The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration has upgraded its fire-related investigation on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. The investigation, which has been extended to a full engineering analysis status, now covers 342,000 model year 2006-2007 TrailBlazers.
So far, the NHTSA and GM have received 242 complaints, including 28 fires but no injuries. Some of the fires occurred while the vehicle was in motion but others happened while it was off and unattended. For its part, GM is instructing any TrailBlazer owner who smells smoke or whose power windows stop working to contact their dealer.
The NHTSA will examine other GM vehicles using the same GMT360 platform, including the GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7X, but GM has previously stated that those vehicle have different door configurations. The GMT360-based TrailBlazer was discontinued in 2009, but a new and mechanically unrelated model is undergoing a global launch as of this writing. A U.S. launch of the all-new model hasn’t’ yet been announced.
Comments
Does anyone know why only the 2006 – 2007 models are included in this investigation? I own a 2008 TB SS AWD, a friend owns a 2007 TB SS AWD the vehicles are almost identical. I would think this should include 2006 – 2009 model years. It would be nice to see some more details regarding the expected cause of the investigation.
Dan, I’m just putting the dots together here but it’s likely that the model year TBs being recalled have a certain window motor design not present on other model-year TBs. That, or that the motor is from a certain supplier/manufacturing batch.
Alex….Thanks. I live in the Midwest and two winters ago Chevy was having a lot of problems with these motors in the cold weather. Basically the motors were going out and the manufacturer had gone under so they could not be replaced. Another friend with an LT had a rental car for a month because the parts to close his window did not exist. If anyone has the real facts about these windows let us know.
My daughters 2006 trailblazer caught fire with my two grandchildren 1 and 2, my handicapped daughter and my 14 year old niece in the suv! Nice safe truck right the drivers side main window switch caught fire it was terrible, the fire marshall said it never should have happened!she couldn’t open the door to open it lucky they got out safe. Now it seems to be we’re playing games with the dealer oh let’s rewire the hole door lets not . I called general motors and it don’t seem to be helping. I found another web site that has a attorneys name to contact so now I’m calling Monday I tried to be nice but it’s not getting me any where
Hi Linda,
If you receive this I’d appreciate the opportunity to speak with you or your daughter. My email is ruet (at) cbsnews.com
Thank you,
Dan Ruetenik
CBS Evening News
Our 2004 gmc envoy caught fire unattended one night in the front yard. Fire department had to come extinguish it. Cause of fire undetermined . Afterwards I started researching similar cases. It’s clear that it was electrical and looks to have started on drivers side door . Contacted GM and they have drug their feet. Finally sent investigators out which took another 2 months. Have been without car for 4 months. They made a offer which was barely blue book value. The truck had all factory parts and accessories . They won’t claim responsibility for the fire but made a good faith offer. I feel they wouldn’t make a offer if they weren’t liable. On top of all that they want the burnt vehicle . I think I need to consult a lawyer. Does anyone have any advice.
Just want to be treated fairly and made whole again
I have a 2006 chevy trailblazer and my dashboard cough on fire when i was driving on August 29 2019 it’s there’s a problem
Well my whole trailblazer burned up last night, the fire marshall called it a mechanical malfunction. I lost thousands of dollars i think I might need to contact an attorney also.