Fan blade rivet breakage can occur causing the fan blade to separate from the spider.
Engine & cooling
Chevrolet Blazer Engine problems by year
1,021 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Blazer's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Engine complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 74 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 64 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 64 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 1997 | 87 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 | 141 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 200 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1994 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1993 | 46 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1989 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1985 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Engine recalls
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks, vans and motorhomes equipped with electronically fuel injected 6.5L diesel engine. This is not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation part 573. However, it is deemed a safety improvement...
Latest Blazer engine complaints
On Monday, October 26, at approximately 9:00 p.m., I was driving when the temperature gauge suddenly dropped to cold and the steering assist became disabled. After I returned home, the cooling fan continued running and would not shut off. After waiting approximately 15 minutes, I disconnected the negative battery cable to prevent the fan from draining the battery. I contacted the dealership the following day and scheduled an appointment. The dealership advised that because no engine fault code was present, they...
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could not replace the thermostat under warranty. Instead, they reported finding a radiator leak and charged me 50% of the cost to replace the radiator. The vehicle operated normally for a little over a week. However, on Monday, November 9, during a similar drive home, the exact same symptoms returned: the temperature gauge dropped to cold, steering assist was affected, and the cooling fan remained on. Again, there was no check-engine light and no stored fault code. After another trip to the dealership, the thermostat still has not been replaced because I have been told that GM will not authorize the warranty repair without a fault code. This is particularly concerning because multiple owners have reported similar thermostat failures and symptoms with this engine. At this point, the original problem remains unresolved despite multiple dealership visits and the replacement of the radiator
On [[redacted]], my 2021 Chevy Blazer broke down in the middle of traffic in a left turn lane when it tried to auto-restart. I was left stranded for 2 hours and had to call the local police to direct traffic around me. Upon towing to a local auto shop, and then another two to Carl Black GMC in Roswell, Georgia, I learned that the engine had completely seized due to a leaking radiator. They quoted me $14,000 in repairs between the radiator and a new engine. The vehicle had approximately 84,000 miles at the time...
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and GM offered $3,000 to help with the engine. The car never threw a check engine light prior to the engine completely seizing. The coolant temperature gauge in the car also never showed temperatures above normal. At a few points, the car fan ran loud after turning the car off and I thought this might have been electrical. I sanded and cleaned the ground connection to the chassis which seemed to fix the issue. I also learned of Special Coverage N252508350-Engine Coolant Thermostat that was issued by GM which indicated this condition could be caused by a coolant engine thermostat that could open at a low temperature. I had planned to get it completed along with the fuel pump control module recall at my next opportunity. This issue with my car left my stranded in the middle of a busy highway with cars zooming around me. GM has known about the issue of leaking radiators in 2021 Chevrolet Blazers for years and has never done anything about it. Between their shoddy electrical systems and the radiator, these cars are of significant risk of seizing up in the middle of traffic with no warning like mine. GM has refused to replace these radiators or issue a recall becaus the repair is $2,000 and affects multiple lines of vehicles.
Steering assist reduced message appeared Check engine light appeared, po128 code, thermostat and sensor defect. Common problem with these vehicles, GM has only recalled 2021 model even though the same engine and thermostat are on all V-6 models. Contacted GM, no assistance available on my year Blazer.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and after turning off the vehicle, the fan continued running, causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that recently while operating the vehicle, the steering assist warning light remained...
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illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under an extended warranty coverage associated with the thermostat. The failure mileage was 51,000.
2020 Chevy Blazer LT 3.6 L V6 I'm filing this complaint regarding multiple concerning mechanical and safety related issues with my 2020 Chevy Blazer LT that I purchased brand new and currently have 54,224 miles . Without warning, My vehicle developed several problems simultaneously. The check engine light came on, The engine cooling fan started running continuously at high speed, the AC stopped blowing cold air and is warm air, the steering assist reduced came on and my chevy app notified me that I have an engine...
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cooling system malfunction and to service now. It's showing a P0128 code when I had it checked. After doing some research, I discovered GM issued a thermostat special coverage program for certain vehicles 2021-and newer models. Mine isn't part of it because of the year and isn't covered by the power train warranty for the same reason even though they all have the same engine. I only have 54,000 miles! I'm very concerned over the steering assist being reduced! What if the steering goes out while I'm driving? I have my grandchildren all the time. I need my car! There are several other complaints on here for the same vehicle and the same problem! Why isn't the 2020 Blazer covered under this special coverage program? The dealerships all say it's a well known problem! I believe this issue deserves investigation !
1. Vehicle completely shut off at a stoplight during the nighttime. The vehicle lost all power including lights, hazard lights, horn and electrical system. Would not start back up for several minutes while sitting in the middle of the highway during the nighttime, creating an immediate safety hazard in traffic. Vehicle self-corrected after a few minutes.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Blazer. While the vehicle was at a dealer for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that an unknown fluid was leaking from the radiator. The vehicle was less than one year old, and the radiator was replaced under warranty. Two years and two months later, while at the dealer for a module repair, the contact was informed that a second leak was discovered in the replacement radiator. The contact offered customer assistance toward the cost of a second replacement radiator. Upon...
