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Originally launched as a high-end variant of the Chevrolet Blazer in 1999, the Trailblazer became a standalone model 3 years later. A large 7-seater SUV with lots of options, it initially only lasted 7 years, until 2008, but was relaunched in 2012. The 2021 third-generation Trailblazer is the 2021 model, a subcompact crossover CUV.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2022
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Issues with the Chevy Trailblazer
The problem history of the Chevrolet Trailblazer is an eye-opener. The United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received 1,281 complaints about the first standalone 2002 model.
These covered just about every possible component in the car, with the engine and cooling system topping 158 complaints, exterior lighting 157 complaints, and the fuel system/gasoline, 125 complaints. There were also 14 recalls, 3 related to the powertrain, and 2 to exterior lighting.
There were almost as many complaints the next year (1,265), with 9 recalls. The next year recalls decreased to 2 but there were 1,366 complaints. There were only 2 recalls in 2005, but even more complaints (1,690). Then they started to decrease, with 1,334 complaints but 8 recalls in 2006 and 773 + 5 recalls in 2007.
Things were getting better in 2008, with only 191 complaints to NHTSA and no recalls from General Motors (GM.) Even though the 2020 model was available in the U.S. there are no NHTSA records relating to this model.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer?
While there are undoubtedly fewer complaints about the Chevy Trailblazer than ever before, the 27 complaints to NHTSA cover a wide spectrum of problem components.
Service brakes hit the top of the list with 10 related problems. Other complaints affect airbags, the electrical system, the engine, equipment, exterior lighting, forward collision avoidance, the fuel/propulsion system, the structure of the vehicle, tires, vehicle speed control, visibility/wipers, and the wheels of the car.
2021 Chevy Trailblazer Brake Problems
Brake problems are not something any car owner can ignore. If your brakes fail, you are in danger. So, complaints of brakes failing or reduced functionality are a major issue. While one complaint said the brakes squeaked, more said theirs failed.
A complaint made in September 2021 described a 3-car collision that resulted in the complainant’s car catching on fire after brakes failed.
Another complainant states that the dealer won’t do anything about brake-squealing issues because, “there is no bulletin out for the car model.”
An eleventh service brake complaint is listed in “unknown or other.” This reports a loud popping noise from the stereo speakers when applying the brakes, The complainant says there are several other similar complaints on the Trailblazer forum.
2021 Chevy Trailblazer Electrical System Problems
These complaints range from major to minor.
The complaint mentioned above that resulted in a fire after brakes failed is also listed as an electrical system fault. Other issues relate to popping sounds before the power steering and brakes failed, the auto-stop not functioning properly, and noises made by the speakers in the car.
2021 Chevy Trailblazer Structural Problems
Structure problems are also varied, but with no apparent link. The first complaint in October 2020 is about bubbling paint. The problem stems from July that year, and when the complaint was made, the claim to GM was still open.
Another much more serious complaint reported the panoramic moonroof of the car exploding from the inside out. It reportedly sounded like a gunshot and the glass shattered!
The third complaint relates to multiple issues including faulty emergency braking, continuous noise, tire pressure that doesn’t work, and a bumper that is coming loose. This complainant claims that the dealer “put a bandaid on my problem and I still have all of these issues.”
What to do if your 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is a Lemon? Your Lemon Rights
With lemons dating back a decade, you may not be surprised if you buy one. But what do you do if you think that your Chevrolet Trailblazer is a lemon?
Don’t panic. Lemberg Law can help. We are a specialist consumer law firm and we handle lemon law cases free. So, if you believe that you’ve bought a lemon, contact us as soon as you can.
You don’t need to be stuck with your lemon. We will assess your case and do whatever we can to get you some sort of a settlement. It may be a buy-back, a replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement. We will represent you for no out of pocket cost. The law states that GM will pay your bill!
Share your story
Does this ring a bell? Have you had a bad experience too? Sound off and share your experience with other visitors in the comment box below.
About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 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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I’m a owner of a 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. It was purchase in February 2021 with 17 miles on it. As of June 2022 16,000 miles the transmission started slipping, put it in drive it stalls then takes off. It was taken to the dealership 4 times. They had no clue, now they say bad transmission. They have no loaner vehicle, and they’ve had my vehicle for over 35 days. The dealership says “General motors wants them to tear down the transmission”. Dealerships says “they have no open bay to work on it”. As of today 9/22/2022 have not started the tear down. I DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE BACK! General Motors, and Tm Lally Chevrolet Very POOR Customer service. Never will I purchase a Chevrolet again.
Cassie and Corrie,
Same problem here.with my 2021 Trailblazer. I was told it is the turbo boost and it needs to be replaced. Long story short my car has been in the shop since July 20 and as of today August 12 they are still waiting for the part. Was advised they have no clue even when they get the part they are waiting for they have no idea on how much longer they will have it.
Im very disappointed ans frustrated on how dealership has been handling it. I had to.make all the calls to check up on my vehicle. I honestly do think I will ever own another Chevrolet again.
CASSIE- we are having exactly the same issue with the reduced engine power. First time, was with the dealer for over a month. Said it was the selinoid (sp?) turbo part that has something to do with the shifting of the gears. Same thing: part on back order, no one in the country has it, blah blah blah. Finally they put the giddy up on when we were on our 3rd unreturned call – and they realized the loaner truck was only 200 miles from the 5000 mile threshold for being able to sell as new. A week later, same issue. Took it back. Another week and driving to try to get the code – nothing. We picked it up last Thursday and on Sunday – guess what happens? Yep. Same issue. When my husband called, dealer said no loaner available today – would have to be tomorrow. He’s a sheriff so he told them he works doubles – would have to be Thursday. They told him that would not be good because if something went wrong … and they found a loaner. When he mentioned the Lemon Law, the guy said @thats tricky cuz it’s gotta be the same code”. It’s getting ridiculous and it’s clearly an issue on these cars!
Good morning,
I am the owner of a 2021 Chevy trailblazer. My car has around 29,000 miles on it. Recently I have been having a reduced engine power light as well as a check engine light appear across the dash. When this happens I am unable to drive faster than 35mph and the power to the rest of the car seems limited. I have taken my TB to 2 different area dealerships to service. Both of the dealerships are telling me that it is not throwing or storing any codes for them to know where to start to fix the problem. Also the brake pedal is sometimes hard to depress to push start the automobile. Both dealerships are at a loss of what the next steps should be to help my car. One dealership does have a call into GM to help with the issues, but seems to be a loss. So now I own a chevy trailblazer that I am payin on that I can not drive. This angers me and frustrates me very much. I picked this automobile because I thought that it would be a dependable car and now I am without a car. The dealership has recently discovery that it is the turbo that is bad in my car . After having my car for 30 days and putting 250 miles on it to make it throw the code . Now we are on day 36 and I still
Do not have my car because the part is on back order and they have idea when it will be in . There is a open Chevy case on it . Chevy is telling me to be patient and just wait .
I have water that was in my spare tire compartment
Must be a leak when it rains . I have a 2021 trailblazer