Brake, engine, electrical system, and tire issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Everyone was excited to see the 2021 Chevy Blazer, especially since the automaker claims it has “head-turning form.” However, this model has turned into a big disappointment for some owners. Common complaints relate to noisy brakes that sound worn out, an electrical system with a myriad of problems, and various engine issues including a 2021 Blazer catching fire.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2019 2020 2022 2023
The most common problems reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other reputable sources, including Lemberg Law, relate to problematic brakes, malfunctioning electrical systems, and faulty engines. Tires are also proving to be a big problem.
However, there are many other components and systems that are listed in NHTSA complaints. These include back-over prevention, exterior lighting, forward collision avoidance, the fuel/propulsion system, lane departure, powertrain, seats, steering, structure, and the traction control system.
Additionally, there is a recall that affects the 2021 Blazer and several other GM vehicles. The issue is that incorrect bolts may have been used to fasten seat belts to these vehicles in one or more locations. This means that the seat belts may not be attached to the vehicles properly. If there is a crash, the seat belts may not restrain occupants, which increases the risk of injury.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Steering | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Power Train | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Structure:body |
Lemberg Law is already investigating consumer complaints about the 2021 Chevy Blazer brakes — so we know this is a major problem. There are many manufacturer communications on file with the NHTSA that acknowledge it is an issue. You can find these on the NHTSA 2021 Chevrolet Blazer website page under Service Brakes and Service Brakes, Hydraulic. The first was filed on May 27, 2021, and the most recent on November 12, 2023.
In the very first technical service bulletin (TSB), GM describes the sounds the brakes make as “a grind or growl noise coming from the brakes.” At first, the automaker asked dealerships to, “Please advise the customer that the vehicle is safe to drive and that engineering is working on a solution to this concern.” In the most recent TSB, they advise that the cause of this condition “may be the front disc brake pad material.”
Owners are wondering why it’s taking GM so long to identify the cause positively and provide a definitive solution.
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The first NHTSA complaint came from an owner in Michigan in May 2021 who reported an “occasional grinding noise when braking.” An owner from Florida reported exactly the same issue soon afterwards. This vehicle had less than 400 miles on the clock. Another owner from Michigan stated that there was “a loud brake grinding noise when slowly down at speeds of around 40 mph.” This Blazer had 700 miles.
Another Michigan owner, from a different part of the state, describes the issue slightly differently. “The brakes are noisy (like metal to metal, worn out) and the brake pedal is soft. Took the vehicle into the dealer (only 1,000 miles on odometer). They say GM is aware of a problem. How many people will die before this problem is fixed?”
The first owner to mention brake pads in a complaint stated the brakes were “grinding.” The dealership said the brake pads needed to be replaced but were on backorder. But there is no consistency to dealer responses. Yet another owner from Michigan was told that GM was “aware of the failure however, there was no fix.” This was in August 2021.
Fast forward to September 2023. A complaint from a Florida owner states that the “brakes make a squealing noise all the time, which is concerning. I was told by Beaver Chevrolet that this is normal as the brakes were changed in newer car models. They have made a squealing noise ever since I bought the car brand new.”
He was told “that they were unable to replace the brakes because they ‘weren’t squealing bad enough’.” The complaint goes on to say this is a safety hazard. “How are customers supposed to know when their breaks actually do go bad if they squeal all the time?”
Engine problems are varied, with some complaints being coupled with electrical issues that we will look at in the next section. Some may be linked to powertrain problems.
The most serious complaint on record is from an owner in Michigan whose “caught on fire for no apparent reason,” and was destroyed!
In a complaint that is also listed as being a powertrain issue, an owner from Florida describes how the Blazer stalls. The first time it happened, the driver was traveling at only 10 mph and attempting to make a left turn. It recurred with other drivers, but the dealer wasn’t able to find the cause of the failure.
Another owner from Michigan states that when accelerating, it hesitates when getting up to speed. “At times (it) feels like it is slipping to get traction.” The dealer says there is nothing wrong.
There are lots of complaints about the dash going blank and/or error messages that are displayed on the dash.
One complaint states that the driver of a 2021 Blazer with 1,200 miles experienced the instrument cluster panel going blank. Apart from not being able to see the speed, odometer, and other information, “it caused the steering wheel controls for radio volume and turning the station to not work. With this, I have no safety features like lane assist now and can’t tell my tire pressure.”
Another owner got three different error messages on the dash display:
“All of these errors are intermittent and have appeared while using 2 different remotes.” Replacing the batteries made no difference. “This in itself is not so much a safety hazard (annoying), but what is intermittently happening is the car shuts down while in drive and in reverse. So far it has not shut down on the freeway, but (it) has shut down while on city streets.” But, after taking the Blazer to two different dealerships seven times, they cannot duplicate the errors. “Clearly these errors are a nuisance and dangerous if the vehicle shuts down.”
You can read more complaints about the electrical system at the end of this post.
Problems owners are reporting relate to issues with the tread of tires and low air. In all these reported cases, the vehicles were equipped with Continental Tires.
One complaint states that the “tires were wearing from the inside out.” While driving at various speeds on snow-covered roads, “the rear end was swaying.” The Blazer had 14,000 miles on the clock, but the automaker refused to assist with the repair.
