2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Routine

Owners filed 193 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the unknown or other. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
20,000 milesMedian miles at failure

32 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other38
000
Power Train33
110
Electrical System29
000
Engine26
010
Service Brakes25
413
Fuel/Propulsion System9
000
Structure › Body5
000
Visibility/Wiper4
000
Air Bags3
100
Vehicle Speed Control2
101

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift › Stand21V440000
Filed Jun 10, 2021135,400 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Service Brakes20V588000
Filed Sep 24, 20203,677 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Seats › Critical Fasteners20V537000
Filed Sep 3, 2020105 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Equipment › Other › Labels20V295000
Filed May 21, 202020 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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."

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 15, 2026IL

2021 Chevy Trailblazer has a shift to park sensor issue. Car is in park and the sensor does not recognize that it is in park and displays a safety message to place car in park and continues to beep. Takes numerous attempts of taking car out of park and back into park to get it to recognize that the shifter is now in park. Has taken up to 15 minutes. Dealership has diagnosed as a known issue with this year and make with a service bulletin issued by GM of 23-NA-119. Has been happening over the last 2 weeks.

Power Train
Filed Sep 7, 2026IL

Dear Chevy, I am reaching out to you again because I am desperately requesting immediate assistance with my vehicle, which has now become an extremely serious and dangerous safety concern. On Friday, [XXX], I had my vehicle towed to the dealership because of the ongoing mechanical issues I have been experiencing. I was advised that the repairs would cost $877, which included a battery replacement and new sensors. I paid for these repairs and picked up my vehicle on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, believing that the issues had finally been addressed. Unfortunately, within approximately one hour of leaving the dealership, my check engine light came back on. When I arrived home, the key became stuck in the ignition. I immediately contacted the dealership and requested to speak with a Service Manager. I made this request approximately five separate times, yet I was unable to speak with a Service Manager until Friday, September 4, 2026, when I finally spoke with Matt. The situation has now escalated into an extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening safety issue. On Sunday, [XXX], while driving on the [XXX] in Chicago, my vehicle completely shut off twice while I was actively driving. There were no warning sounds, no dashboard warning codes, and no indication that the vehicle was about to shut off. My vehicle suddenly lost power while I was on a busy expressway, creating an extremely dangerous situation and nearly causing a major accident/pileup. I genuinely feared for my

Engine
Filed Sep 3, 2026MD

Original Owner of 2021 Chevy Trailblazer LT. Purchased new in April 2021. Vehicle has a history of major powertrain issues, starting with Check Engine light during its first year of ownership, culminating in a complete turbocharger replacement in December 2025. This only as a result of my research, after many visits to dealership trying to diagnose the issue. The check engine was consistently illuminated in the vehicle 2021-2025. 9 days ago while traveling the vehicle, experienced sudden oil pressure loss, and stalling risks, displayed a hard warning “ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW. STOP ENGINE”. On Star provided me with a diagnostic code of P0521, pointing to an engine oil pressure sensor malfunction. Apparently another widely known issue with this engine, there are TSBs stating after repair the code will return and Software Update required. Extended warranty has expired, dealership as well as GM corporate unwilling to provide any assistance with cost of diag, repairs, etc, leaving myself and disabled dependent stranded. Vehicle since purchase has been exclusively serviced through the purchasing dealerships service center. Maintenance regularly maintained. Service management has admitted knowledge of this issue with this engine, still reluctant to provide any additional assistance, informed me I’m on a waitlist for a possible loaner vehicle 4-6 weeks from now. There are several TSBs on this engine surrounding this issue. Apparently there is a known defect with the engine oil pump,

Electrical System
Filed Aug 18, 2026MS

Shifter

Engine
Filed Aug 3, 2026IL

My timing belt snapped prematurely, causing a total loss of engine power while driving on the highway, which is a severe safety hazard

Electrical System
Filed Jul 31, 2026MO

I am submitting this report regarding my 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer because it has been experiencing the "Shift to Park" issue described in the GM bulletin 19-NA-206. Even when the vehicle is shifted into Park, it intermittently displays a "Shift to Park" message and does not recognize that the transmission is in Park. This issue has been ongoing and has not resolved despite normal use of the vehicle. It is frustrating to deal with on a regular basis, and it appears to be the same condition addressed by GM in Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-206 that is available to view on the NHTSA website. I believe the NHTSA should push General Motors to issue a recall for this problem rather than relying on a Technical Service Bulletin. The issue appears to affect many GM vehicles, and owners should not have to bear the burden of repeated repairs or diagnosis for a known defect. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate this issue further and require GM to provide a permanent remedy through a recall.