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investigation, the contact discovered that tabs on the radiator caused the leak. During the second radiator replacement, the contact noted that the tabs were removed, whereas the first two radiators were equipped with tabs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
I had no warning or indication whatsoever that my battery was going bad. I was at a major red light and my car shut down, then started back on its on with the entire panel lite up. The light changed and when I tried to turn I had hardly any stirring and almost no brakes. I almost ran into the car in front of me. I was able to get it into a parking spot and then it still gave me no light or notice of a battery issue. Because it had a recall on it that was repaired four days prior I had it towed to the...
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dealership. They told me it was the battery but even when I picked up the car (for AAA to install the battery), it still showed 13.6% power on a 14 volt battery. This issue almost caused me to have an accident and caused me to waste $168 for a tow.
the car jumped/jerked like it was trying to change gears while accelerating and two times when at a complete stop at a light. The car was taken to dealership on Sep 2, 2025 and needed a full transmission replacement. The parts were on back order and the vehicle was not complete until November 20th of 2025
The thermostat is malfunctioning along with engine temperature coolant sensor. This causes the temperature gauge on the dashboard to be completely disabled and not moving off cold, it disables the air conditioner, makes the engine cooling fan to run extremely high nonstop, and places the vehicle into an unpredictable limp mode or fail safe mode. This was identified as faulty by GM and they have issued a special service bulletin that they will repair it up to a 150,000 miles or 15 years or reimburse customers up...
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to $1200 on 2021 models. The 2020 models use the same engine and parts but they refuse to include them which is an unfair exclusion since they admitted to a faulty part. 2020 should be included with the same 150,000 miles and 15 year coverage or reimbursement.
The radiator and thermostat on my 2020 Blazer had to be replaced at less than 35,000 miles. It was out of warranty and the Chevy dealer charged me $3,500 to replace them. Internet sources state that this is a common problem with this car. I complained to Chevy corporate and they refunded $1,000. I do not feel this was a fair settlement due to the fact that it is a common problem.
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 oil in the car can blow up the engine .6500 to repair
Vehicle Information: 2021 Chevrolet Blazer 2.5L engine, VIN [[redacted]]. 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 engine camshaft. Because this was an instantaneous mechanical failure, the vehicles computer did not trigger any dashboard warning lights, check engine lights, or safe mode protocols prior to...
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the failure.Safety Hazards and Component Damage: First, the total destruction of the vacuum pump caused an immediate compromise to the brake booster vacuum lines, resulting in a sudden, dangerous loss of power braking assistance. Second, the sheared camshaft breached the engine valve cover or head, causing the engines pressurized oil system to instantly dump all engine oil externally onto the ground. Third, shrapnel or violent structural torque from the instant engine seizure punctured or severed the adjacent transmission cooler fluid lines and compromised brake fluid lines, causing total loss of transmission fluid and brake fluid simultaneously.Request for Action: This failure mirrors the exact mechanical defects documented in GM Technical Service Bulletin 21-NA-268 and previous GM vacuum pump recalls like NHTSA Recall 19V-645, which excluded the 2021 Blazer. I am filing this report because the lack of an electronic warning indicator before a catastrophic mechanical brake and engine failure poses an extreme, immediate threat to highway safety. GM must expand recall coverage or issue a Special Coverage Adjustment for this model year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 was performed under warranty. The vehicle is now experiencing an abnormal humming/clicking noise from under the hood. The problem initially occurred primarily after rain but has become increasingly...
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frequent. When the noise occurs, the air-conditioning system stops cooling properly and blows warm air. The check-engine light has also illuminated intermittently. The exact component currently malfunctioning is unknown. The vehicle remains available for inspection. Because the symptoms involve the engine compartment and follow multiple previous cooling-system repairs, I am concerned about the possibility of overheating, loss of proper cooling-system operation, an unexpected breakdown while driving, or another mechanical failure that could place the occupants or other motorists at risk. Authorized Chevrolet dealerships previously inspected and repaired the vehicle's cooling system in 2023 and again in 2024. Despite those repairs, significant symptoms have returned. The current problem has not yet been definitively diagnosed, so I cannot state that the present failure is the same component previously repaired. The warning symptoms include the abnormal under-hood humming/clicking, loss of cold air from the air-conditioning system when the condition occurs, and an intermittent check-engine light. The symptoms have become more frequent over time. I am reporting this because of the recurring nature of the problem and the vehicle's history of multiple cooling-system repairs. I request that NHTSA document and evaluate this complaint together with any similar complaints involving this model and model year.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated, and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the engine temperature rose to HOT. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the thermostat was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data