2020 Chevrolet Blazer: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer
On the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, the failure owners report most often is thermostat failure, with 49 reports on file. The earliest to appear is other powertrain problem, reported by a median of 50,000 miles. Overall it scores 78 out of 100, severe risk for a 2020.
Severe risk for a 2020 — 85th riskiest of the 235 2020 vehicles we can rate. 356 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What breaks on the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer
Owners have reported 54 named failure modes on the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, and the three most-reported carry 34% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Thermostat failure leads with 49 reports and about 9.1 per 1,000 vehicles.
Other powertrain problem follows with 39 reports, usually reported between 29k to 60,000 miles.
Other electrical problem follows with 32 reports, median 75,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into cooling (83), electrical (49) and engine (44).
The mileage the reports cluster at
56 of the reports on the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 37,500 miles.
Cumulatively, 59% by 50,000 miles, 93% by 100,000 miles and 98% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 30% of the dated reports.
46% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 54. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 8 mention a crash and 10 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.52, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: thermostat failure at $250–$900, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000 and radiator or coolant leak at $350–$1,900. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
48% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermostat failure | cooling | 49 | 3 | — | 54k | — | 9.1 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 39 | 11 | 29k | 49k | 58k | 7.2 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 32 | 7 | — | 75k | — | 5.9 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 25 | 0 | — | — | — | 4.6 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 22 | 5 | — | 69k | — | 4.1 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 12 | 3 | — | 6k | — | 2.2 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Oil leak | engine | 9 | 3 | — | 300 | — | 1.7 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Overheating | cooling | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.5 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.5 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 7 | 4 | — | 63k | — | 1.3 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 6 | 3 | — | 9k | — | 1.1 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 5 | 1 | — | 77k | — | 0.9 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 5 | 1 | — | 275 | — | 0.9 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 5 | 1 | — | 1k | — | 0.9 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Rust or structural corrosion | body | 4 | 1 | — | 3k | — | 0.7 | $500–$6,000 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.7 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 4 | 1 | — | 42k | — | 0.7 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Parasitic battery drain | electrical | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $200–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 3 | 2 | — | 92k | — | 0.6 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.4 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 2 | 2 | — | 24k | — | 0.4 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.4 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.4 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.4 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.4 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Tire pressure monitor failure | wheels | 2 | 2 | — | 11k | — | 0.4 | $80–$600 | Low |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 2 | 1 | — | 37k | — | 0.4 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Software fault or failed update | software | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.4 | $0–$600 | Moderate |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 2 | 1 | — | 1k | — | 0.4 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 2 | 1 | — | 26k | — | 0.4 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.4 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Turbocharger or supercharger failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $1,500–$4,500 | High |
| Harsh or jerky shifting | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $600–$4,000 | Moderate |
| CV axle or driveshaft failure | drivetrain | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $450–$2,200 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 30k | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 1 | 1 | — | 72k | — | 0.2 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $200–$900 | High |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure | body | 1 | 1 | — | 35k | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,500 | Moderate |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Wiper or washer failure | glass | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $120–$800 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 37 | 0 | — | — | — | 6.9 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer draws about 66 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 98th percentile of complaint rates among 2020 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 5,391 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2020 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2020 model year
NHTSA has issued 3 recall campaigns covering the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, affecting an estimated 6,350 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover tires, power train:automatic transmission and air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
TIRES
33,838 vehicles 2021-02-25- Defect
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- Consequence
- Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
194,105 vehicles 2020-10-29- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
769 vehicles 2020-07-30- Defect
- General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
- Consequence
- If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2020 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
Severe risk for a 2020 — 85th riskiest of the 235 2020 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.
Across the 18 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2005 comes out best at 64 and 2024 worst at 82, with 2020 itself at 78.
If the model year is negotiable, 2005, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2004, 2001, 1996, 2000, 1997, 1998 and 1999 score lower than 2020 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2019–2026 generation specifically, 2022 is the strongest year at 76 and 2024 the weakest at 82.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2019-2026 generation, 2022 Chevrolet Blazer scores best at 76 and 2024 Chevrolet Blazer worst at 82.
What the numbers say to check
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other powertrain problem from about 29k.
On a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other powertrain problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
The limits of complaint data
356 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 356 reports, 56 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 16% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer?
The most-reported failures are thermostat failure (49 reports, median 55,000 miles), other powertrain problem (39 reports, median 50,000 miles) and other electrical problem (32 reports, median 75,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2020 Chevrolet Blazer problems start?
Other powertrain problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 50,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 30,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 37,500 miles.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?
It scores 78 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 85th riskiest of the 235 2020 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2020 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Chevrolet Blazer is best?
Within the 2019–2026 generation, 2022 scores best at 76 out of 100 and 2024 worst at 82. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed