How Long Do Chevy Trailblazers Last?

Originally starting its production back in 1998, the Chevy Trailblazer lasted only three years in its blazer trim line before being released as a separate model in North America.

The car was discontinued in America in 2008 and is still found in Asia and Brazil but made its return back in 2021. This car model would see seven years of production before being halted.

Since the Chevy Trailblazer is now back on the market, many people are asking “How long do Chevy Trailblazers last”?.

Still, looking at the model’s history, it is safe to say that you can expect an average of 200,000 miles from the Chevy Trailblazer.

This, however, is still not enough to justify whether you should get the new Chevy Trailblazer or even settle for an older model, which is why I will be looking into the lifespan and longevity of the Chevy Trailblazer to see how long you can expect the vehicle to last and how long it lasts when compared to its competitors.

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Chevy Trailblazer?

If you can drive 15,000 miles every year, you should be able to do so with the Chevy Trailblazer for more than 13 years, which should net you 200,000 miles or more which is good for Sports Utility Vehicles but nowhere near the best.

You can bump up the lifespan significantly if you give the vehicle proper care, but this will involve a lot of care to all the components of the vehicle and the car itself, so make sure you read the entire article as I will also provide all the different ways you can increase the lifespan of your Chevy Trailblazer.

Does Chevy Trailblazer Last Longer Than Other Similar Vehicles?

The older models of the Chevy Trailblazer had their fair share of issues that made a dent in the vehicle’s reputation.

This prompted a lot of comparisons against other competent vehicles to see which of them could stand out and prove to be more reliable, dependable, and trustworthy.

This has occurred yet again with the release of the latest model of the Chevy Trailblazer one year ago.

For this reason, I will be comparing the Chevy Trailblazer with three other well-known vehicles to see which of these cars lasts longer.

To make sure that the assessment is for the lifespan of the car, I will only compare factors of the vehicles which will directly affect the lifespan of the vehicle.

1. Chevy Trailblazer Vs. Ford Expedition

The first vehicle that I will compare against the Chevy Trailblazer will be the Ford Expedition, a competent Sports Utility Vehicle for a very long time.

• The Chevy Trailblazer starts beating the Ford Expedition when it comes to reliability, having slightly better scores across various reports and sources.
• It does, however, lag behind the longevity department, which the Ford Expedition is easily able to cover, being capable of reaching 300,000 miles which is 100,000 miles more than the Chevy Trailblazer.
• When it comes to problems, the Chevy Trailblazer has had only a few problematic issues, while many of the Ford Expedition models are riddled with issues.
• These problems are also better off fixed in the Chevy Trailblazer, which is $100 cheaper to fix than the Ford Expedition.

Aside from longevity, the Chevy Trailblazer is much more reliable than the Ford Expedition and much less problematic overall.

2. Chevy Trailblazer Vs. Mazda CX-9

The next vehicle to go up against the Chevy Trailblazer will be the Mazda CX-9, another prominent SUV on the market.

• The Chevy Trailblazer also beats the Mazda CX-9 in terms of reliability but only by a few points here and there. Overall, the competition is neck and neck.
• The Chevy Trailblazer remains to have lower longevity than the Mazda CX-9, which lasts 50,000 miles more than the Chevy Trailblazer.
• Things start to shift in the Chevy Trailblazer’s favor as it has had very few issues compared to the Mazda CX-9, which has had many issues over the years.
• It is, however, not able to beat the Mazda CX-9 when it comes to repairing these issues, being $100 more expensive than the Mazda CX-9.

While the Mazda CX-9 makes a lot of good points, I still think that the Chevy Trailblazer wins this round as it has much fewer issues and is slightly more reliable but offers more expensive fixes and less total mileage instead.

3. Chevy Trailblazer Vs. GMC Yukon XL

The final to be compared against the Chevy Trailblazer is the GMC Yukon XL, probably better known as the GMC Suburban, and has been present since 1946.

• There is a clear trend of the Chevy Trailblazer being much more reliable than its competitors, as is the case here against the GMC Yukon XL.
• The Chevy Trailblazer cannot beat the GMC Yukon XL when it comes to mileage, as its highest capable mileage is the GMC Yukon XL’s lowest.
• The Chevy Trailblazer and the GMC Yukon XL have had roughly the same number of problems and issues.
• It is another case that the Chevy Trailblazer is more than $200 cheaper to repair than the GMC Yukon XL.