Power Train
Filed Jul 30, 2026MA

"shift to park" issue on a 21 traiblazer causing your car to not being able to shutdown entirely meanwhile the shift is perfectly on Park.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 25, 2026IL

Vehicle displays Shift to Park when vehicle is in park & you push the ignition button & audible chime occurs. Apparently this is a known issue for Chevrolet Trailblazers & Buick Encore GX vehicles model year 2021 & newer. You have to either wiggle the gear shifter several times & depress/wiggle the shift lever button in order to turn off the vehicle. Sometimes it takes 5 minutes to get it to work.

Power Train
Filed Jul 23, 2026MO

My trailblazer will not shift properly into drive from park or reverse. GM calls this a "loss of forward motion" or "delayed forward engagement" in their service bulletin TSB-24-NA-009. It is a safety issue because you never know when or how long the vehicle will take to engage and allow forward movement. This causes issues when leaving a parking spot or a driveway, especially on busy roads. If the car will not move forward, my family is stuck in the road until it finally engages into gear and allows forward movement. When this occurs, the vehicle engine will shutter and not allow any forward movement. I usually have to move the drive selector back to park and back to drive again. This creates an immediate and unreasonable safety risk because the vehicle will not move for several seconds while I am sitting in traffic. This generates a P2714 code. I had the car looked at by a GM dealer as well as an independent transmission repair shop and both indicate it will likely need a new transmission. GM is fully aware of the defect and has issued a service bulletin, TSB-24-NA-009 to instruct dealers how to diagnose and repair the problem. The bulletin proves a widespread engineering or manufacturing flaw exists. However, GM is treating this as a maintenance issue rather than the severe safety hazard that it is. It is my understanding, GM has since abandoned this transmission on the newer models, further indicating that GM knew these transmissions were not designed well. I am requestin

Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2026CA

Reduced engine powers caused by turbo charger underboost, at 91200 miles.

Power Train
Filed Jul 16, 2026NC

Vehicle has 67,000 miles and suffered a catastrophic CVT transmission failure, documented by dealership diagnostic code P2714. The transmission severely slips and exhibits a dangerous 15-second delay to engage forward gear after shifting into Drive. More critically, the vehicle suffers from unpredictable engine stalling. The car completely shut down and stalled in traffic while trying to accelerate into a driving lane after shifting. The vehicle did not trigger any dashboard safety warnings, limp mode, or "Reduced Engine Power" messages prior to shutting down, causing an un-warned loss of motive power on a public road. This creates an immediate, severe risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. General Motors has acknowledged internal CVT chain slippage and hydraulic failure points in Technical Service Bulletins 24-NA-009 and PIP6033 but has not issued a safety recall.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 15, 2026IL

When putting the vehicle in park an error displays, SHIFT TO PARK, and the vehicle does not turn off completely and will ding although you’ve put it in PARK. This has been happening for well over a year and the dealership says it’s a known issue but not a recall. There are times it’s taken up to 25 mins that I’ve had to sit in the vehicle to get the vehicle to turn off by wiggling the shifter or just putting it in drive and back into park, hitting the shifter button, etc. I’ve had to let the battery die in the very beginning because I panicked when it happened and had to get into work. My son has been late to class when he uses the vehicle to drive to school. It’s been such an inconvenience and a safety issue because the vehicle doesn’t turn off and won’t lock and who knows if it’s really securely engaged in the park position or not.

Engine
Filed Jul 11, 2026OH

Car was driving fine, went up a hill then check engine light came on with warning that stated "reduced engine power." drove it approx 8 min to home. parked in garage. Next morning, took to Firestone Complete Autocare as that was the first place available. Just got a call that the whole turbo assembly needs to be replace costing almost $2000 and will be without a car for about a week. 5 year warranty expired 3 months ago and there is less than 47,000 miles on it. It is currently at the shop so I don't have a bill yet, but they told us how much when they told us what was wrong with it. This is unacceptable! Reading about and hearing about this complaint all over the internet!!!

