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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

What owners actually said

193 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Rear back up camera view on display screen image is fuzzy or shorts out for a second then corrects to give proper image.

NHTSA ODI #11461734

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Vehicle makes a loud popping noise while connected to Apple play with usb cord while slowing down and while just driving.

NHTSA ODI #11461732

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2022
EngineFire

Driving vehicle and noticed smoke coming from front end. Pulled over and entire vehicle caught fire. No check engine light, no temp gauge changes. Just smoke and then fire.

NHTSA ODI #11460983

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Started having issues where all the electronics on the car go blank/dead. So far when this has happened it has not caused the car to be inoperable but in the meantime I have found that the car is leaking (seriously leaking) under the entire drivers seat was soaked. I noticed a while back that it smelled like mildew in the car,…

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Started having issues where all the electronics on the car go blank/dead. So far when this has happened it has not caused the car to be inoperable but in the meantime I have found that the car is leaking (seriously leaking) under the entire drivers seat was soaked. I noticed a while back that it smelled like mildew in the car, I had it cleaned and put a damp rid pouch in there, that basically absorbed in 2 days, but never could find the water. This week I found the water...under the drivers seat. This car has been leaking for 2 years! Last night, I get in the car and plug in my phone to charge and get a message of LIQUID DETECTED Charging is not available because liquid has been detected in the lightning connector. Disconnect to allow the connector to dry. At the same time the phone was plugged in everything started to crackle and squeal through the radio and then no radio at all. There is no way all these components are not damaged. Meanwhile I have take it to a dealer for them to do a "water test", I have zero confidence that this water test will yield any positive results and I am without a vehicle . So I am trying to get this info out anywhere I can to see if other people had similar issues and what can be done. It can not be safe to drive a car that the electronics have water damage.

NHTSA ODI #11457652

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 · Feb 9, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

Purchased my 2021 Chevy Trailblazer in August 2021 with less than 100 miles. After about 500 miles the Lane assist, forward collision assistant and the automatic breaking features all stopped working. Factory reset has been set several times with no fix. The buttons on the steering wheel do not do anything when pressed. I hav…

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Purchased my 2021 Chevy Trailblazer in August 2021 with less than 100 miles. After about 500 miles the Lane assist, forward collision assistant and the automatic breaking features all stopped working. Factory reset has been set several times with no fix. The buttons on the steering wheel do not do anything when pressed. I have been told by the dealership they will need to keep my car for at least 3 days to disassemble and trouble shoot the issue, however they do not have a rental to provide me in the mean time. I am now at around 10K miles because this is my daily driving and only vehicle. I am not comfortable that some of the safety features have stopped working and fear that any day something else could stop working that is more important to the functioning of the car.

NHTSA ODI #11451123

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I had a smell of gasoline inside and under hood of 2021 Trailblazer LT 1.3l. Took to Chevrolet dealer.Confirmed gas odor. Gas was leaking from fuel rail.Sevice manager said it was pouring out. Found out GM has Service bulliten for this PIP5765 that covers both Chevy Trailblazer with 1.3l and Buick Encore GX with 1.3l motors. Thi…

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I had a smell of gasoline inside and under hood of 2021 Trailblazer LT 1.3l. Took to Chevrolet dealer.Confirmed gas odor. Gas was leaking from fuel rail.Sevice manager said it was pouring out. Found out GM has Service bulliten for this PIP5765 that covers both Chevy Trailblazer with 1.3l and Buick Encore GX with 1.3l motors. This has been a scary situation considering gas fumes could have caught fire.

NHTSA ODI #11449335

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceStructureWheels

I have had multiple issues with the car since I've purchased it. The brakes continuously make noise, and the automatic Emergency Braking DOES not work. The tire pressure sensors don't work, they have the wrong tire pressure for each tire, and the tires constantly over inflate. Also, my front bumper is coming off. I've taken it t…

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I have had multiple issues with the car since I've purchased it. The brakes continuously make noise, and the automatic Emergency Braking DOES not work. The tire pressure sensors don't work, they have the wrong tire pressure for each tire, and the tires constantly over inflate. Also, my front bumper is coming off. I've taken it to the dealership for all of these things, the dealership said the brakes seem fine, the front bumper clips seem to have warn down for some reason, and that they reset my tire pressure. There was no permanent solution. They put a band aid on my problem and I still have all of these issues.

NHTSA ODI #11444324

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

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2021
Tires

225/60R17 99H Bought trailblazer brand new from dealer March 2021. I've owned many cars, street cars, etc. I've never had a tire with 10K miles develop a bulge in the side. I took back to dealer as warranty book showed covered to 12K, but they said 'upon inspecting, it appears from a pothole'. That was strange to me, as we neve…

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225/60R17 99H Bought trailblazer brand new from dealer March 2021. I've owned many cars, street cars, etc. I've never had a tire with 10K miles develop a bulge in the side. I took back to dealer as warranty book showed covered to 12K, but they said 'upon inspecting, it appears from a pothole'. That was strange to me, as we never hit anything or the rim does not have a mark or bent or anything.

NHTSA ODI #11441616

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.