Another states that two weeks after buying new tires from the car dealership the driver’s side rear tire was low. The owner “aired up” but the tire was low again the next day. “Blow out on freeway – tires are unsafe.” According to a tire supplier, the tire could not be repaired. The owner’s belief is that all four tires are unsafe, and they also have a tread issue. He replaced the two rear tires.
When it happens to two people in one family, you might begin to wonder. The owner of a 2021 Chevy Blazer states in an NHTSA complaint that his daughter, who has the same vehicle, lost traction while driving at 30 mph. The rear driver’s side tire low air warning light was illuminated. He had exactly the same failure, so took both vehicles to the local dealer.
All eight tires were bald on both vehicles and they all needed to be replaced.
If you think you have a lemon, it’s a good idea to contact a legal firm like Lemberg Law that can assess your problems and advise you. The law makes Chevy pay legal fees, and you may be able to get your lemon out of your life.
All you have to do is fill out a contact form or call the Lemberg Law Helpline. We’ll be happy to help you free of charge.
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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My tachometer on my 2021 Blazer RS no longer works. And now my odometer has only blank dashes where the current miles on the vehicle should be showing. I know there are less than 10,000 miles on the vehicle.
Bought my 2021 Blazer mid 2022 new last one on the dealership lot. Had 35 miles on it. First month noticed electrical issues like dash going blank then reset. Loud blast of music without touching it. Turning off by itself. Trying to accelerate while foot on brake at a stop light. At 50,000 miles the fuel pump sensor has been replaced 3 times in under 4 months. 1 only lasted 20hours. I’m scared to drive it anymore. And my loan is 11 thousand more than current value. When my warranty goes out I’m doomed. Dealer mechanic calls it a Covid car.
May 8 noticed N oil leak; too to original dealership where purchased; they say no leak. Called GM! Took to local dealership. Replaced cam shaft seal; drove two weeks noticed leak again. Took back and they replaced Harmonic Balance. Picked it up 6/23 driven it two days and it is still leaking
I have a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer that I purchased on 3/06/21; my first trip back to dealership was from a sensor that took over 6 months to get in, had to be hauled in due to not cranking, taillights stay on after getting out of vehicle (they just replaced something for it); but said they couldn’t fix anything if it didn’t show up for them. The last episode was in March 2023. On 5/06/23 my husband noticed an oil leak under my car. He hauled it to dealership and they phoned to tell me it appeared to be an overfill, but nothing has been done since the last oil change months ago. It just started leaking Saturday and my brother said it was coming from rear main seal. Dealership has placed dye in it and says nothing is leaking. I am under 200 miles to my warranty is out! It is still at the dealership today! Beginning to get frustrated.
I bought my 2021 Chevy Blazer at the end of January 2022 brand new off the dealer lot. I have since had all the dash lights go off a total of 8 times in a 10-15 minute to drive home from work. I have complained to my dealer that I felt the car jerking like the transmission was missing. I had the vehicle back at the dealer because there was a constant, loud ticking noise coming from the car each time the wheel was turned. Finally, they told me I had an axle that was bad. After waiting a week to have the axle replaced, they informed me that they found another problem with a wheel bearing. This was all before or at 5,000 miles. I now have only 7,000 miles on this vehicle in 9 months, and I have almost bald tires. I have also complained that the rear end of the vehicle lags as though power in not distributed correctly. They tell me that there is nothing they can do if the vehicle does not show any warning lights on the dash. They say that there is not a problem, but I can feel it when I drive!! I owned my last vehicle for 12 years. This new Blazer is less smooth to drive than my 2010 Dodge Journey. I cannot afford to purchase another vehicle, and I am becoming very worried that this purchase will not last me the next 5 years, let along 12 like my other. This vehicle cost over $50,000.00 and drives like it should have been less than ten.
Absolutely horrendous vehicle. Brakes squealing and grinding at the 5,000 mile marker, electrical is shot. The seats adjust themselves when the car is off! Car did not stay locked (more electrical issues) and was gone through by someone on the street!!
Very uncomfortable seats and transmission slipping
I have a 2021 chevy blazer premier and my rear brakes are grinding. Is this normal its not even a year old.
I bought a 2021 Blazer RS 3 months ago. A week ago I was standing just outside the passenger door with the keys in my pocket. Vehicle shut off after a couple minutes. When I turned the vehicle back on, the seats and mirrors wouldn’t reset to my position setting and the AC will not get cold. It just blows air. The seats now work to my settings but the AC still only blows air. Not getting cold. I noticed after about a week it was issuing the rubber piece on the corner of the gate that makes it sit girly against the vehicle when closed. Also noticed inside the door jams huge bubbles of paint near the rubber door seals.
I have a 2021 Blazer 2LT. The fender/bumper pointed area just below the headlights both have broken clips and I can no longer go through the car wash! The dealer of course blamed the carwash. But if it were not loose and sticking out how would a piece of felt even get stuck there??? They want $150 to glue it! And said it would be a ‘temporary’ fix!!! SMH
I have a 2021 Blazer that I bought in February 2021. I had to take it in the first time with an electrical issue having it less than a month and under 600 miles. It’s been in several times since. The dealership has now had my vehicle since the end of June and it’s mid August. Still no answers or when I’ll have it back. Looking more like I won’t have it back. I’m paying for a car I don’t even have. This is ridiculous!