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2021 Chevrolet Blazer problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
50%
67 of 136 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

50% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 66% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 67 of 136 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (50%), and the largest group is filed under engine (42). For comparison, the 2020 scores 61% and the 2022 scores 59%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
67
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
136
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
1
6 crashes · 7 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE42 · 31%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM39 · 29%
SERVICE BRAKES20 · 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER20 · 15%
POWER TRAIN18 · 13%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM17 · 13%

The years either side

2010
no data
2011
no data
2012
no data
2013
no data
2014
too few complaints
2015
no data
2016
no data
2017
no data
2018
no data
2019
53%
97 of 186
2020
61%
132 of 220
2021
50%
67 of 136
2022
59%
30 of 51
2023
58%
22 of 43

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

Cleaner alternatives

Other midsize SUVs with no elevated signal in 2021

The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.

What owners reported

ENGINE09/26/2026
My 2021 Chevy blazer is leaking oil at 70,000 miles Chevy only recalled under special warranty for camshaft carrier it appears Chevy put in a glue for them seals that comes off unfortunately they don’t recall all blazers just some but I am having the same issue as that special warranty. It’s a safety concern because no…
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE09/17/2026
Vehicle Information: 2021 Chevrolet Blazer 2.5L engine, VIN [XXX]. Odometer 118000 miles.Description of Incident: While operating the vehicle, the mechanical brake vacuum pump experienced a catastrophic internal failure. The drive gear housing shattered violently without warning, shearing off the end of the connecting …
WHEELS,ENGINE09/16/2026
My 2021 Chevrolet Blazer has experienced repeated problems involving the cooling system and is now exhibiting recurring symptoms that concern me about the vehicle’s reliability and safety. In 2023, the vehicle required a radiator/cooling-system repair. In 2024, it again required radiator/cooling-system repair, which w…

Three of 67 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer (1)

SEAT BELTS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade E…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

Questions people ask about the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 67 of 136 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (50%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Chevrolet Blazer years are better?

The 2021 has the lowest engine and transmission complaint share of the Chevrolet Blazer years we track (50%). The other years run higher.

Should I buy a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer has an elevated engine complaint pattern, so treat it as a car that needs proof: service records showing engine work, a cold-start test drive, and an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine. A well-kept or already-repaired example can be a fine car; an unknown one is a gamble.

Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.