EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT:STAND
2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 202 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 754 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | 1 | 11 |
| Jul 2021 | 3 | 14 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 15 |
| Sep 2021 | 3 | 18 |
| Oct 2021 | 2 | 20 |
| Nov 2021 | 5 | 25 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 26 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 27 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 28 |
| Mar 2022 | 2 | 30 |
| Apr 2022 | 3 | 33 |
| May 2022 | 3 | 36 |
| Aug 2022 | 2 | 38 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 39 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 40 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 41 |
| Dec 2022 | 2 | 43 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 44 |
| Mar 2023 | 3 | 47 |
| Apr 2023 | 4 | 51 |
| Jun 2023 | 2 | 53 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 54 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 56 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 57 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 58 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 59 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 60 |
| Mar 2024 | 4 | 64 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 65 |
| May 2024 | 4 | 69 |
| Jun 2024 | 2 | 71 |
| Jul 2024 | 8 | 79 |
| Aug 2024 | 2 | 81 |
| Sep 2024 | 7 | 88 |
| Oct 2024 | 2 | 90 |
| Nov 2024 | 11 | 101 |
| Dec 2024 | 3 | 104 |
| Jan 2025 | 2 | 106 |
| Feb 2025 | 4 | 110 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 111 |
| Apr 2025 | 7 | 118 |
| May 2025 | 4 | 122 |
| Jun 2025 | 4 | 126 |
| Jul 2025 | 3 | 129 |
| Aug 2025 | 7 | 136 |
| Sep 2025 | 6 | 142 |
| Oct 2025 | 6 | 148 |
| Nov 2025 | 2 | 150 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 152 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 153 |
| Feb 2026 | 3 | 156 |
| Mar 2026 | 7 | 163 |
| Apr 2026 | 7 | 170 |
| May 2026 | 2 | 172 |
| Jun 2026 | 5 | 177 |
| Jul 2026 | 11 | 188 |
| Aug 2026 | 2 | 190 |
| Sep 2026 | 3 | 193 |
| Oct 2026 | 6 | 199 |
| Nov 2026 | 3 | 202 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Powertrain (other)4318.7%
- Engine4117.8%
- Electrical4117.8%
- Brakes3314.3%
- Driver assistance208.7%
- Fuel system187.8%
- Body & structure83.5%
- Steering73.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSERVICE BRAKES
SEATS; SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
When I stop to park, a 'shift to park' light comes on. Have to restart vehicle 2-4 times and shift out of park, then re-shift to park. This has happened several times in the past two years. Most recently, vehicle will shift to park but will not move if put into reverse. Please help.
- NHTSA ID
- 11776753
- Incident
- Nov 7, 2026
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious and potentially life-threatening braking malfunction involving my 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS. While actively driving the vehicle, three separate warning messages suddenly appeared on the dashboard: Service Power Steering Service ESC Brake System Failure At approximately the same time, the brake pedal suddenly became extremely hard. I had to apply excessive physical force to the brake pedal in an attempt to slow and stop the vehicle. The vehicle did not respond as expected when braking. I nearly crashed because I could not stop the vehicle normally. This malfunction occurred unexpectedly while the vehicle was being driven. It was not an issue that occurred when starting the vehicle. The sudden loss of normal braking assistance created an immediate and extremely dangerous situation. A driver should never have to wonder whether their vehicle will be able to stop when the brake pedal is applied. 2. Previous Dealership Visit and GM Engineering Involvement I previously brought the vehicle to the dealership because of this same braking problem. GM engineers became involved and instructed the dealership to address a computer ground connection and perform a software update to the brake module. I paid approximately $200 for this attempted repair. Unfortunately, the very next morning after picking up the vehicle, the exact same braking malfunction occurred again. The fact that the problem returned the morning immediately following the repair raises serious concerns that the underlying safety defect was never properly identified or corrected. 3. Additional Repair Estimate After the problem continued, the dealership presented me with a repair recommendation totaling approximately $3,094.44. continued below
- NHTSA ID
- 11775287
- Incident
- Apr 12, 2026
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious engine failure in my 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS that occurred while I was driving. While driving, the vehicle displayed the warning message “Engine Power Reduced” and I experienced a loss of power steering. Approximately 30 seconds after these warnings and symptoms appeared, the engine failed and I was stranded. The vehicle became inoperable. The sudden loss of engine power and power steering while the vehicle was in motion created an extremely dangerous situation. The vehicle could no longer be safely operated, and I was left stranded after an abrupt failure while driving. This vehicle has experienced recurring engine-related problems since approximately 30,000 miles. Despite previous repair attempts and ongoing concerns, it has now suffered a severe engine failure. The dealership’s diagnostic report states that the engine died and would not crank or start. The technician diagnosed a shredded or failed timing belt that caused the engine to jump timing. The report further documents internal engine damage, including piston-to-valve contact and exhaust-side rocker arms displaced from the valves/lifters. The dealership recommends replacement of the complete engine assembly. The estimated cost to replace the engine is approximately $6,200. I contacted General Motors regarding this failure. GM has offered to contribute only 10% toward the repair cost, leaving me responsible for the overwhelming majority of the expense despite the vehicle’s history of recurring problems. I am concerned that this failure may represent a serious safety defect. Other owners of the same vehicle have reported similar engine-related problems.
