2021 Chevrolet Blazer Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine3822.4%
- Electrical3721.8%
- Brakes1911.2%
- Powertrain (other)1810.6%
- Fuel system1710.0%
- Steering158.8%
- Driver assistance105.9%
- Tires & wheels42.4%
- Suspension42.4%
- Airbags21.2%
- Body & structure21.2%
- Other / unspecified21.2%
- Exterior lighting10.6%
- Interior & seats10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The thermostat malfunctioned causing an error message regarding “steering assist is reduced”. When I parked and turned off, the engine fan continued to run. When car was restarted, the temp gauge inside was stuck at C. Took to dealership and they assessed. They repaired the thermostat under power train warranty, however there was a crack in the radiator (top) resulting in the need for a new radiator. This vehicle had 35,000 miles on it. Upon research online, it seems there are MANY people who have had this same issue and worse. It appears cars produced during COVID era are most affected. Chevy refused to warranty the issue. The dealership offered a small cost reduction (due to our loyalty). The thermostat and the radiator issues seem to be well known by Chevy, they just refuse to accept responsibility. Now we are out thousands of dollars on a basically “new” vehicle.
The thermometer and thermometer sensor are glitching . The engine temp needle will not rise at all, the engine fan will run the whole time driving and then when it is turned off will run for 10 min . Right before this happens a notice shows the guided steering is being limited. I disconnected the battery and it reset , I drove and there were no issues , next time I started my car the engine temp needle stayed down and the van started again. This car has 36k miles on it. I just bought it 2 days before it started happening
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The thermometer and thermometer sensor are glitching . The engine temp needle will not rise at all, the engine fan will run the whole time driving and then when it is turned off will run for 10 min . Right before this happens a notice shows the guided steering is being limited. I disconnected the battery and it reset , I drove and there were no issues , next time I started my car the engine temp needle stayed down and the van started again. This car has 36k miles on it. I just bought it 2 days before it started happening
Lost coolant temp so replaced sensor with one from auto zone and worked for one then pegged to cold again fan runs 100% so went and bought another coolant temp sensor from Chevrolet installed that worked two pegged back to cold again fan 100% now going to pay $700.00 dollars to remove the two sensor wires for the harness all the two the Ecm heard with it being wrapped in the coil wires it gets electromagnetic static due to degradation of wires. Also Radiator started leaking after couple years but they want $3100.00 dollars for that.Was told extended warranty ran out three days before they discovered radiator leak.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Went to park car in a park to drop daughter off and it sputtered out and stalled out of nowhere with no warning. I had received a lamp warning very sporadically prior to this and on occasion that stated 'reduced steering assist drive with care' this resulted in heavy steering for that drive until car was shut off and then it would go away and be fine again, fixed the car through Knudtsen Chevy due to a recall about a month before on the issue with the engine being turned off and it thinking it was still hot and still running the fan (even though the car was not running). Knudtsen fixed that issue. Low battery voltage light did not come on however battery was older so had battery installed at park to ensure the issue was not due to the battery. The oil was fresh and showed no issues, changed 2 weeks before fresh oil no issues found during service. When tried to restart the car it would think it would try to start and then sputter out and not stay in idle. Les Schwab left and called a mobile mechanic to bring the computer. Computer was hooked up and it would try to start, however, it would not know it was already running and try to start again on it's own...the codes that came up were the PO101 code came up for Mass Air Flow issue...and then the codes would go in a wild sequence of fail.....mechanic checked for loose connections around air filter, took air filter out and it was clean no issues, checked pipe no visible issues. We walked away and walked around the park to give it some time to sit and then we tried it again and it tried and sputtered out and died again would not stay idling. Then all of a sudden we heard it try to start itself without us trying to start it and it clanked. We hauled it to Knudtsen for a diagnosis. They stated "the motor will not turn this way or that way and it is seized or locked up". This is a 2021 with only 89,000 miles it should have a longer life than this. Please investigate and is there anything we can do to fix it?
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the electronic parking brake independently activated. Additionally, the failure had occurred while the vehicle was parked. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the transmission was slipping gears before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive forward or move while in reverse. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact, who was an independent mechanic, diagnosed the failure as a clutch solenoid failure. The contact stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The thermostat malfunctioned causing an error message regarding “steering assist is reduced”. When I parked and turned off, the engine fan continued to run. When car was restarted, the temp gauge inside was stuck at C. Took to dealership and they assessed. They repaired the thermostat under power train warranty, however there was a crack in the radiator (top) resulting in the need for a new radiator. This vehicle had 35,000 miles on it. Upon research online, it seems there are MANY people who have had this same issue and worse. It appears cars produced during COVID era are most affected. Chevy refused to warranty the issue. The dealership offered a small cost reduction (due to our loyalty). The thermostat and the radiator issues seem to be well known by Chevy, they just refuse to accept responsibility. Now we are out thousands of dollars on a basically “new” vehicle.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
fuel pump control module failed at 26000. recall number N252516900. This is a recall that other 2021 blazers have ben part of. Over 300000 recalls so far. GM says my car isn't. Ridiculous. They dont want to acknowledge their fault. I need a formal statement that this module should be recalled for my car.
