Is the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT a bad year?
189 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Trailblazer EXT years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT are in line with other Trailblazer EXT years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Trailblazer EXT owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 54,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 129 (68%) | 45k–71k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 41 (22%) | 40k–100k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 54,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 189 complaints: 2 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 1 reports an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT: 6
Fluid may enter into the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board, causing window switches to become inoperative. The protective coating may not eliminate the risk that the circuit board could short and result in a fire, even while the vehicle is unattended.
In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate. Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight. A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid. If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 95
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Loss of Headlights
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
Every Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT year
2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2006 · All Trailblazer EXT years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT a bad year?
189 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Trailblazer EXT years. At 54,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (129), electrical system (41), exterior lighting (11), body structure (9), visibility and wipers (8).
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 15V-599), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 15V-519), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 14V-404), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 13V-248) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.