Car Guru's

[disneychrista]

My 2024 Chevy Trailblazer RS just had (seemingly) all the electrical components fail. The dashboard, infotainment went dark. The window wouldn't go up/down. The doors wouldn't lock/unlock, back wouldn't open. This all happened as I was driving. When I got where I was going the engine wouldn't turn off as well (push button start). I did ultimately get the engine to turn off by holding down the button. Of course the car will now not start. Any insight at what this might be?

I did have it towed to the dealer. But I am of course just curious if anyone has had this happen and what it might be.

 

[tvguy]

Issue with the ignition switch would be the first place I would look.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I thought you were talking about the website at first... that's how DH found his last vehicle.

Regarding the question, I used to have a Dodge Caravan that would do something like this randomly sometimes. Difference being it had the physical key thing that you could use to turn off/on. Also sometimes it would not start back up afterwards right away after turning it off.

It didn't happen often enough to raise a lot of concern. I kind of chalked it up to being a crappy Dodge was why, never bothered having it looked at because it would probably be way too expensive.

Thankfully (I am assuming) yours is still under warranty! Hopefully they can solve the problem quickly for you and get you back up and running with minimal stress.

 

[Disneylover99]

I thought you were talking about the website at first... that's how DH found his last vehicle.

Me too!
I know people who’ve had good experiences finding a car through CarGurus.

OP, hopefully things will work out with your current car, if not, check out CarGurus for your next one. lol.

 

[kdonnel]

Just a guess but it could be as simple as a failing 12v battery.

At least with an EV a failing 12v battery can present with some really odd symptoms. I assume that an ICE could have the same issue since cars are rolling computers that depend on a clean consistent 12v power supply.

 

[TippyThomas]

First thing I'd do is get the battery tested.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I don't have any suggestions specific to parts, but I would recommend finding a car forum or Facebook group specific to your exact vehicle. It's been the best way we've been able to troubleshoot issues with our newer/under warranty vehicles. When my current vehicle started making a strange noise, I got it on video, shared on the Facebook group and I had an answer before I ever set foot in the dealership. When DH's brand new 2025 truck that he bought last June was having issues, I turned to a Ram forum site and found several handfuls of people experiencing the same issue. At the time, nobody had a solution, but at some point...one finally got it fixed and became the model for everyone else.

 

[disneychrista]

A friend said the they saw something about a fuse going out that shut down all the electrical components. The car is only 6 months old. I now know that I should have stuck with my earlier thought of sticking to a Toyota or Honda. Won’t make that mistake again.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I had that and it was a battery. We had to disconnect it and let the car reset. Reconnected and it was able to get to the dealer to get a new battery.

 

[disneychrista]

I had that and it was a battery. We had to disconnect it and let the car reset. Reconnected and it was able to get to the dealer to get a new battery.

I’d hope that a battery would last more than 6 months. I am actually hoping it is something easy like that. I don’t want to be without my car for the 3 day weekend

 

[sam_gordon]

I could see a bad battery, a loose connection (either at the battery or elsewhere), a fuse, or a bad computer. With it only being 6 months old, I don't see how any of those are NOT a warranty item. However, it being Thursday, I would reach out to the dealer this afternoon (like shortly after lunch) checking the status on it. Ask them if they have a loaner or will rent a car Friday afternoon for the weekend if it won't be done.

Good luck!

 

[disneychrista]

Just spoke with the dealer (twice) about what is going on. Apparently, they don't talk to each other because I had to repeat what was going on to both of them. They are going to take a look and get back to me.

@sam_gordon I agree. I can't imagine they aren't covered under the bumper to bumper warranty, especially on a car I've only had six months and has less than 4,000 miles on it (1,200 of them a trip to Disneyland).

 

[kdonnel]

I’d hope that a battery would last more than 6 months. I am actually hoping it is something easy like that. I don’t want to be without my car for the 3 day weekend

Manufacturing defects usually present themselves early.

Fingers crossed it is just the 12v.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Agreed, it will be covered by warranty.

 

[sam_gordon]

Let's say the battery does test bad. They replace the battery, car starts up and passes all the tests. You come pick it up. In a day, a week, or six months, you have the same issue. So it could be the battery was actually GOOD, but something caused it to fail. Replacing the battery just put a bandaid on the problem, didn't really fix it. That would be worst case, I know, but it just dawned on me.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Let's say the battery does test bad. They replace the battery, car starts up and passes all the tests. You come pick it up. In a day, a week, or six months, you have the same issue. So it could be the battery was actually GOOD, but something caused it to fail. Replacing the battery just put a bandaid on the problem, didn't really fix it. That would be worst case, I know, but it just dawned on me.

That's true for sure.

 

[tvguy]

A friend said the they saw something about a fuse going out that shut down all the electrical components. The car is only 6 months old. I now know that I should have stuck with my earlier thought of sticking to a Toyota or Honda. Won’t make that mistake again.

Unfortunately both Toyota and Honda are having major engine issues right now.
I bought my first Toyota ever in 2020, so far so good. But my mechanic says.......because it is a model made in the US, that the quality isn't close to what Toyotas made in Japan used to be 10 years before.
I never thought I would own a Toyota. I had Toyotas as company fleet cars in the 1970s........all were Corollas or pickups, and they were rolling tin cans with cardboard door panels. However, they I never had one break down on me.....just cheap interior parts fall off.

 

[jimmymc]

My guesses would be a bad battery or the fuse box isn't fully plugged in. If it's one of these, it'll be an easy fix.

 

[John VN]

Bad or Low Voltage battery can cause all sorts of issues with newer vehicles

 

[sam_gordon]

I bought my first Toyota ever in 2020, so far so good. But my mechanic says.......because it is a model made in the US, that the quality isn't close to what Toyotas made in Japan used to be 10 years before.

Toyota has been making cars in the US since 1986.