- NHTSA ID
- 11775064
- Incident
- Oct 16, 2026
As I was driving down the road the check engine light lit on and vehicle went into limp mode which didn’t let me accelerate over 20 miles an hour. This happened in a busy intersection after safely and cautiously moving to the right to avoid any traffic collisions we got it towed. The codes that came up were P0700 and P0796 Transmission failure due to a stuck solenoid. Chevy has Internal bulletin 20-NA-120 regarding these breakdowns. It’s a known problem and one that is dangerous to the public because these incidents can happen anywhere even on busy highways or freeways.
- NHTSA ID
- 11774900
- Incident
- Oct 17, 2026
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The message "Reduce Engine Power" was displayed before the instrument panel went blank. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was towed to several mechanics and the dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed with timing chain failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 48,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11773763
- Incident
- Oct 14, 2026
- Mileage
- 48,000 mi
I have been having issues shifting into park. My Trailblazer will sit there and tell me to shift into park multiple times before it will recognize park. I’ve had to hit the gear shift a couple times before it will recognize park.
- NHTSA ID
- 11773350
- Incident
- Oct 20, 2026
While driving on the interstate on October 17, 2026, my 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer (1.2L turbo) suddenly lost engine power and would not accelerate, with the check engine light on. I had to coast to the shoulder and have the vehicle towed. The dealer diagnosed a failed turbocharger and a failed timing belt at 110,904 miles — far below GM's own 150,000-mile replacement interval for this belt. A timing belt that fails early can cause sudden, total loss of power at highway speed with no warning. This is a serious safety hazard. An Ohio state trooper had to assist with getting myself and my minor son off the interstate and to a safe location.
- NHTSA ID
- 11772321
- Incident
- Oct 17, 2026
My 2021 Trailblazer does not shift into drive properly from park or reverse. When shifting into drive, the engine revs but does not move forward. In some cases, the vehicle also shakes and jolts for several seconds. It is also slow to shift into higher gears at high speeds on the freeway. In cases of quick acceleration, the check engine light comes on and the message "Engine Power Reduced" shows. This has caused potentially dangerous situations where I am not able to accelerate to match the flow of traffic, especially when merging onto the freeway. I have taken the car to both a Chevy dealership and an independent shop, who have both confirmed that there is a "loss of forward gear" and pulled codes P2714 and P0700. I have been told that I most likely need a transmission replacement at only 34,000 miles.
- NHTSA ID
- 11769082
- Incident
- Jul 20, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3
This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This Preliminary Information provides the dealer information of the location of the rear seat child anchors.
This Preliminary Information provides a diagnostic tip for diagnosing an issue with Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise and Lane Keep Assist Turns Off or Inoperative.
This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 53.8 |
| 2025 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 46.4 |
| 2024 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 48.5 |
| 2023 | 76 | 0 | 0 | 47.1 |
| 2022 | 113 | 1 | 0 | 47.7 |
| 2021Viewing | 202 | 4 | 0 | 56.1 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 50.8 |
| 2008 | 193 | 0 | 1 | 45.1 |
| 2007 | 732 | 5 | 4 | 61.9 |
| 2006 | 1,108 | 8 | 4 | 61.6 |
| 2005 | 1,466 | 2 | 2 | 54.1 |
| 2004 | 1,081 | 2 | 4 | 58.0 |
| 2003 | 901 | 8 | 8 | 63.4 |
| 2002 | 1,149 | 13 | 10 | 65.2 |
| 2001 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 35.6 |
| 2000 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 38.7 |
| 1999 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.