Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Unknown or other55
- Electrical system41
- Power train41
- Engine38
- Service brakes30
- Fuel/propulsion system17
- Forward collision avoidance11
- Structure8
- Steering6
- Vehicle speed control5
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 26 2021 Trailblazer vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 9 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer failed the safety check 1.04% of the time — 10% more often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 28,170 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 4 variants; 2 of 4 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV AWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | 17.9 % |
| 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV FWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | 18.5 % |
| 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV AWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | 17.9 % |
| 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV FWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | 18.5 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 7.6–8.4 L/100 km (about 28–31 mpg US), CO₂ 179–196 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trailblazer · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 8.0 | 7.2 | 7.6 |
| Trailblazer · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 8.4 | 7.5 | 8.0 |
| Trailblazer AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 8.9 | 7.8 | 8.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
| 2021365 10 Jun 2021 | Accessories Issue: On certain vehicles, the emergency spare tire jack could break if it is not properly positioned under the vehicle. If this happens, the jack could coll… |
| 2020452 24 Sept 2020 | Brakes Issue: On certain vehicles, a sensor in the electronic brake boost system may have a bad connection. Under certain driving conditions, this could cause a loss … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Chevrolet told its dealers about the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11012013 | This Preliminary information communicates to the dealers diagnostic tips related to MIL on with P219A. |
| 11011996 | This service bulletin provides diagnostic/repair information to correct a customer concern of Cellphone not Charging or USB Receptacle Inoperative. |
| 11011989 | This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid. |
| 11011904 | This service bulletin provides 9th gear operation information to respond to customers that may comment on transmission shift operation. |
| 11011900 | This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue. |
| 11011864 | This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician on possible sources of transmission fluid leaks from the transmission oil filter or cooler line seals . |
| 11011861 | This Preliminary information communicates to Technicians how to repair a rattle noise coming from the shift cable assembly. |
| 11011805 | This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number forreflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses. |
| 11011782 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel. |
| 11011714 | This technical bulletin provides a procedure a squeal noise heard from the front of the vehicle during light brake pedal application. |
| 11011709 | This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer. |
| 11011444 | This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer a process for accessing the procedure to add attachments to a GM technical assistance case using the dealer case management tool. |
| 11011420 | This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician that TAC recommends the utilization of the GDS2 software to aid in diagnosing automatic transmission concerns. TAC is requesting the GDS2 session logs be sent in before the dealer contacts TAC. |
| 11011406 | This Preliminary information communicatesa "Forward Collision System Reduced" message displayed on the DIC when theForward Automatic Braking has been set to the "Alert" setting. This is normal when theFAB has been set to "Alert". |
| 11011225 | This service bulletin advises the tech that the rotational Clicking Noise Heard After Engine Shut Down may be normal characteristics of the vehicle. |
| 11011205 | This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules. |
| 11011125 | This technical bulletin provides a procedure a squeal noise heard from the front of the vehicle during light brake pedal application. |
| 11011117 | This service bulletin provides information on dark spots in the headlamp pattern when the vehicle is pulled up to a wall or garage. |
| 11010724 | This service bulletin provides a procedure to correct radio software concerns. |
| 11010709 | This technical bulletin provides a procedure a squeal noise heard from the front of the vehicle during light brake pedal application. |
| 11010576 | This service bulletin provides information on All hazmat parts being returned to the Warranty Parts Center (WPC) must be shipped using Central Transport. Hazardous materials should never be sent by air transportation to the WPC. |
| 11010545 | This service bulletin provides information on key code security rules and information on GM keycode look-up applications (U.S). |
| 11010495 | This bulletin provides information on Warranty Administration Required Operating Procedures - 8 Points (U.S. Only). |
| 11010493 | This warranty administration service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period. |
| 11010491 | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)