Even though the Chevy Trailblazer seems like it wins this round, I would argue that the GMC Yukon XL wins this comparison due to its longer mileage while having the same amount of issues.

Even though it may be more expensive to fix these issues, you may not have to experience them at all with proper care.

Related: How Long Does A GMC Yukon Last?

Life Expectancy Of Chevy Trailblazer Car Parts

The overall life of any car depends on how well you can maintain its various parts and components to avoid any major component failures that may have a cascading effect, reducing the lifespan of the entire vehicle.

For that reason, in this section of the article, I will talk about all the different parts of the Chevy Trailblazer and tell you how long you can expect them to last and how to better take care of them.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Trailblazer Brake Pads

The Chevy Trailblazer’s brake pads are on the lower side in the longevity department, lasting only 35,000 miles on average.

This is quite low compared to other vehicles, so if you hope to make the brake pads last longer, you should make sure that you avoid high-density traffic, which will have you braking regularly.

Make sure to space out the brakes and avoid sudden stops.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Trailblazer Battery

For the battery of the Chevy Trailblazer, nothing new is going on either. It will last you an average of 4 years, depending on how well you maintain it.

The best practice to adopt when taking care of your car’s battery is to make sure it is regularly charged and carries out voltage tests.

Make sure you clean the battery from time to time and replace its battery fluid.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Trailblazer Tires

Capable of lasting around four years, the tires of the Chevy Trailblazer are also a bit on the lower side which seems to be a trend for most vehicle components.

Depending on how much wear and tear the tires get, you should be able to have a better lifespan.

You can limit the wear and tear by avoiding any sort of drifting and off-roading. Equalizing treadwear by having the tires rotated every year also helps in increasing the lifespan.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Trailblazer Transmission

Unfortunately for the Chevy Trailblazer, its transmission has been a victim of a lot of problems over the years which make the transmission last around 160,000 miles on average, which is extremely low.

To make sure the transmission doesn’t give out years before it should, make sure that the car is warmed up before you start.

One thing to avoid completely is shifting from drive to reverse when the car is still moving.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Trailblazer Spark Plugs

The spark plugs of the Chevy Trailblazer are the outliers among these components, capable of lasting up to 100,000 miles which is very good for the spark plugs of an SUV.

To make sure you get the entire lifespan of the spark plugs, you should regularly clean the spark plugs to prevent deposits from accumulating.

You can use compressed air to then clean out the ends of the plugs for further benefit.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Trailblazer Key Fob

The standard vehicle key fob can last you for 3 to 4 years on average and depends on how much you use it and how rough you are with it.

The Battery of the key fob will be the only thing you need to replace if you gentle with the buttons, which should also increase the lifespan of the key fob entirely.

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Chevy Trailblazer?

Due to the extremely low mileage for most Chevy Trailblazers, I would tell you that anything below 50,000 miles is good mileage to purchase.

While the Chevy Trailblazer may have fewer issues, it is still possible to encounter problems near the 100,000-mile mark, which is why you should never exceed that threshold and get it 100,000 miles at most if you spot a used model in peak condition.

How To Increase How Long Your Chevy Trailblazer Last

As I will discuss below, the Chevy Trailblazer has had a lot of different issues which can negatively affect the lifespan of the vehicle.

By following the tips above, you should be able to get a lot more mileage out of your Chevy Trailblazer:

• Maintaining the fluid of the vehicle.
• Regular trips to the mechanic.
• Frequent wheel alignment.
• Frequent servicing.
• Controlled braking.

The Chevy Trailblazer does not have a lot of specific issues, and the ones it does have are quite broad.

By following these few tips, you should be able to decrease issues and increase the lifespan of the car.

Problems That Limit The Life Of Your Chevy Trailblazer

If you are getting yourself an older Chevy Trailblazer, then by any means necessary, stay away from the 2005 model, which is widely regarded as the worst model of the lineup.

This, along with the models surrounding it, has a lot of issues that can easily reduce the lifespan of the car.

