This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer steering problems
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 28 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Chevrolet Trailblazer we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 28.
Owners have filed 28 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will need to determine what type of call the customer is having that is unwanted. The vehicle may receive an incoming call just like any other phone. Typically the customer will hear the phone ringing in the vehicle. This scenario also includes incoming Bluetooth calls. One type of unwanted call can be made if the key pad is faulty the OnStar system will try to make a blue button call for shorted voltage in the circuits. The OnStar module could have an internal fault and produce a ″Phone Unavaila
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician vehicles with a slight rough idle. Technician should compare the concern with a like vehicle. If the concern is worse than a like vehicle, technician should follow published Service Information diagnosis and repair as necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Trailblazer's steering system exhibits multiple recurring failure modes across these 28 complaints. Power steering hose and line fractures are the most common critical failure; owners report sudden loss of steering assist while driving, fluid leaks under the vehicle, and one owner had to replace the rack and pinion four times before also replacing the pump and hose. Some owners' vehicles are included in NHTSA recalls (05V455000, 12V248000) but others with identical symptoms are not, and in at least one case, recall parts were unavailable for extended periods.
Tie rods fail prematurely and wear out again within a year or two, causing violent vibration above 35 MPH. Steering wheel position and angle sensors trigger unwanted stability control engagement and cause erratic steering assist. Owners also report mysterious power losses during turns—engine shutdown, complete electrical loss, and loss of both power steering and acceleration—sometimes triggered by simple turns. These incidents can occur multiple times per month or sporadically, making diagnosis difficult even when battery and alternator test good. One owner's problem was resolved only after the PCM/ECM was replaced.
Steering column wiring has caused independent windshield wiper activation, and some owners report ongoing vibration and creaking from the steering area that dealers cannot pinpoint. Multiple repair attempts on the same vehicle often fail to resolve intermittent problems, with at least one owner spending over 30 days at the dealer across three visits.
Same Chevrolet Trailblazer steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Hose/Line Failure
Hard line to rack and pinion fractures or develops leaks, restricting fluid flow and causing loss of power assist. Multiple owners report the same failure mode recurring after repair attempts.
When: 95,000–200,000 miles; some as early as vehicle purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering while driving; Difficulty turning the steering wheel; Power steering fluid leaking from under vehicle; Loss of power steering during turns
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement (one owner replaced four times before pump and hose also replaced); power steering hose/line replacement; one owner spent over $1000 previously
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 05V455000 (Steering) exists but some owners' VINs not included; NHTSA Campaign 12V248000 (Electronic Power Steering) issued but parts not available in reasonable timeframe
Power Steering Pump Noise
Power steering pump produces loud, grinding, or awful noise during operation, particularly at low speeds and during turns.
When: 6,000 miles; multiple occurrences reported
Symptoms owners cite: Awful noise from power steering pump at 25 MPH; Noise/creaks from steering wheel when driving slow and turning
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives; one owner states extended warranty was refused by GM
Tie Rod Wear/Failure
Driver-side tie rod fails prematurely, causing violent vibration at highway speeds and requiring premature replacement. One owner reports needing replacement twice within several years.
When: 42,000 miles first failure; second failure mentioned without mileage; approximately 1 year apart
Symptoms owners cite: Tire shakes uncontrollably when accelerating above 35 MPH; Shaking begins at 25 MPH, levels out at 30 MPH; Violent shaking at 60 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod replacement ($100 diagnostic fee mentioned); one owner replaced tie rods about 1 year before complaint, then needed replacement again
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised owner to pay $100 diagnostic fee; no dealer assistance outside warranty
Steering Wheel Vibration/Shaking
Steering wheel shakes or vibrates violently at certain speeds, particularly around 60 MPH or during turns. Difficult to diagnose as it occurs intermittently. Multiple repair attempts do not resolve the issue.
When: Early in ownership; recurring intermittently over extended period
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes violently at 60 MPH; Shaking occurs intermittently, hard to diagnose; Stability control light illuminates during shaking episodes; Vehicle shuts down or loses power when shaking occurs
Repairs/costs cited: Tires, rotors, calipers, master cylinder, and brake booster replaced; brake components replaced multiple times; one owner had vehicle in dealer over 30 days with multiple visits, issue unresolved
Steering Position Sensor Failure
Steering wheel position or angle sensor malfunctions, causing stability control to engage inappropriately or causing erratic steering assist. Can make steering unpredictable and unsafe.
When: No specific mileage provided; multiple owners report issue
Symptoms owners cite: Stability control engages when not necessary; Steering becomes erratic when stability control light comes on; Service Stability Trak message displayed on screen
Repairs/costs cited: Steering angle sensor replacement ($100 sensor cost plus $200 labor estimated by owner); steering wheel position sensor replaced
Power Loss During Turns/Engine Shutdown While Driving
Engine shuts down or loses all electrical power and power steering during turns, leaving the vehicle uncontrollable. Occurs unpredictably—some days multiple times, other days not at all. Owner suspects electrical system failure but diagnosis has been inconclusive.
When: Random occurrences; one owner reports 4 times in last 30 days
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down or loses power during left or right turns; All gauges read normal except RPM drops to zero; Loss of power steering and acceleration during turns; Engine stalls when attempting to start; restarts after delay
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and alternator checked; no defect found; PCM/ECM replaced in one case and resolved the problem
Steering System Electrical/Electronic Failure
Intermittent failures in steering column wiring or electronics cause unexpected windshield wiper activation, steering angle sensor malfunction, or complete loss of steering control. Some failures traced to steering column.
When: 72,000 miles (wiper failure); early in ownership (other issues)
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers activate independently when vehicle is started; Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn without warning; Erratic steering behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column diagnosed as failure source for wiper issue but not repaired; no other repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed steering column as failure source
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet trailblazer. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 60,000 and 133,800 miles, with the median around 95,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 133,800. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Trailblazer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.