Showing the 2026 Trailblazer LT. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version
Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
Fuel economy
27–31 mpgcombined; city 26–30, highway 29–33; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$10,480–$12,030U.S. average; Ohio $9,360–$10,750 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2026 Trailblazer. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.
Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Trailblazer. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Electrical system
4
0
0
0
Engine
4
0
0
0
Service brakes
3
0
0
0
Unknown or other
3
1
0
0
Air bags
2
1
0
1
Power train
1
0
0
0
Seat belts
1
1
0
1
Tires
1
0
0
0
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2026 Trailblazer over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
Risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, if necessary, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 17, 2026. Another letter will be mailed once the parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A262554900. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 100 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2026 Trailblazer, the latest on Oct 7, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: unknown or other (91), electrical system (4), engine (2), forward collision avoidance (1), fuel/propulsion system (1).
NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.
Maintenance
Oil
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2026 Trailblazer.
EPA class: small sport utility vehicle. EPA greenhouse gas score: 5–6 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
Trailblazer Front-Wheel Drive
1.3 L, 3 cyl, turbo
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Regular Gasoline
29 / 33 / 31
Trailblazer Front-Wheel Drive
1.2 L, 3 cyl, turbo
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Regular Gasoline or E85
30 / 31 / 30
Trailblazer All-Wheel Drive
1.3 L, 3 cyl, turbo
Automatic 9-spd
Regular Gasoline
26 / 29 / 27
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data