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2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Trailblazer years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 87.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 32 of 193 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

29 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2024
Service Brakes

The brake pedal goes to the floor and does not want to stop. There is a brake failure meesage on the dash.

NHTSA ODI #11599338

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

The car will all of a sudden make a loud popping noise through the radio. It is enough to scare someone while they are driving and have a wreck. The brakes are very touchy to the point of almost giving you whiplash

NHTSA ODI #11544617

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrashInjury

Brakes failed and myself and others were in harms way. To my knowledge the car was totaled as the air bags did deploy.

NHTSA ODI #11527819

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2023
Service Brakes

We purchased this 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS new from the dealership and we noticed on the second day of owership that the brakes were "squealing". The dealership initially inspected the vehicle asap and without having to go through the service department. However, the problem not only continued, it persists to this day. Add…

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We purchased this 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS new from the dealership and we noticed on the second day of owership that the brakes were "squealing". The dealership initially inspected the vehicle asap and without having to go through the service department. However, the problem not only continued, it persists to this day. Additionally, we just purchased a used 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS (with under 10,000 miles) and are experiencing the identical issues with the brakes squealing.

NHTSA ODI #11515304

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2023
Lane DepartureService BrakesSteeringCrash

While traveling down the road at approximatly 35-40 mph with my two minor children, the steering was not responding properly and the car kept attempting to veer to the right. I let off the gas to slow down since the brakes were also not seeming to respond well. Upon attempting to brake and execute a left hand turn, the car wou…

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While traveling down the road at approximatly 35-40 mph with my two minor children, the steering was not responding properly and the car kept attempting to veer to the right. I let off the gas to slow down since the brakes were also not seeming to respond well. Upon attempting to brake and execute a left hand turn, the car would not turn at all despite the steering wheel being as turned as far to the left as possible, the lights began flashing on the dashboard for "PowerSteering" ESC warning. We ended up going through the intersection without stopping and narrowly missed another car in intersection and went completely off the road into a snowbank. Fortunately we were not injured. We drove the vehicle back home (approximately one mile) by overpowering the steering and manually forcing the car to stay on the road. Throughout the lane assist kept attempting to autocorrect and drive us off the road. The car was damaged by the impact and the mechanic said that the tie rod is bent and has no idea what could have caused this to happen. I am somehow now responsible for the situation. I have asked what caused the power steering to fail, and Chevy claims that they have no record of any power steering issues (which research has shown to be untrue) and in order to determine IF it failed and/or why, they need to make the repair and then run additional tests to re-create the issue. This car only has 21,000 miles on it, and has never been in an accident before this.

NHTSA ODI #11500332

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2022
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other

Popping sound from passenger side front speakers when releasing the brake pedal after a stop. Vehicle in drive.

NHTSA ODI #11497659

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2022
EngineService BrakesSteering

I have had the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer since May 2021, it has been 15 months, not even a year and a half off the lot and i have had wayyyy too many problems. I have has service the stabilitrak stability control system, service the antilock breaking system multiple times within the first 8-10 months. I had to get a part replaced d…

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I have had the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer since May 2021, it has been 15 months, not even a year and a half off the lot and i have had wayyyy too many problems. I have has service the stabilitrak stability control system, service the antilock breaking system multiple times within the first 8-10 months. I had to get a part replaced due to that. The dealership had my vehicle literally for a month after i bought it, had an open tak report through Gm due to my engine light coming on. Gm did not know why it was happening. Had 2 service engine and transmission system alerts. I have had a fuel injector and line replaced as well within the first 6 months. I have had to get the system updated 2 times also. Now August 2022 im having service battery, or starter. Have had my vehicle shut off on me at an intersection then come back on two different times. My breaks have been squealing ever since i got this vehicle. Dealership confirms everything is in good standing. I have not had a vehicle where breaks squeal when i am coming to a stop or backing out of my driveway constantly. Dealership keeps saying oh its just probably dust or dirt, spray them out and it should stop. But, it has not for about a year now! Unbelievable! I am going it to trade this vehicle in. This is wayyy too much to be dealing with when you pay $30 grand on a vehicle!

NHTSA ODI #11481702

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2022
Service Brakes

The brakes make squealing sound when coming to a stop. the dealer has acknowledged the problem and said there is nothing they can do about it and that the problem is normal. It is not normal for brakes to squeak every time the car stops.

NHTSA ODI #11464302

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2022
Service Brakes

The ABS and stability control systems crash without warning. Randomly on a trip the check engine light randomly comes on without warning and immediately my break system stops being effective. I have to put full force on the brake pedal to start breaking the vehicle and coming to a stop becomes difficult. This puts my life as wel…

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The ABS and stability control systems crash without warning. Randomly on a trip the check engine light randomly comes on without warning and immediately my break system stops being effective. I have to put full force on the brake pedal to start breaking the vehicle and coming to a stop becomes difficult. This puts my life as well as others at risk as I would not be able to break on time. The problem immediately goes away after turning the car off and turning it back on leading me to believe it’s simply a computer problem. The service provider Chevrolet has not reproduced or confirmed the issue to my knowledge. No warning lights come on prior to the issue nor does the check engine line persist after being turned off and on again.

NHTSA ODI #11456786

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2021
Service Brakes

Brakes squeal when in drive. Any amount of pressure on the brakes the car shakes and a loud squeal begins. Bought the car new in May and this issue started in June. Have taken the car to the dealership since June to try and figure out the issue. Dealership states that rotors and brake pads are in perfect condition, thus the issu…

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Brakes squeal when in drive. Any amount of pressure on the brakes the car shakes and a loud squeal begins. Bought the car new in May and this issue started in June. Have taken the car to the dealership since June to try and figure out the issue. Dealership states that rotors and brake pads are in perfect condition, thus the issue being the actual brake component. Dealership will not fix despite car being under warranty because there is no bulletin out for car model. I am very concerned for my safety and the safety of others when driving, especially since the dealership knows their is an issue and will not fix it.

NHTSA ODI #11441763

Official recalls

4

21V440000 · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift:stand

Jun 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 & remedy

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.

20V588000 · Service Brakes

Sep 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 & remedy

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.

20V537000 · Seats; Seats:critical Fasteners

Sep 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:critical Fasteners

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.

Seats

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.

20V295000 · Equipment:other:labels; Tires

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:other:labels

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.

Tires

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.