XXX the car had gas, turned over, but would not start. I had it towed to a repair center who towed, did diagnostics and came up with the codes for a bad fuel pump control module. It was replaced and the car starts. There was no warning. Problem was confirmed by an independent service center. All documentation is available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle showed an error on the dash which stated "Action Required Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care" I tool the vehicle to the dealer I purchased it from McClusky Chevy at Kings Auto Mall in Mason Ohio. They informed me that the error code is C0460:58 and GM has a service bulletin 20-NA-215 which advises to replace the Steering Gear due to internal component interference. No one explained to me that this could cause catastrophic failure and lead to a crash before I left the dealership. They could not replace it as they said they do not have the part and it is on national backorder. Additionally they told me the repair would cost me $3,400. The vehicle has 42k miles on it and this repair is not under warranty as the warranty that would have covered it expired in March of 2026. I have taken the vehicle to a different GM dealer - Tom Gill GMC in Fairfield Ohio - they are waiting on the part and I have a case opened with GM regarding the costs. You would think that if there is a risk of a catastrophic failure which could cause harm to my self or someone else - the dealer would have an obligation to tell me so before i drive off. If not legally, certainly morally.
In September 2023, when getting my vehicle serviced for a routine oil change, I was told there was a leak in my radiator. They replaced the entire thing under warranty. On November 15th, 2025, while driving on the highway heading home from out of town with my children, an error flashed up saying “steering assist is reduced – drive with care” Upon arriving home, the fan on my car was running on high for a solid 10 minutes after turning the car off. No recall but Special Coverage N252508350 covers the thermostat replacement. Upon inspection by a mechanic, I was informed that the radiator is also leaking again in the exact same spot as it was previously. It should be noted I have never seen leaking fluid in my garage/driveway. I’ve driven less than 10,000 miles since the radiator was replaced previously. If there is a known problem with the coolant system which can cause overheating and steering assist issues, why isn't the faulty radiator and thermostat recalled. The radiator is cased in plastic to aluminum. Plastic can easily catch fire if a car overheats. The casing also prevents an owner from even knowing if there is a leak since the plastic is catching leaks - the mechanic informed me that's why I didn't know about both times it leaked. This is a 4yr old car with 46k miles, twice replaced radiator and thermostat. A recall should be issued since both problems could potentially cause a fire from an overheated engine & loss of steering assist while driving. A google search quickly showed me thousands of other Chevy Blazers from 2019-2021 with reoccurring thermostat and radiator issues. I feel unsafe driving in my vehicle but still owe too much to even trade it in for something else. I've owned dozens of vehicles in my lifetime, used and new and keep them 8-10yrs and have never had to replace a thermostat and radiator. This vehicle is dangerous due to GM/Chevy's cheap radiator model and thermostat which could overheat and catch fire
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The thermometer and thermometer sensor are glitching . The engine temp needle will not rise at all, the engine fan will run the whole time driving and then when it is turned off will run for 10 min . Right before this happens a notice shows the guided steering is being limited. I disconnected the battery and it reset , I drove and there were no issues , next time I started my car the engine temp needle stayed down and the van started again. This car has 36k miles on it. I just bought it 2 days before it started happening
For about a week and a half my car had made a high pitched wheezing/hubbing sound when started cold. This occurred at all temperatures cold and warm. Yesterday December 13th I went to run some errands and about a mile into my drive my 2021 3lt 3.6 V6 Chevrolet Blazer lost the ability to power itself. There was no electrical problem however the power train lost power all gears drive and reverse. I was able to get off the roadway without incident. I scan my check engine light and had several check engine lights including a P 0796.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Tires - purchased vehicle from car dealership two weeks ago. Drivers side rear tire low. Aired up was low again next day. Blow out On freeway tires are unsafe. Per Discount Tire said tire could not be repaired . all four tired unsafe, tread issue. Replaced two rear tires. Unknown when light came on. Tire size 265/45r21 dot A3LMWD 30
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Crosscontact LX Sport, Tire Size: 235/65/R18, DOT: (Unavailable). The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and driving over snow covered roads, the rear end was swaying. The tires were wearing from the inside out. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the tires needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and offered to assist with the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving on straight road going speed limit. Heard a pop behind me like a tire pop. Car fish tailed uncontrollably and ended up crashing into a Ranch Fence on the right side of the road. 2 of my kids and myself had injuries. When we got off the vehicle witnesses and I saw A rear link broken which keeps the tires straight.
