2021 Chevrolet Blazer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer has 133 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 90, and ranks 2nd-worst out of 11 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine and electrical issues top the complaint list, with one seat belt recall affecting this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #2 of 11 Blazer years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 133
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2021 Chevy Blazer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine44 (33%)
- Electrical System38 (29%)
- Brakes21 (16%)
- Other21 (16%)
- Fuel System18 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (14%)
- Steering15 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (5%)
- Lane Departure3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles have stalled or died suddenly while in motion, including at low speed in parking lots, with no dashboard warning first.
- The steering wheel has pulled hard to one side at highway speed, in one case sending the vehicle into a median and deploying the air bags.
- Owners describe the rear suspension losing control after a popping noise, with the vehicle fishtailing and crashing.
- The instrument cluster and dashboard display has gone blank while driving, then rebooted, temporarily hiding speed and turn signal indicators.
- Owners report random electrical glitches including headlights switching beams on their own, the hatch opening by itself, AWD popping noises, and erratic transmission shifting with no trouble codes.
- Some drivers heard a grinding noise from the brakes at very low mileage, including one report at 400 miles and another at 700 miles.
2021 Chevrolet Blazer recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V811000Dec 23, 2020Seat Belts470 vehicles
Seat belts:critical fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
2021 Chevrolet Blazer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Blazer a complaint index of 90 and a rank of 2nd-worst among 11 model years, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other Blazer years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer?
- Engine issues account for 33% of complaints (44 total), followed by electrical system problems at 29% (38 complaints) and brake complaints at 16% (21 complaints).
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2021 Blazer covering seat belt bolts, issued alongside several other GM models; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- At what mileage do 2021 Blazer engine problems tend to show up?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 46,860 miles at the time engine problems were reported.
- Are other Chevrolet Blazer years better than 2021?
- Yes. Years like 2005 through 2008 and 2022 carry a Good verdict with much lower complaint indexes, while 2019 and 2020 also carry an Avoid verdict like 2021.