Thread: Thoughts on Trailblazers/Envoys

I've owned three trailblazers starting in 2013 through 2017. here's my thoughts and notes:

- I had the inline 6 which was a 275 hp workhorse. You can look around for the V8 version but if you're not towing the 6 cyl will be easier on the gas budget
- speaking of gas the 6 cyl averaged about 17 mpg all around. Up to 23 or so on highway

the biggest issues I had with them were

- ignition switch would crap out. the contacts would arc out and prevent the truck from starting. we got stranded once and I had it towed home, it was a 15 minute fix once I got the truck back home. after that I kept a spare in the glovebox. I guess you could do a bypass relay too

- living in Buffalo there was always an issue with rust. The power steering and transmission lines in the engine compartment would corrode. I had to do the rubber fuel injection hose repair to fix leaking lines.

- the engine fan clutch and water pump was also a high frequency repair. I replaced at least three water pumps on two vehicles because the fan clutch would wear out and wobble and take the pump with it.

but overall I liked them, they had good power and a decent ride for a truck frame.

Originally Posted by FordMan77

The Stabilitrak in this thing was always messed up.

that was why I ultimately got rid of our last one. the ABS and Stabilitrak was always crapping out, the brakes would start applying by themselves or you'd step on the brake and it would not stop because the ABS was modulating the brakes. weird feeling, so we replaced it with a GMC Terrain

there is quite a bit on various forums. I replaced hubs and the steering sensor at one point.

I worked at a dealer back then but only til 06. Fixed my share as a bodyman. Seems like I remember them having an unusual, simple to repair, partially tubular design on the front end structure that makes welded repairs difficult to protect from corrosion. Out at the front of the aprons. Not a big deal but while you're shopping hey, they probably want equal dough for fixed and unhit specimens. IIRC also, what they might call the upper rail... above the front wheels was repairable by sectioning so an overlap could exist there and if so, could be another corrosion hotspot.

Biggest thing I see in New England is the rear frame rusts. It's super common in my area and when looking at them it's the first thing to look at IMO. Steering lines love to pop right at the drivers fender where they put it through a foam water holder. Seriously.

As they get older/miles etc ball joints and all the normal type of stuff. And if you ever have to replace a rack, you can swap the inners/outer rods between the two different racks. Yeah.. fun stuff.