Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer a bad year?
201 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 42, 4.2× a quiet Trailblazer year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 4.2× the complaints of a quiet Trailblazer year.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Trailblazer owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 42 (21%) | too few with a mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 41 (20%) | too few with a mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 40 (20%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 33 (16%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 18 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 201 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
53 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer: 4
General Motors, LLC. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use. A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system. 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.
The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed. If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
The certification label on these vehicles does not provide the tire size and cold tire pressure information for front and rear tires, as required. If drivers are uninformed and overinflate or underinflate their tires, this may increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 308
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
PIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
Direction that should be taken if they encounter a vibration from the engine when the vehicle is parked facing downhill
Related to MIL on with P219A
Correct a customer concern of Shift to Park Displayed on DIC When Vehicle is in- Park, No Start - DTC B000A Set
Neighbouring years
2022 Trailblazer: 113 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Trailblazer year
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Questions
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer a bad year?
201 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 42, 4.2× a quiet Trailblazer year. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 4.2× the complaints of a quiet Trailblazer year.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (42), electrical system (41), engine (40), brakes (33), fuel system (18).
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 21V-440), Brakes (NHTSA 20V-588), Seats (NHTSA 20V-537), Tires (NHTSA 20V-295). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.