Here are just a few of these issues that you should keep a lookout for if you own a Chevy Trailblazer:

• Engine misfiring.
• Electrical malfunctions.
• Transmission failure.
• Brake failure.
• Axle breaking.
• Fluid leaks.
• Alignment issues.

Some of these issues are severe on their own, while others are so bad that they will reduce the life of various other components and lead to even more issues.

This is why you should take care of these common problems in your Chevy Trailblazer and regularly visit the mechanic to prevent them happening in the first place.

What To Look For When Buying A Chevy Trailblazer

If you are excited to buy the latest Chevy Trailblazer or are just looking for an older model to hold you over, there is definitely a good selection of models and trims to choose from in the Chevy Trailblazer lineup.

However, you should also look for certain features which will no doubt make your life much easier and provide a lot more utility to the Chevy Trailblazer.

• All wheel drive.
• 9 speed automatic transmission.
• AutoTrac 4WD.
• Side curtain airbags.
• 1.3L 3 cylinder turbocharged engine.
• RS sports trim.

If you want the latest Chevy Trailblazer, consider looking for it in the RS Sports trim, as this will provide you with the most premium experience.

This should no doubt then be accompanied by a turbocharged engine that is capable of supporting both AWD and 4WD, both of which I would also recommend you look for in the Chevy Trailblazer.

You can stop all of this off with side curtain airbags and a variety of other active safety features, which will provide you with a great and comfortable driving experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Chevy Trailblazer A Reliable Car?

Despite the flaws and issues of the Chevy Trailblazer, the vehicle itself is fairly reliable and should get you through more than a decade if used efficiently and properly.

Some models of the car have had a lot of issues, but if you make sure to give proper attention to the vehicle, you should have yourself a very reliable car that will provide you with a lot of usability.

For the most part, it is quite dependable and works well, despite not lasting as long as its competition.

Q2. Does Chevy Trailblazer Have A Lot Of Problems?

Due to the sheer popularity of the Chevy Trailblazer, there have been a lot of complaints and problems discovered over the years, and while quite a few models have had more issues than others, only 1 of them sticks out for being extremely problematic.

The majority of these issues have been directed to the interior of the Chevy Trailblazer, along with the Engine and lights.

Whether it be the fuel gauge not working, headlights not working, or straight-up engine misfires, some models of the Chevy Trailblazer have a lot of issues.

Q3. Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Used Chevy Trailblazer?

The Chevy Trailblazer has been able to leave a lasting impression on owners and fans alike, giving the car a great reputation.

For that reason, I would say that it is a good idea to buy a used Chevy Trailblazer, but only if the car is in good condition.

The Chevy Trailblazer tends to develop a lot of issues later down the line, mostly due to age, and it can also rust really easily too.

This is something you should keep in mind when buying a used Chevy Trailblazer. Other than that, it is a solid pick.

Q4. Does Chevy Trailblazer Rust Easily?

Despite being made by a very well-known and respected brand, the Chevy Trailblazer has had various complaints when it comes to rust-related issues.

The Chevy Trailblazer has had a bad habit of getting rusty frames that require a lot of effort to clean up, and sometimes, the rust is so bad that it is better to simply replace the frame.

You can expect a decent chunk of rust when buying older models of the Chevy Trailblazer. As for the new, recent models, one can only hope that the company has resolved the issues.

Q5. Is Chevy Trailblazer Expensive To Maintain?

The Chevy Trailblazer was initially a midsized Sports Utility Vehicle and later, upon its return to the American market, became a subcompact crossover SUV.

For this reason, you can expect two different costs for repairing the Chevy Trailblazer, $784 for the midsized models and around $520 for the midsized model.

Both of these are quite expensive when compared to some of their competitors, but overall, they are fairly vehicles that are worth putting any extra cost into and can provide a lot of value for their cost.

Conclusion

The newest model of the Chevy Trailblazer has had a lot of people excited, and for now, the 2021 model seems to be running exactly how you’d want it to, providing a lot of features and dependability, which renders the question of how long do Chevy Trailblazers last, one that is not worth asking.

The real issues are found in models like 2005 one, which had a lot of problems and probably could not reach the estimated mileage of 200,000.

Regardless of this, you should have yourself a great vehicle that is quite dependable, given proper care and attention, and will provide you with an amazing driving experience.

Tahir Azam

I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.