Chevrolet Blazer transmission and drivetrain problems, 2019–2027
185 of the 810 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Blazer 2019–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2020 (73), 2019 (64), 2021 (18). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Chevrolet Blazer transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 17 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 8 | 6% | — | 70 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 10 | 23% | — | 70 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2022 | 12 | 24% | — | 86 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 18 | 13% | — | 101 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 73 | 33% | 50k | 103 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 64 | 34% | — | 106 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2020: 3 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 23 · 2024: 37 · 2025: 72 · 2026: 36
Across the model years, half of the 37 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 25,000 and 80,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Intermittent Shift to Park Message Displayed While Vehicle in Park. I am seeing an intermittent Shift to Park message when the vehicle has been shifted into Park, and the ignition has been turned to the Off position. My car model is a push-to-start/stop ignition type and this issue prevents me from turning off the car at times.
As I was driving, my engine coolant temperature gauge went from normal level down all the way pegged to C. Message appears on my dashboard "Steering Assist is Reduced. Drive with Care". Also, radiator fan continuously runs as if the air conditioner was turned on, which it was not.
This is less an incident and more like a concern. I noticed a slight shudder upon accelerating. It started at lower speeds, approximately 25-30 mph, and shifting between second and third gear. Now with daily driving, the shudder has progressively gotten worse.
When Driving the vehicle, usually around 1500 rpm, you feel the transmission start to stutter, and during this stuttering, the whole car shakes violently. this violent shaking occurs on the highway with speeds of 70mph and over.
My 2021 Chevy blazer Lt v6, has a service bulletin extending warranty on thermostat malfunction, that also causes the fans to run after the car is off. My vechicle was experiencing this issue, went into my local dealer, they claim thats not my issue, I need a new radiator, that has never leaked, or the car running hot.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V172000 HighMar 16, 2023 · 8,744 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
- 23V042000 HighFeb 2, 2023 · 10 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse vehicles. The left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring.
- 20V668000 HighOct 29, 2020 · 194,105 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Other systems with a record on the Chevrolet Blazer
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Chevrolet Blazer problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Chevrolet Blazer years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2020, 73; 2019, 64; 2021, 18. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (34%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Chevrolet Blazer?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V172000 (2023), 23V042000 (2023), 20V668000 (2020). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Chevrolet Blazer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 50,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 25,000 and 80,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.