Chevrolet Trailblazer VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Chevrolet Trailblazer you are looking at. Then check its model year against 30 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefix1GNKL7

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Chevrolet Trailblazer

About the Chevrolet Trailblazer

Chevrolet has sold the Trailblazer in the US since the 2002 model year, and there have been two generations. The GMT360 came first (2002–2009), and the Trailblazer took over for 2021–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 30 vehicle recall campaigns and 8,396 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the GMT360. Its 2005 and 2004 model years alone account for 3,102 of them, with owners bringing up electrical system most often and the fuel system after that. EPA rates the GMT360 at 13–17 mpg combined, while the Trailblazer gets 27–31 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2002–2026

GenerationsGMT360 · Trailblazer

NHTSA recall campaigns30

Owner complaints8,396 at NHTSA

Chevrolet Trailblazer photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Chevrolet Trailblazer generations

Two generations since the 2002 model year. The GMT360 (2002–2009) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (25).

2 / 2

Trailblazer

2021–20262nd generation

200220052010201520202025

2021–2026· Generation 2 of 2

Trailblazer · 2nd generation

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle

EPA combined mpg27–31

NHTSA recalls5

Engines (EPA)

1.2 L 3-cyl (turbo) · 2021–2023, 2025–2026
1.3 L 3-cyl (turbo) · 2021–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
automatic (2021–2026), CVT (2021–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (113)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (99)Engine and cooling (89)

Mentions in 438 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · TrailblazerKL79MMS2?MB······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS, built in Bupyeong, South Korea

Check a Trailblazer VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Trailblazer model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 30 campaigns on file for Trailblazer model years 2002–2026, and the 2002 shows up in more of them than any other year (13), ahead of the 2003 (9). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Chevrolet Trailblazer owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2005 and 2004 hold 3,102 of the 8,396 complaints, or 37%. Tap any bar or generation.

8,396NHTSA complaints, 2002–2026

407mention a crash

259mention a fire

433injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearTrailblazer: 438 complaints · most for the 2021 (193)

Top complaint areas · Trailblazer

Mentions in 438 complaints, 2021–2026.

Electrical system113

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)99

Engine and cooling89

Brakes70

Forward collision avoidance36

Fuel system27

Crashes 21Fires 5Injuries 14

2021–2026 (Trailblazer)

NHTSA data summary

The 2021 stands out. On its own it has 193 of the Trailblazer’s 438 complaints (44%). By area, nothing stands out. Electrical system leads with 113, with the powertrain (99) and engine and cooling (89) close behind.

What Trailblazer owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2021–present (2nd generation)

Owner data is modest, and CarComplaints has only a handful of reports. The 2021 and 2022 draw the most NHTSA complaints, and the most common is a Shift to Park message that appears when the shifter is already in Park, which can keep the engine from shutting off. Owners also mention brake concerns, battery trouble and check engine lights. CarComplaints owners of the 2021 describe grinding brakes and high engine speed on the highway. Recalls cover missing front seat bolts and a brake boost sensor connection on some 2021 models. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the seat bolt and brake boost recalls on 2021 models.
Ask whether the shifter or its park switch has been repaired.
On the drive, shift into Park and turn the engine off several times to confirm it shuts down cleanly, and listen for brake grinding.

Sources (3) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Trailblazer complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Trailblazer version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

8,396complaints, 2002–2026

407mention a crash

259mention a fire

433injuries reported

14complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2005 (1,734), 2004 (1,368), 2006 (1,347)

2005 · 1,734 complaints

Crashes 70 · fires 27 · injuries 71 · complaints reporting a death 1

Electrical system733

Fuel system609

Exterior lighting157

Fuel/propulsion system109

Vehicle speed control87

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Trailblazer CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 68 Trailblazer versions for model years 2002–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 287 g/mi (2026). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

GMT3602002–2009

13–17 mpg · CO₂ 523–684 g/mi

Trailblazer2021–2026

27–31 mpg · CO₂ 287–329 g/mi

Model year2025

31combined MPG

287CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,150EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

6/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Trailblazer FWD · Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo — 31 MPG · 287 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Trailblazer vs Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2021–2026. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the Trailblazer, against 9 for the Honda HR-V and 12 for the Hyundai Kona. Pick a range to compare.

Chevrolet TrailblazerTrailblazer

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 5
NHTSA owner complaints: 438
EPA combined mpg: 27–31
Engines (EPA): 3-cyl 1.2, 1.3 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 113
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 99
Engine and cooling 89

Honda HR-V

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 9
NHTSA owner complaints: 1,006
EPA combined mpg: 27–30
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.8, 2.0 L
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 424
Steering 157
Electrical system 94

Hyundai Kona

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 12
NHTSA owner complaints: 450
EPA combined mpg: 23–32
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 148
Engine and cooling 146
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 58

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Chevrolet Trailblazer VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Trailblazer

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Chevrolet Trailblazer (second generation) crossover, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Trailblazer has its VIN plate at the lower driver's side windshield. A door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label between the front and rear doors are the secondary locations. The Trailblazer generation starts with the 2021 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (M for 2021) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Chevrolet Trailblazer VIN questions

Which Chevrolet Trailblazer model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2005 leads with 1,734, ahead of the 2004 (1,368) and 2006 (1,347). Those first two alone make up 37% of the 8,396 Trailblazer complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Trailblazer had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 30 vehicle campaigns for model years 2002–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, GMT360 leads with 25. Then come the Trailblazer (5), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls are high risk?

03V-051 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 02V-121, 05V-455, 12V-406, 13V-248, 14V-404 and 15V-599. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Trailblazer generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the GMT360 is 2002–2009 and the Trailblazer 2021–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (M is 2021).

What fuel economy does the Chevrolet Trailblazer get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2021–2026 Trailblazer at 27–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 13–17 mpg for the 2002–2009 GMT360 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Chevrolet Trailblazer compare with the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona on recalls?

For 2021–2026 models the Trailblazer has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda HR-V has 9, the Hyundai Kona 12. Complaints run 438, 1,006 and 450 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Chevrolet Trailblazer have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Trailblazer 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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About the Chevrolet Trailblazer

Chevrolet Trailblazer generations