Chevrolet Blazer Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
The 2019, 2020, and 2021 Chevrolet Blazer years rank worst, with complaint index scores of 80, 100, and 90 out of the model's 11 covered years. No Blazer year earns a Best verdict; 2005-2008 and 2022 rate Good, while 2023-2025 rate Caution.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 11
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 758
- Recall campaigns
- 9
- Crashes reported
- 32
- Fires reported
- 5
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Blazer Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Blazer problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 20 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Fuel System | 15.5 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 30 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2007 | Good | 10 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2008 | Good | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 80 | 186 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 100 | 219 | 5 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 90 | 133 | 6 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 40 | 50 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 50 | 43 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 70 | 47 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 23 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 60 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
Blazer years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Chevrolet Blazer Index 100 · 219 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2020 Blazer is the worst year in the lineup, with 219 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Electrical System complaints were the top category at 35% (median mileage 38,000), followed by Engine at 34% and Transmission & Powertrain at 33%. Owners reported sudden wheel lockups, transmission failures with RPM spikes on acceleration, and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns, including a suspension/tire inspection, a transmission accumulator fix, and an airbag diffuser module replacement. Five crashes and seven injuries were reported.
2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →2020 transmission & powertrain problems →
2021 Chevrolet Blazer Index 90 · 133 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2021 Blazer had 133 complaints and a complaint index of 90, ranking second worst. Engine problems topped the list at 33% of complaints (median mileage 46,860), followed by Electrical System at 29% and Brakes at 16%, with brake-related failures reported at a median of just 429 miles. Owners described steering wheels pulling hard to one side at highway speed and stability systems triggering rollovers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for suspect seat belt bolts. Six crashes and seven injuries were reported for this year.
2021 engine problems →2021 electrical system problems →2021 brakes problems →
2019 Chevrolet Blazer Index 80 · 186 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2019 Blazer logged 186 complaints and a complaint index of 80, the third worst of all years. Transmission & Powertrain issues led at 34% of complaints, followed closely by Electrical System problems at 32%, with a median failure mileage of 33,000 for both areas. Owners described sudden acceleration while shifting into park and brake pedals going hard with no stopping power. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this year, covering suspension/tire inspection and a transmission accumulator bolt issue. Four crashes and two injuries were reported.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →
Most common Chevy Blazer problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System226 (30%)
- Engine213 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain184 (24%)
- Other164 (22%)
- Steering100 (13%)
- Brakes82 (11%)
- Fuel System63 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras47 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires32 (4%)
- Lane Departure18 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Chevrolet Blazer should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2019, 2020, and 2021 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 80, 100, and 90, the three highest among all 11 Blazer years covered.
- Which Chevrolet Blazer year is the worst?
- The 2020 model year is the worst, with a complaint index of 100, 219 complaints, 3 recall campaigns, and the highest injury count (7) among Blazer years.
- Is there a best year for the Chevrolet Blazer?
- No Blazer year earns a Best verdict. The 2005-2008 and 2022 model years rate Good, the highest verdict reached, based on lower complaint indexes and fewer reported problems.
- What are the most common problems with the Chevrolet Blazer?
- Across all years, Electrical System issues account for 30% of complaints (226 total), followed by Engine at 28% (213 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain at 24% (184 complaints).
- Does the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2020 Blazer, covering suspension/tire inspection, a transmission accumulator bolt issue, and an airbag diffuser module replacement.