Hey guys I'm looking into buying an 06 Trailblazer SS AWD this weekend and was wondering who has or had one and what their opinions are of them. I'm not going to beat the bejesus out of it or take it to the strip just getting a little tired of my Silverado.

Is there anything specifically I should be looking for as far as problems? I'm a tech at a Nissan dealer so I know how to check a car over but don't know if they are prone to certain problem areas. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I've got an '07 AWD and I love it. I use it as my daily driver. The biggest problem with them are the transmissions. They have been known to break under stock power especially on the AWD models. I have also had problems with the power steering but I don't know if its common or not.

 

I can't complain about mine. 84K miles and no problems so far.

 

The regular trailblazer itself has a pretty poor rep for reliability. I've always wondered if the SS model was any better?

 

Well the SS is a completely different drivetrain so it's pretty much a whole other animal.

I have seen a few complaints about transmissions and a few on steering racks. I'm not concerned about the rack if it goes it goes, I can get OEM parts at cost and do the work myself so its no big deal but I obviously don't want to pay for a tranny. I was planning on adding a large aftermarket cooler to try and prevent this from failing.

 

Love my TBSS here bro. I have taken it a little off the beaten path up here in Alaska and has done fine so far. The only problem I have had with it is the driverside window motor and regulator. I had the window motor swapped out after 6 months and the regulator just went out last week. Other than that is has done awesome. Drove it from North Carolina all the way to Kodiak Alaska in 6 days (4611 miles straight) last summer without fail. I'm at 28k right now without engine, tranny, or rear problems. I have had it pegged out for a couple miles hitting the speed limiter at 130-135 (sorry it has been a year so I can't remember the exact speed). That and it has done extremely well for a RWD SUV in bad weather which this place is known for (alot of ice) since I see you are in the northeast. Go for it fella.

 

Not sure if this is an issue for you, but the reason I never got one is the poor gas mileage. Seems that 15-16 mpg is pretty normal.

 

15 -16 mpg is what my wife's AWD 06 gets all the time. The only complaint I have is the rear end makes a popping and grinding around corners. Other than that we LOVE it.

 

They are cool cars, in Chicago i dont think they sold non SS tbs however, no joke i see them EVERYWHERE all the time, and in the winter months every time i drove any distance i always saw one or two. They are really common i guess in that area at least, and if you are buying used they are pretty cheap now as well.

 

Transmissions are the weak link as already said, especially AWD. I sold mine last week (06 27k miles) and only had 2 minor issues that were covered under warranty (igntion switch and fron thubs). I'll probably end up buying another one down the road. Gas mileage? It's a 5k lb truck with a 6.0L and 4.10s, what can you expect?

 

My Silverado is averaging 16 so no big deal. I'd obviously prefer better but you gotta sacrifice something for such a sweet ride. I figure I'll get a CAI and tune so MAYBE I'll get 17mpg lol.

 

I had mine loved it. Had a problem with the brakes, but that was fixed. Had 62kmi on it and it was AWD. Saw about 10-12mpg city and 15 hwy @ 74mph

 

Well I went through with it and love it. All I have right now is a cell phone pic but you get the idea

 

LoudmouthLT1, my wife has an 07 TB SS and loves it. Like some have said the weakest link is the trans. It seems that the 4L70E trans is the weak link. Once you start making much over the rated 395 HP set some money aside for a trans. To prolong the trans life I suggest the 2-4 servo and a good trans cooler. For better economy I suggest a free flowing exhaust which consists of a set of LT headers and a cat back system. Also a good CAI system and electric fans. If by chance the trans does take a dump, I suggest using anyone of the vendors on this forum. My personal preference is Finish Line Transmissions and that is because I have used them before. As a matter of fact they will be getting my wifes trans this week. Pulled it out today to be shipped out Monday. Whoever you use is your preference but I would caution you on using Level 10 in Vernon,NJ. I had a $4300 trans job done on a 98 Jeep GC 5.9 which turned out to be not the trans but a TPS sensor. And we used to be very good friends. Long story on this one. Anyways good luck with your 06 TB SS. You will love it. Nice looking vehicle. My wifes is pushing close to 500 HP and still gets about 16-17 on the highway. In fact if it got around 10MPG on the highway I still think she would like it. Good luck with yours. Rich

 

Nice bro, I promise you won't be disappointed. Gotta love those Black TBSS's

 

wish i could afford one for my ol lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And me

 

Man that's a nice TBSS we have a white one and we just got it a few months ago off eBay it came from Chicago. We love it all you see are tahoe's in my town so I had to be different and I'm very happy with it. I like to say my baby boy has the fastest baby ride in town ! He is the only reason we got it I've always liked them tho......

 

congrats on the purchase.. I hope to have one sitting in my driveway sooner than later.

 

Thanks guys. I'm loving this thing so far, I actually like it more than I liked my T/A. Its a certified used vehicle so its got a 1 year 12k warranty so I need to hold off on the mods just to make sure I don't have any issues.

 

sorry to bring up the dead just wanted to see how it was handling im in the prosess of buying one at the moment