Power window control systems are the dominant issue in these 31 complaints. Drivers' side master window switches overheat, melt, and smoke, with burning odors preceding failures in at least ten separate narratives. Three owners report fire or charring. Switches get stuck then fail completely. Control modules degrade, disabling not just windows but door locks, memory seats, and heated seats. Repair estimates run $300 for module replacement.
NHTSA Campaign 12V406000 was issued for power window defects, but owners waited months for parts availability—some reported three to four months with no remedy forthcoming. Multiple owners report their VINs were excluded from recalls despite having identical failures. One owner's recall repair failed when rainwater entered the door module during normal use, proving the fix inadequate against liquid intrusion.
Windshields crack without impact at various mileages. One owner observed three Trailblazers parked together, all with identical cracking patterns. Another owner reported the same spontaneous cracking on a 2006 Cobalt. One rear hatch window shattered while closing normally. Headlights fail intermittently or completely at night; one owner drove 55 mph before lights died. GM's recall 14291 excludes some VINs despite matching failures. Windshield seals separate, causing wind noise. Repair delays, parts shortages, and dealer refusals to service are consistent complaints throughout.
Failure modes owners describe
Power window switch and control module overheating/melting with fire risk
Driver's side (and sometimes both front) power window switches and control modules overheat, melt, and emit burning odors or smoke. In severe cases, the door console or control box catches fire or shows significant char marks. The electrical system degrades to the point where windows, door locks, memory seat controls, and heated seat controls fail simultaneously.
When: 42,000 to 119,000 miles; reported at various stages of vehicle use, including while actively operating windows or while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Burning odor from driver's side door or window area; Smoke or visible fire from door panel or window switch; Power window switch becomes extremely hot during operation; Master window switch gets stuck in down position then stops responding; Door console or control box shows melted or burnt material
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic replaced entire window motor and actuator; another mechanic replaced master window switch; wiring for window switch replaced at dealer; replacement costs mentioned as approximately $300 for new module
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign ID 12V406000 (Visibility: Power Window Devices and Controls); parts unavailable for extended periods; NHTSA Action Number EA12004 under investigation; in at least one case, dealer confirmed parts needed replacement but offered no assistance pending recall resolution
Power window control module failure (non-thermal)
Driver's side and/or passenger-side power window switches and control modules fail electrically without evidence of overheating. Windows become inoperable in both directions. Circuit boards fail. Master window switch stops responding after stuck behavior.
When: 61,000 to 132,000 miles; some failures recur
Symptoms owners cite: Front driver and/or passenger side windows stop opening or closing; Power window switch does not respond to control inputs; Windows go down then automatically go back up; Control module fails to function for windows and door locks
Repairs/costs cited: Circuit board replacement needed (quoted at $300); control module replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign ID 12V406000 and 14V206000; many VINs reported not covered by recalls despite identical failures; parts unavailable for extended periods; manufacturers stated no recalls applied; no assistance offered
Windshield cracking without impact
Windshield develops cracks spontaneously while driving with no impact, impact noise, stone strike, or external cause reported. Owners observed the same pattern of cracking on multiple Trailblazers parked together. One owner also reported cracking on a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt with the same symptom pattern.
When: At various mileages; reported at 77,000 and 115,000 miles; one case occurred twice on the same vehicle over a two-year span
Symptoms owners cite: Crack develops across windshield while driving; No external impact or impact noise preceding crack; Cracks appear in the same location across multiple vehicles; Rear windshield shattered while driving at 40 mph with no reported cause
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; one insurance claim filed; no manufacturer action taken
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case; no response documented
Rear hatch window shattering
Rear hatch window glass shatters during normal use of the hatch (opening or closing) with no excessive force, impact, or contact with the glass reported.
When: Occurred while closing hatch during luggage loading; failure mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Rear hatch window shatters when hatch is closed; No contact with glass confirmed by owner
Repairs/costs cited: Insurance claim filed; Chevrolet contacted with service request but took no action
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service request received (# 71-626176152) but no action taken by Chevrolet
Headlight failure (intermittent and complete loss)
Headlights fail to illuminate at night. Failures are intermittent, going on and off, or complete with lights not responding to automatic or manual controls. Owner reported cycling vehicle on and off temporarily restores function. One owner experienced headlight failure at 55 mph on a four-lane road.
When: Mileage not documented in narratives; failures occur at night during driving
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights will not come on (automatic or manual mode); Headlights go off while driving; Lights respond intermittently (go in and out); High beams required to drive home after low beams failed
Repairs/costs cited: One repair cost $80; no GM reimbursement provided despite owner request
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Recall 14291 (NHTSA ID 14V7550) exists but owner's VIN not covered despite identical failure; GM refused reimbursement claim; one owner notes other dozens of complaints to NHTSA for same issue
Windshield seal separation and wind noise
Windshield rubber seal separates from frame, allowing wind noise to enter the vehicle. Windshield appears loose or seal did not adhere properly. One recall noted for 2005 model; unclear if issue carries over to 2007.
When: Mileage not documented
Symptoms owners cite: Wind noise from top portion of windshield (passenger to driver side); Windshield appears loose; Sealant appears not to have adhered
Repairs/costs cited: Rubber seal replaced in one case; no other repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One recall noted for 2005 model year for same reason; status for 2007 unclear
Window control module water intrusion damage (post-recall)
After recall repair under NHTSA 12V406000 was performed, water entered the door module during a light rain with windows cracked, causing all switches to stop functioning. Dealer stated the recall fix was not designed to protect against liquid water ingress, only ambient moisture.
When: Occurred after recall repair was completed; subsequent to rain event
Symptoms owners cite: All switches stopped working after water entered door module; Failure triggered by windows left cracked during light rain
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented post-water intrusion
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed owner that recall fix was not intended to protect against liquid water, only ambient moisture
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.