Electrical System
Filed Jul 11, 2026IN

The infotainment system which controls the radio,backup camera, onstart,and other safety components stopped working i took it to a gm certified dealership and it has just been all bad from there. gm has horrible customer service and so does the gm certified shop in michigan city i took my truck in that I only had for 11 months because the infotainment center went of paid for two diagnostic tests they still couldn't] find the issue and now they they're changing me 1,037.76 for a radio which they dont even know if it's going to fix the problem which if it doesn't then I have to pay more money for another diagnostic test and more parts and because I got mad and said I'm paying for a guessing game the dealership told gm that because I had some aftermarket equipment in my vehicle that that caused the issue bullshit the stuff never got plugged into anything at that point the day of my appointment with the audio shop the screen went black with no sound they're all full of shit and didn't want to take responsibility for the widely known issue with the telemedic system

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 8, 2026FL

The shift to park is defective on mine and many other GM vehicles. I had it previously repaired under manufacturer warranty and then again in just over 16,000 miles driven which fell outside of the manufacturer warranty. I had to pay out of pocket for the repairs and GM refused to reimburse me for the repairs. GM has a service bulletin recognizing the defective part and still refused reimbursement. The shift to park causes the vehicle to not recognize the vehicle is in park preventing it from shutting off. This causes the battery to drain and need replacement as well. I have now had the shift to park and battery replaced twice in under 45,000 miles. The service advisor for Seminole Chevrolet advised this part should last minimum of 100,000 miles and it is a known issue. This causes a major safety concern as the vehicle doesn't shut off and could cause someone to be stranded anywhere. It is concerning that a major vehicle manufacturer is continuing to manufacture and use known defective parts. My vehicle has been inspected and repaired both times at Seminole Chevrolet in Sanford, FL. I have also contacted the Executive Resolution team at GM with no resolution. The shift to park and low battery illuminates on the dashboard before the vehicle completely shuts down due to the battery failing caused by the shift to park defect.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 3, 2026NJ

Due to the Front view camera module going bad, I have no access my ADAS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 29, 2026PA

Shift assembly kit, it is available. Dealership has to order part for inspection. Still passed inspection. Possible unintended rollaway accidents. Not being able to lock the vehicle as well. Yes, it’s been confirmed. There’s also so many class action lawsuits against GM about this matter. Why isn’t there a recall already?! Getting the “shift to park” message in my vehicle for the 2nd time now in less than 4 years. The shift assembly kit was replaced back in December 2022. Apparently it needs to be replaced again because of a switch.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 18, 2026IN

My 2021 chevy trailblazer rs is experiencing issues with the infotainment system and the onstar module they have stopped working and I have no backup camera and this issue is a safety concern to me and anyone who rides with me i have contacted both gm and onstar and got nowhere with them after I had a diagnostic test done on 6/18/26 they recommended replacement of the whole system

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 7, 2026KY

Dealership Linwood inspected vehicle and certified power and ground module has internal fault-faulty front camera module.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2026CA

While driving on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete failure of the electronic braking/power brake assist system. Simultaneously, multiple safety warnings illuminated on the dashboard display, including a persistent service wrench icon, a traction control warning light, and a lane-keep assist indicator light. Due to the loss of brake assistance, the vehicle was unsafe to operate and had to be towed/driven directly to a licensed dealership for emergency diagnosis. The dealership technicians subsequently inspected the vehicle and reported that the entire electronic braking system had suffered a total failure and is completely non-functional. Despite multiple technical service bulletins and recalls issued for similar vehicle builds regarding electronic brake boost interruptions and mechanical brake vacuum pump failures, I am being forced to pay for these critical safety repairs out of pocket. A sudden loss of braking power poses an immediate crash hazard, and I am filing this report to urge the NHTSA to investigate why this manufacturing defect is not covered under an active safety recall for this specific vehicle configuration.

20 of 193 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20267100Routine
202521100Routine
202433100Routine
202367010Routine
2022108100Routine
2021 — this page193430Routine
20141000Routine
200927000Routine
20081930110Routine
20077325564Fatalities reported
20061,10885914Fatalities reported
20051,4662251Fatalities reported
20041,0812314Fatalities reported
20039018142Fatalities reported
20021,14913354Fatalities reported
200120000Routine
200026010Routine
19994000Routine

Compare every Trailblazer year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 10, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.