The first incident started on 08/16/2024, 2 days after buying the vehicle used from Dealership. I started getting notifications stating "Service-Front Camera not available" and sure enough, I no longer had a front camera, which then means I no longer have front collision alerts. Then I started getting the random notifications to drive carefully because drivers assistance has been reduced, and now my vehicle's fan will randomly run for up to 30 minutes after it has been shut off and even after a less than 2 mile drive to gas station and back home, it does this. Last item is the vehicle pulls to the right, and I have not hit anything nor has it ever been in an accident prior to my purchase, and my brakes squeal horribly, which shouldn't be happening condidering I haven't even driven the vehicle 5,000 miles in the year since I bought it !
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer, causing severe damage to the vehicle's front end. The contact stated that smoke was coming from the center of the steering wheel; however, the vehicle's air bags had not deployed. The contact was transported to the local hospital and treated for chest injuries. The vehicle was towed to a local collision center. No further information was available. A Police report was filed at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 52,661.
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, a 2012 Mazda CX-7, allegedly going at 70 MPH traveled through an intersection and crashed into her vehicle. The Mazda later crashed into another unknown vehicle. All the air bags deployed; however, the driver's side air bag exploded in her face. The air bag dust was in the vehicle. The contact was rendered unconscious due to the incident. All the warning lights illuminated after the crash. OnStar was activated and disabled the vehicle. There were unknown fluids leaking from the vehicle. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a severe brain injury, and medical attention was provided at the hospital. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The insurance company later towed the vehicle on a flatbed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance agency. The failure mileage was approximately 36,463.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
To whom it may concern, I own a 2021 chevrolet blazer I have been noticing a very large amount of water on the front floor boards since this discovery the windows being moist in the mornings make sence l. The windshield has been replaced several times with no obvious leaks at this location. There is no visible leaks during heavy rain or car washing, the biggest concern i have it if there's moisture I am more likely to develop electrical problems not to mention the moldy smell in the vehicle. I have done extensive research and found this to be a problem with most Chevrolet Blazer's my question is does Chevrolet have a solution to the problem that has found its way to many customers. I would believe with the number of complaints the Chevrolet engineers are working on a solution or a reason for this problem. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My car caught on fire for no apparent reason. Front of car totally destroyed.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle is available upon request. 5/28/23 tires needed replaced, not even 30,000 miles on car. Customer was charged. 6/13/23 struts and mounts replaced at dealership 3/29/24-Revs high when barely touching pedal. Turned car off and it started back up on its own. Happens at least once a week. Dealership was unable to recreate. 4/1/24- wheel bearing replaced, customer was charged. April 2024 black metal showing through white paint. Paint was thin and fading. Dealership repainted the 2 doors that had paint issues. 12/20/24- Antifreeze level was at bottom of reservoir. Sloshing noise when driving. Was told air in hoses and will work it's way out. Was back at dealership 1/15/25, 1/24/25 & 2/5/25. Radiator fluid still dropping but even with dye test they can't figure out where it's going. Terrified it's going to effect the water pump and engine.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while stopped at a railroad track, the vehicle independently stopped and went into crash mode while on the railroad tracks upon acceleration. The contact shifted the vehicle into reverse and then into park. Once the vehicle was placed into drive, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they replaced an unknown module and performed a software update. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact also stated that while driving at 40 mph, the traction control warning light illuminated on the instrument panel as the steering power was reduced. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer and the mechanic replaced the rear differential, clutch, and control module. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 4,400
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS FLASH OR STAY ON EITHER LOW OR HI BEAM,HATCH OPENS ITSELF, AWD POPING, NOISE IN DASH, SHIFTING INTO AWD BY ITSELF, TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY . THERE IS NO PATTERN AND IT THROWS NO CODES. MAJOR ELECTRIC PROBLEMS. THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD DIDN'T WORK THE DAY I PURCHASED MY CAR. HAD A NEW ONE INSTALLED 3 PROGRAMS AND NOW ALL THIS STARTED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS FLASH OR STAY ON EITHER LOW OR HI BEAM,HATCH OPENS ITSELF, AWD POPING, NOISE IN DASH, SHIFTING INTO AWD BY ITSELF, TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY . THERE IS NO PATTERN AND IT THROWS NO CODES. MAJOR ELECTRIC PROBLEMS. THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD DIDN'T WORK THE DAY I PURCHASED MY CAR. HAD A NEW ONE INSTALLED 3 PROGRAMS AND NOW ALL THIS STARTED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .