2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 6 Trailblazer years
The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer ranks worst of the 6 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 193 complaints, 4 recalls, and top issues in the Engine (43 complaints) and Electrical System (42 complaints). NHTSA data support an Avoid verdict for this year.
- Complaints
- 193
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 28 city / 31 hwy
Top 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other59 (31%)
- Engine43 (22%)
- Electrical System42 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain40 (21%)
- Brakes31 (16%)
- Fuel System18 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (7%)
- Structure & Body8 (4%)
- Steering6 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report brake failures where pedal pressure produced little or no stopping force, sometimes while the car veered to the right.
- Some vehicles caught fire after a crash or while driving, with smoke coming from the front end or floor area before flames spread.
- One owner described the vehicle lurching forward on its own while parking at low speed, jumping a median and hitting a building.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a moderate-speed frontal collision despite the impact being severe enough to total the vehicle.
- The backup camera display was reported to wash out with bright white light at night, making it hard to see behind the vehicle.
- Owners noted body defects such as paint bubbling on the hood and missing fender clips shortly after purchase.
2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V440000Jun 10, 2021Other135,400 vehicles
Equipment:mechanical:accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift:stand
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
Risk: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A212335470.
- NHTSA 20V588000Sep 24, 2020Brakes3,677 vehicles
Service brakes
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.
Risk: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.
- NHTSA 20V537000Sep 3, 2020Structure & Body105 vehicles
Seats:critical fasteners
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
Risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.
2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 28 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 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 Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Trailblazer has the highest complaint index (100) among the 6 model years tracked and is rated Avoid relative to other Trailblazer years.
- What are the biggest problem areas for the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints (43, 22% share) as the top problem area, followed by Electrical System (42 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain (40 complaints).
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Trailblazer covering the emergency jack, an electronic brake boost module, front seat attachment bolts, and a tire certification label. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Trailblazer compare to other model years?
- The 2021 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than the 2022 (80), 2023 (60), 2024 (40), and 2025 (20), making it the worst-ranked year in NHTSA complaint data.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
- EPA rates the 2021 Trailblazer at 29 mpg combined (28 city/31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.