Chevrolet Trailblazer Steering Problems
Owners have filed 180 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Chevrolet Trailblazer across 14 model years. The 2002 model year has the most (42). The words owners use most often: “rack pinion” (7% of reports).
- 180steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 26mention a crash
- 21mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 31%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rack pinion: mentioned in 13 of 180 complaints (7%)
- Steering pump: mentioned in 10 of 180 complaints (6%)
- Tie rod: mentioned in 10 of 180 complaints (6%)
- Making turn: mentioned in 10 of 180 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 126 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 180 complaints, 26 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 21 an injury.
Chevrolet Trailblazer steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Trailblazer | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2024 Trailblazer | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2023 Trailblazer | 2 | 3% | 25,000 |
| 2022 Trailblazer | 5 | 5% | 9,026 |
| 2021 Trailblazer | 6 | 3% | 160 |
| 2008 Trailblazer | 11 | 6% | 63,218 |
| 2007 Trailblazer | 23 | 3% | 76,118 |
| 2006 Trailblazer | 26 | 2% | 90,000 |
| 2005 Trailblazer | 20 | 1% | 68,864 |
| 2004 Trailblazer | 13 | 1% | 32,889 |
| 2003 Trailblazer | 26 | 3% | 39,384 |
| 2002 Trailblazer | 42 | 4% | 47,265 |
| 2000 Trailblazer | 2 | 8% | 30,100 |
| 1999 Trailblazer | 1 | 25% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Model years: 2006
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
About a year ago I brought my car to the dealership because my computer blacked out which resulted in losing power steering and braking ability. I was told they hooked it up to the computer and found nothing and sent me on my way. Last week this same thing happened 5x in one day and I lost all…
The incident involved a 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer, purchased new in late February 2025. The failure appears related to the vehicleâs electrical/charging system and associated control modules, resulting in a sudden loss of critical safety systems. The vehicle was towed by GM Roadside Assistance…
The vehicle intermittently warns about a Power Steering issue with no other indications to the problem. There are no physical issues detected while driving. The error displays at random times and will reset intermittently. This started occurring at the same time the car constantly indicates that it…
Experiencing reduced speed, rattling noise, check engine light, power steering light on. Chevy app shows throttle control system and antilock break system error messages. Took to Chev dealership. Advised it was fuel injector (1 /4 was burned out). Had all 4 replaced ($3000). Picked up car on a…
While driving, a service warning came on that reads "Service Power Steering" - when that came on, the brakes ceased to work properly and required significant force, causing a big delay in braking. It is not safe to drive due to the limited braking. This mirrors the recall situation for other 2021…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Trailblazers have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 180 owner complaints about steering for the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Trailblazer steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Chevrolet Trailblazer?
The most frequent phrase is “rack pinion”, in 13 of 180 complaints, followed by “steering pump” (10).
Other Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
- Electrical System problems (2,355)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (1,401)
- Exterior Lighting problems (761)
- Power Train problems (714)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (383)
- Air Bags problems (382)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (354)
- Visibility problems (348)
See all Chevrolet Trailblazer problems.