before the 100,000-mile mark.
- Chevy reintroduced the Trailblazer in 2021 as a subcompact SUV, but the model still needs more time on the road to tell how long it might last.
How Long will a Chevrolet Trailblazer Last? Owners Across the Internet Often Claim 12.5 to 17 Years of Reliable Service
The Chevrolet Trailblazer started as an upper trim level for the 1999 Blazer but got its own midsize, body-on-frame platform in 2002. This first-gen. Trailblazer ran until 2009 before Chevy pulled the SUV from the U.S. market over poor sales.
For those wondering how long a Chevy Trailblazer will last, owner reviews across sites like Vehicle History and J.D. Power, and online forums like TrailVoy, consistently boast 150,000-200,000 miles. That equates to about 12.5-17 years of service driving 12,000 miles annually.
While some owners quote minimal maintenance, regular service is typically crucial to a Trailblazer’s longevity. Of course, some years fare better than others for one reason or another, a topic we’ve covered in detail in another article.
Regular Maintenance, Including On-time Oil Changes and Transmission Fluid Flushes, is Crucial to a Chevy Trailblazer Lasting 200,000 Miles or More
Consider a vehicle’s endpoint to be when the cost to keep it running outweighs its worth.
A 2009 Trailblazer has a Blue Book value of about $6,600. With an engine or transmission replacement costing at least half that, timely, routine maintenance is paramount.
The standard engine in most Chevy Trailblazer trims is a 4.2L Vortec V6, which struggled early on but became a solid motor. Unlike newer vehicles, which boast 7,500-10,000-mile oil change intervals, the first-gen. Trailblazers fall closer to every 3,500-5,000 miles.
An oil filter helps keep the oil free of contaminants, but it will clog over time. In general, you should replace the oil filter every other oil change, or about every 7,000-10,000 miles.
For the transmission, the fluid must be flushed and replaced every 10,000-15,000 miles for optimal results. Be sure to consult the owner’s manual for a full-service breakdown.
Looking at a Chevrolet Trailblazer from 2002-2006? Be Cautious as a Few Too Many Owners Mention Engine Failure Before 100,000 Miles
With engine and transmission replacements costing more than half the value of the average first-gen. Trailblazer, avoiding years with powertrain issues can work in your favor.
As stated earlier, a 4.2L V6 is standard in most models, and while it had issues early on, the final few years were decently reliable. Other engines you might run across include 5.3L and 6.0L V8s, but these are exceptionally rare.
NHTSA complaints, sorted by Car Complaints, show models from 2002-2007 struggle the most with engine problems. A few mentions include stalling, misfiring, unintended acceleration, knocking sounds, and in some cases, outright seizure.
Failure reports occur as early as 65,000 miles and cost an average of over $4,500 to fix. No matter the year, it’s best to have a technician inspect the engine for excess internal wear.
Chevy Trailblazer’s Automatic Transmission is the SUVs Weakest Link, with Models from 2002-2005 Being Especially Troublesome
Chevy used the same four-speed automatic transmission in all Trailblazer models, though the rare SS trim got a heavier-duty version. Unfortunately, its first few years were not very reliable, with reports of failure coming in at an average of around 100,000 miles.
Drivers report the transmission not shifting out of park, reverse, or past third gear. Most drivers mention having to rebuild or replace the unit for an average of over $2,000.
Chevrolet Trailblazers from 2002-2005 are the most likely to run into transmission failure. Thankfully, mentions of the transmission going out are far less frequent in later models.
Be sure to have the technician also inspect and test the transmission. It’s very possible the unit has already been replaced and you can reap the benefits. However, be cautious if it’s still running on the original transmission and has over 100,000 miles.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Returns for 2021 as a Subcompact, Lacks Reliability Record of First-generation Models
While its dimensions have shrunk considerably, Chevy brought the Trailblazer nameplate back for 2021 as a subcompact SUV.
Early figures from the NHTSA look promising, with few powertrain-related issues being reported. Still, 2021 and newer Trailblazers need more time on the road to see how they fare long-term.
Should You Buy a High Mileage Chevrolet Trailblazer? Stick with Models from 2007-2009 for the Most Reliable Experience
For the best odds, look for a 2007 or later model, which have far fewer reports of failing powertrain components.
If you can find a unit with around 150,000 miles and the engine sounds normal, the transmission shifts smoothly, and a trusted mechanic says it’s been well maintained, it will likely last another few years at least.
Considering Blue Book prices range between $4,000 to $6,000 for a later model, a high mileage Chevy Trailblazer can be a fantastic overall value.
Photos: Chevrolet
