Common problems
Chevrolet Blazer Common Problems
We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 8 Chevrolet Blazer model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.
Data updated April 2026
- Owner complaints
- 639
- Top recurring issue
- Electrical System
- Crash reports
- 22
- Fire reports
- 2
8 model years
6 affected years
Owner-reported severity signal
46 injuries · 0 deaths
Pattern overview
Most reported Chevrolet Blazer problem categories
Electrical System
122complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2019.
Unknown Or Other
83complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2019.
Power Train
129complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2020.
Steering
76complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2020.
Engine
51complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2020.
Service Brakes
43complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2021.
Forward Collision Avoidance
17complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2024.
Visibility Wiper
12complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2024.
Suspension
5complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2020.
Parking Brake
6complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2024.
What owners reported
Issue summaries by Chevrolet Blazer model year
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer frequently report issues with the gear shifter failing to recognize when the vehicle is in park, resulting in a persistent "Shift to Park" message. This issue often prevents the vehicle from being turned off or locked, with some owners experiencing battery drain as a result. Complaints also highlight transmission problems, including slipping and total failure, sometimes accompanied by grinding noises and loss of motive power, with incidents occurring at various mileages, notably around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with reports of unintended vehicle movement leading to injuries and near-miss accidents. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, which may affect vehicle operation and safety.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer frequently report issues with the vehicle's gear shifter failing to recognize when it is in park, often displaying a "Shift to Park" message even when the shifter is physically in the park position. This issue commonly prevents the vehicle from being turned off, with some owners needing to repeatedly shift in and out of park to resolve it temporarily. These complaints often occur at mileages around 19,000 to 114,000 miles. Additionally, some owners mention transmission-related problems such as shuddering during acceleration and difficulty with gear shifts. One complaint involves a crash, and there is one reported injury, highlighting potential safety concerns. Buyers considering a used 2019 Blazer should be aware of these recurring power train issues.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer frequently report issues related to the "Shift to Park" error, where the vehicle fails to recognize it is in park, preventing the car from shutting off and causing battery drain. This issue often requires the driver to repeatedly shift gears to clear the error message and fully turn off the vehicle. Complaints also mention problems with the coolant temperature sensor and thermostat, leading to error codes like P0128 and symptoms such as the temperature gauge sticking on cold, loss of air conditioning, and reduced driver assist features. These electrical issues are reported at various mileages, with some owners experiencing them as early as 35,000 miles. Safety implications include the potential for being stranded due to battery drain and concerns over engine performance and control during driving.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer frequently report issues with the vehicle not recognizing when it is in park, leading to persistent "shift to park" warnings and preventing the vehicle from shutting off. These complaints often describe the vehicle remaining on, draining the battery, and causing inconvenience. Additionally, there are multiple reports of steering assist being reduced, often accompanied by thermostat malfunctions, such as the temperature gauge being stuck on cold and the AC blowing hot air. These issues are noted at mileage around 42,000 miles, with no direct reports of crashes or loss of control, but the inability to turn off the vehicle could pose security and battery life concerns. This information is useful for used car buyers considering the potential for recurring electronic and mechanical issues with this model.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer frequently report issues related to the vehicle's failure to recognize when it is in park, resulting in a persistent "Shift to Park" error message. This issue prevents the vehicle from being fully turned off and often requires drivers to repeatedly adjust the gear shifter to clear the message. Complaints often emerge around the 40,000-mile mark, and several owners note that this problem resembles issues seen in earlier model years. Additionally, multiple reports mention problems with the backup camera ceasing to function shortly after repair, as well as thermostat and AC malfunctions. One complaint involved a crash, and two injuries were reported, highlighting potential safety implications. This information may be particularly relevant for used car buyers considering the 2020 Blazer.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
STEERING
Owners report frequent issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer's steering system, often linked to the vehicle's thermostat and temperature sensor. Common symptoms include a "Steering Assist Reduced" warning, a coolant temperature gauge stuck on cold, and the air conditioner blowing warm air. These problems typically arise around the 50,000 to 60,000-mile mark. Multiple owners describe the vehicle becoming difficult to steer, which poses a safety risk, especially at high speeds or in traffic. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these recurring issues and the potential for increased repair costs.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer frequently report issues related to the electrical system, particularly involving the vehicle's thermostat and "Shift to Park" functionality. Common symptoms include the temperature gauge reading cold, air conditioning failure, engine fans running continuously, and messages indicating steering assist reduction. Multiple complaints also describe issues where the vehicle fails to recognize it is in park, preventing the car from turning off, which can drain the battery and pose a safety risk if the car rolls unexpectedly. These problems often occur without warning and have been noted by some owners at various mileages, including high mileage around 92,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of engine temperature monitoring and unintended vehicle movement.
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with the thermostat and coolant temperature sensor in the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, often accompanied by error code P0128. Typical symptoms include the engine cooling fan running at full speed, the air conditioning and temperature gauge becoming non-functional, and warnings about reduced steering assist. These problems commonly arise around 50,000 to 67,000 miles, with some occurring as early as 16,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, as the combination of steering assist reduction and potential overheating could pose risks while driving. Additionally, multiple owners mention recurring oil leaks, particularly from the camshaft housing, contributing to further reliability concerns.
Pre-purchase inspection
What to check on a used Chevrolet Blazer
When problems are reported to begin
- Forward Collision Avoidance — 200–18,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- Electrical system failures — 400–2,200 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Transmission issues — 6–1,150 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Parking brake issues — 28,000–35,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Transmission failures — 5,500–6,500 miles on the 2023 model-year record
- Forward Collision Avoidance activations — 20,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
- Transmission failures — 60,000–64,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
- Steering assist warnings — 10,000–56,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
Buyer red flags
- Inspect forward collision avoidance system for unexpected braking
- Check for dashboard glare impacting visibility in sunlight
- Test windshield wipers for consistent operation
- Verify infotainment system functionality for blackouts or flickers
- Ensure telematics and OnStar systems are operational
- Inspect for any unresolved parking brake recall repairs
- Check for any suspension issues, particularly control arm bushing integrity
- Test automatic emergency braking for unexpected activation
How to interpret the counts
Complaint totals are not failure rates
A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.
Source trail
Where this Chevrolet Blazer data comes from
VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Chevrolet Blazer research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.
Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.
Buyer questions
Chevrolet Blazer research FAQ
What is the most common Chevrolet Blazer problem?
Electrical System is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 6 years with 122 complaints represented.
Which Chevrolet Blazer year has the most reported problems?
The 2019 has the largest electrical system count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.
Do NHTSA complaints prove a Chevrolet Blazer has a defect?
No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.
Check the actual car
Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.
Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Chevrolet Blazer you are considering.
