Service brakes, electrical system, and powertrain issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The 2020 Chevy Blazer is considered an iconic SUV with its stylish good looks. Even the automaker claims this model provides “style, with plenty of substance.” However, customers are finding it comes with much more than what they bargained from, from the defective service brakes to the faulty electrical system and malfunctioning powertrain.
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No one wants the service brakes in a vehicle to fail. If they do, an accident is imminent. Yet, customers driving the 2020 Chevy Blazer are regularly facing some serious concerns.
One NHTSA complaint states, “I was driving about 35 mph going straight when my Chevy Blazer acted as if it hit a brick wall and came to a complete stop. I got out and noticed my right front wheel was completely smashed into my car. Something had come loose internally and locked up my wheel. It damaged my car so bad where my suspension was damaged. It had to be towed. It was non-drivable. My vehicle only had 1300 miles on it. I decided at last minute to not get on highway.”
It turns out this Chevy has massive recalls that are also causing some big problems. NHTSA Campaign Number 21V115000 says that some of the tires were cured too long, which can result in sudden air loss or belt edge separation and a sudden loss of control. If this happens, everyone hopes the air bags are working, but NHTSA Campaign Number 20V446000 states otherwise. This recall points out that the Roof-Rail air bag might not be crimped properly, causing a separation, which prevents the air bag from deploying. At this point, it would be fair to say the Blazer is suffering from “a lack of substance.”
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power Train | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Steering | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Tires | |
| Wheels | |
| Suspension | |
| Vehicle Speed Control |
Vehicles must have properly working electrical systems to keep occupants safe and create an enjoyable ride, but this Blazer fails miserably.
Another NHTSA complaint states, “Twice while I have been driving, the instrument panel went black. In motion.”
It’s very hard to drive with no access to the speed of the vehicle, how much gas is in the car and the other valuable data found on this gauge. However, this isn’t the only issue the Blazer is facing. A class action lawsuit in Florida claims that 2020 Chevy Blazer models have a defect that causes the sound volume of the stereo to max out with no input from anyone in the cabin. This sudden and loud noise can cause an on-road safety hazard, leading to possible accidents. Apparently, Chevy wants to make sure everyone hears loud and clear that it makes a stylish SUV.
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Finally, a look at the Blazer powertrain reveals some alarming issues. What’s even worse is this isn’t a cheap car that’s being discussed, but it would appear to be built like one.
An Edmunds user stated, “”The wimpy 1500 lb towing capacity means that the transmission might give up and quit soon after the warranty period is up. The top models feature a 4500 lb towing capacity which means better cooling apparatus on the transmission so it should last much longer. By contrast the entry level Nissan Pathfinder can tow 6000 lbs with its CVT transmission. It’s not just about pulling boats or campers. It’s about investing in a vehicle that could last for 500k miles and get handed down to your kids. But make sure you always take any Nissan only to the dealer for transmission service. CVT transmissions require special fluid and many shops end up adding regular transmission fluid resulting in premature failure after a few days of driving. If you mainly lease your vehicles for shorter periods of time and are getting into the Chevy Blazer mostly for its drop dead GORGEOUS looks, then the life of its tranny might be of lower concern. However if you do opt for the entry level model with long term ownership in mind, beyond 100k miles: consider your extended warranty options. Transmission replacements cost thousands.”
It turns out there have been recalls for the powertrain too. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V668000 affects nearly 200,000 vehicles and states that the start/stop accumulator endcap might be lacking some necessary bolts that should have been installed at the factory. These missing bolts could lead to a transmission fluid leak and a loss of propulsion, increasing the chance of a crash. What’s worse is that anytime fluid is leaking, there’s an elevated chance of a car fire. Sadly, most owners probably wish that their Blazer would go up in a blaze of glory right about now.
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Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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