1-Cracked Coil caused breakdown and gas flooded engine on a road trip 109mi from home, stranded, no accommodations for replacement vehicle during service-May 12-19, 2023 2-Faulty Purge Solenoid Valve-December 4, 2023, serviced and repaired December 7, 2023 3-Engine light same code for evap leak that was repaired, waiting on contact for repair December 9,2023. The first issue caused major safety…
2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer engine problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Engine accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple 2023 Trailblazer owners report recurring turbocharger failures causing power loss, as well as cracked coils, faulty emissions components, and catalytic converter bolt breakage. Several failures occurred before 100K miles and repeated after dealer repair, with limited manufacturer support.
Owners of 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazers describe a pattern of engine failures spanning the first 100K miles. The most common complaint is turbocharger failure, which triggers an "Engine Power Reduced" message and limits the vehicle to 30 MPH or less. Three separate owners report this happened between 23K and 60K+ miles, and in at least two cases the problem recurred after dealer repair—one owner traded the vehicle in rather than risk interstate driving with repeated power loss.
Other owners report cracked ignition coils, faulty purge solenoid valves, and coolant control valve failures. One owner experienced an engine breakdown and gas flooding 100 miles from home. Another found engine debris in the oil pan requiring full engine replacement. Bolts holding the exhaust to the catalytic converter broke during normal driving on two vehicles at nearly identical mileage (96K–97K miles), creating what the owner describes as a serious safety hazard; this owner claims the issue is widespread and documented online.
Owners cite diagnostic codes P146D, P1098, and EVAP leak codes. Repair costs are described as "extremely expensive," particularly for the coolant control valve assembly, which one owner characterizes as a design flaw. Several complaints reference the turbocharger problem as a "known issue" among Trailblazer owners, yet manufacturer responses remain limited or absent in most narratives.
Same Chevrolet Trailblazer engine reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Turbocharger Failure
Turbocharger fails, triggering 'Engine Power Reduced' message and limiting vehicle to 30 MPH or less. Failures recur after dealer repairs at 23K, 42K, and 60K+ miles. Owners report this as a known issue affecting multiple vehicles across the country.
When: 23,000 miles; 42,000 miles; 60,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine Power Reduced message displayed; Unable to accelerate above 30 MPH; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle returns to normal then fails again
Codes mentioned: P146D (reported in one case with emissions control valve)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed and repaired turbocharger multiple times; failures reoccurred. One owner traded vehicle in rather than risk interstate driving with reduced power.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance provided per complaints; owner references possible Emission Recall A222379711 but status unclear
Cracked Ignition Coil
Cracked ignition coil caused engine breakdown and fuel flooding on road trip. Vehicle left stranded 109 miles from home.
When: May 12-19, 2023 (7 months into ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine breakdown; Gas flooded engine
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired May 12-19, 2023
Faulty Purge Solenoid Valve
Purge solenoid valve failure triggered check engine light and EVAP leak codes. Same failure code appeared after repair, requiring multiple service visits.
When: December 4, 2023 (7 months into ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; EVAP leak code
Repairs/costs cited: Serviced and repaired December 7, 2023; same code reappeared by December 9, 2023
Exhaust-to-Catalytic Converter Bolt Failure
Bolts holding exhaust to catalytic converter break during normal driving, creating serious safety hazard. Owner reports identical failure on spouse's Trailblazer at nearly the same mileage. Owner alleges this is a known issue with many documented instances online.
When: 97,000 miles; 96,000 miles (spouse's vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Bolts break during driving; Exhaust loosens from catalytic converter
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired per complaint
Engine Debris in Oil Pan
Internal engine debris found in oil pan, indicating engine wear or failure. Abnormal sound from engine compartment preceded diagnosis. Engine replacement recommended.
When: 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from engine compartment; Debris from engine in oil pan
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed need for complete engine replacement; not performed
Coolant Control Valve Assembly Failure
Coolant control valve assembly malfunctions, risking engine overheating. Diagnosed via DTC P1098. Owner states this is a common issue with Trailblazer and similar vehicles due to bad design, resulting in extremely expensive repair.
When: 67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Risk of engine overheating
Codes mentioned: P1098
Repairs/costs cited: Owner notes repair is extremely expensive
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the “Engine Power Reduced" message was displayed, and the vehicle was unable to accelerate above 30 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the…
Coolant Vavle malfunction Engine could overheat Yes Manufacturer No warning lights..check engine light came and I had the car diagnosed
Had engine trouble with your 2023 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 engine problem on the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 64,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2023/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.