YearToAvoid

2020 Chevrolet Blazer Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 73 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, 33% of its 219 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,000. A related recall (20V668000) covers the start-stop transmission accumulator, though it targets other GM models primarily.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
73
33% of 219
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
50,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the automatic transmission jolting forward with an RPM spike during upshifts, sometimes triggering the check engine light.
  • Several owners describe the vehicle displaying "Shift to Park" errors even though the car is in park, preventing the engine from turning off or doors from locking.
  • Multiple reports describe the vehicle rolling backward after the driver exits, with the transmission still engaged in drive despite the engine being off.
  • Some owners report the transmission unexpectedly dropping to a low gear without warning, cutting top speed to under 20 mph.
  • Owners also describe the vehicle failing to shift into reverse when commanded, with no dashboard warning or diagnosis performed.
  • A few complaints mention transmission skipping paired with electrical symptoms like steering assist shutting down or the radiator fan running continuously.

When 2020 Chevrolet Blazer transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 7, 2020, latest Sep 19, 2026.

2020 Chevrolet Blazer transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month6Aug 2020Jan 2023Feb 2024Oct 2024May 2025Nov 2025May 2026
73 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2025 (6).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer

  1. NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

    Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Blazer model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201964 (34%)
  2. 202073 (33%)
  3. 202118 (14%)
  4. 202211 (22%)
  5. 202310 (23%)
  6. 20248 (17%)
  7. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA lists 73 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2020 Blazer, making up 33% of all 219 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer transmission?
Yes, recall 20V668000 addresses the start-stop transmission accumulator, though the campaign primarily covers other GM models like the Equinox and Traverse alongside the Blazer.
At what mileage do transmission problems usually appear on the 2020 Blazer?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for transmission & powertrain complaints is 50,000 miles.
Did the 2020 Blazer's transmission issues cause any injuries or crashes?
NHTSA data shows 2 injuries and 0 crashes and 0 fires linked to transmission & powertrain complaints for this model year.
Are transmission complaints worse in the 2020 Blazer than other years?
The 2020 Blazer's 33% share of complaints tied to transmission & powertrain is close to the 2019 model's 34%, and higher than later years like 2021 at 14% and 2024 at 17%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.