2021 Chevrolet TRAILBLAZER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
192 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 32 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 53 of 192 complaints (27.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 34 | 17.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 14.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 13.0% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 53 |
| Electrical System | 40 |
| Power Train | 40 |
| Engine | 38 |
| Service Brakes | 29 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 8 |
| Steering | 6 |
Unknown Or Other: 53; Electrical System: 40; Power Train: 40; Engine: 38; Service Brakes: 29; Fuel/Propulsion System: 17; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 8; Steering: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 160 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2025 | 48 |
| 2026 | 40 |
2020: 6; 2021: 20; 2022: 17; 2023: 15; 2024: 46; 2025: 48; 2026: 40
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 27 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 25 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11354660 · 2020-09-13 (September 13, 2020)
WHEN IT IS DARK OUTSIDE AND YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE LIGHTS NEXT TO THE BACK UP CAMERA CAUSES THE SCREEN INSIDE THE CAR TO SHOW BRIGHT WHITE. THERE IS NO WAY TO SHUT THE SCREEN OFF WHEN IN REVERSE. I HAVE TURNED THE BRIGHTNESS ALL THE WAY DOWN BUT IT IS STILL VERY BRIGHT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE YOUR SURROUNDINGS SAFELY. I HAVE ALMOST HIT A TREE AND DROVE INTO A DITCH TRYING TO REVERSE AT DARK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11354660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361549 · 2020-09-28 (September 28, 2020)
BRAKES REQUIRED EXTREME PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ACCIDENT BARELY AVOIDED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON BUSY SURFACE ROAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,075 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361549 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11366803 · 2020-10-28 (October 28, 2020)
PURCHASED ON 7/24/20. ON 8/1, FOUND A DEFECT SPOT ON GRILL. DEALERSHIP ORDERED NEW GRILL. ON 8/9, NOTICED PAINT BUBBLING/PEELING ON HOOD. 8/15 - 8/20, DEALERSHIP HAD GRILL REPLACED AND HOOD PAINTED. 8/21, NOTICED HOOD NOT PAINTED COMPLETELY. 8/24 - 8/28, DEALERSHIP HAD VEHICLE TO REPAINT HOOD. 9/17 FOUND FENDER CLIPS ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MISSING.10/2 BACK TO HAVE CLIPS INSTALLED. DEALER DIDN'T ORDER ENOUGH CLIPS SO WAITING ON MORE CLIPS TO ARRIVE. 10/16 BACK TO HAVE REMAINING CLIPS INSTALLED. 10/27 NOTICED PAINT PEELING UNDER PASSEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11366803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374603 · 2020-11-13 (November 13, 2020)
WHEN PARKING OR ABOUT TO MOVE AND YOU PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND GET INTO A GEAR A LOUD AUDIBLE POPPING NOISE COMES THROUGH THE STEREO SYSTEM. IT IS VERY LOUD AND NOT BASED ON HOW LOW OR HIGH THE VOLUME OF THE STEREO IS SET. THERE IS A THREAD ON TRAILBLAZERTALK.COM ABOUT IT NOW. HTTPS://WWW.TRAILBLAZERTALK.COM/THREADS/POPPING-NOISE-IN-RADIO-WHEN-BRAKES-APPLIED.244/#POST-1557
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374603 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375970 · 2020-11-23 (November 23, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ATTEMPTING TO PARK HER VEHICLE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING, JUMPED THE PARKING MEDIAN AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING FROM HER LAP BELT BUT DID NOT NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AUTHORITIES ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SID DILLON CHEVROLET - FREMONT(2500 E 23RD ST, FREMONT, NE 68025) WHER…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11375970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11384075 · 2020-12-18 (December 18, 2020)
THEIRS A DELAY ON BACKUP CAMERA.ALSO ON ANDROID PLAY IT SHUTS OF AND ON ON THE SCREEN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11384075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11394975 · 2021-02-06 (February 6, 2021)
THE BRAKES INCLUDING BRAKE ASSIST STOPPED WORKING. PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DID LITTLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE THAT WAS PREFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP 3 WEEKS AGO.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11396552 · 2021-02-16 (February 16, 2021)
BREAKS SQUEAKING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11396552 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V295000 · Equipment:Other:Labels | Tires
Reported: 2020-05-21 (May 21, 2020)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles factory-equipped with optional 17-inch sport terrain tires. The certification label on these vehicles does not provide the tire size and cold tire pressure information for front and rear tires, as required. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: If drivers are uninformed and overinflate or underinflate their tires, this may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and will mail corrected labels for customers to apply, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A202304070.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V537000 · Seats:Critical Fasteners | Seats
Reported: 2020-09-03 (September 3, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V588000 · Service Brakes
Reported: 2020-09-24 (September 24, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗21V440000 · Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift:Stand
Reported: 2021-06-10 (June 10, 2021)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