CarBrief

NHTSA has 222 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer[1], and the model year has 3 recalls[2]. Complaints are led by the electrical system, power train and engine groups[3][4][5].

222owner complaints[1]
3recalls[2]
21–24MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 222 complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 5 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 7 injuries, and 0 deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Here is how the complaints split by component group:

We also read a small sample of 12 complaint texts for each of the larger groups[3][4][5][9]. Counts below come from those samples only, so they show what owners describe, not how common a problem is.

Power train. In the sample, 3 owners describe a "Shift to Park" message or trouble getting the car to register park[4]. 2 say the car rolled away after they turned it off while it was still in drive[4]. 5 describe jolting, skipping, a stuck low gear or no response in reverse[4].

Engine. In the sample, 5 owners describe a coolant temperature gauge stuck on cold or a thermostat problem, sometimes with a steering assist warning[5]. 2 say the engine shut off while driving, and 2 mention an oil leak[5].

Steering. In the sample, 7 owners describe a "steering assist reduced" warning[9]. Several say it comes with a fan that keeps running or a temperature gauge that reads cold. 2 describe hard or unstable steering[9].

Electrical. In the sample, 3 owners describe the "Shift to Park" message and 2 describe a rearview camera that failed[3].

The same warnings show up under more than one group, which fits the note that one complaint can name several components[1].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Blazer[2]. Newest first:

These recalls cover other GM models too, but each one lists the Blazer.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and the drive type. All of them use regular fuel and an Automatic 9-spd[16][17][18][6][19].

Engine and drive City / highway / combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, front-wheel drive[6] 21 / 28 / 24 $2,800
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive[19] 21 / 27 / 23 $2,900
2.5L 4-cyl, front-wheel drive[16] 21 / 27 / 23 $2,900
3.6L 6-cyl, front-wheel drive[17] 19 / 26 / 21 $3,200
3.6L 6-cyl, all-wheel drive[18] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,200

The 2.0L turbo with front-wheel drive has the best combined rating in this list, and both 3.6L versions have the lowest. EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star ratings are the same for both drive types on overall, frontal and side tests: 5 stars each[7][20]. Rollover is 4 stars for both[7][20].

Engine and size

EPA lists a rated 193 hp for the 2.5L 4-cylinder[21] and 308 hp for the 3.6L 6-cylinder[22]. Our data has no horsepower rating for the 2.0L turbo[6].

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Length, width, height and wheelbase are the same across the versions we have:

Curb weight changes with the version:

How 2020 compares with other years

1995: 1,224 complaints, 6 recalls19951996: 1,153 complaints, 6 recalls1997: 768 complaints, 4 recalls19971998: 716 complaints, 3 recalls1999: 436 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 589 complaints, 4 recalls2001: 326 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 246 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 77 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 50 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 15 complaints, 0 recalls20052019: 189 complaints, 2 recalls2020: 222 complaints, 3 recalls22220202021: 139 complaints, 1 recalls2022: 54 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 44 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 129 complaints, 5 recalls20242025: 55 complaints, 3 recalls2026: 1 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Blazer model year. The 2020 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951,2246
19961,1536
19977684
19987163
19994360
20005894
20013263
20022462
2003771
2004501
2005150
20191892
20202223
20211391
2022541
2023442
20241295
2025553
202611

NHTSA's model year table lists 222 complaints and 3 recalls for 2020[2]. Among the years from 2019 on, that is the highest complaint count. 2019 has 189, 2021 has 139 and 2024 has 129[2].

Recalls are a different picture. 2024 has 5 recalls, while 2020 and 2025 each have 3[2].

Older Blazer years from 1995 to 2002 also show higher complaint counts than 2020, for example 1,224 for 1995 and 246 for 2002[2]. Counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2020 Blazer?

The crash ratings are strong, at 5 stars overall[7][20]. The recalls have free dealer remedies that have begun[13][14][15], so check that a car you are considering has had them done. The complaint file is sizable at 222[1], and the samples we read point to shifting, thermostat and steering assist warning issues. Our data cannot say how likely any of these are, or what repairs cost. A pre-purchase inspection and a VIN recall check are sensible steps.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA lists 222 complaints, led by the electrical system (77), power train (74) and engine (73) groups[1][3][4][5]. In the small samples we read, owners describe Shift to Park messages, transmission shifting trouble, thermostat or temperature gauge trouble and a steering assist warning[4][5][9].
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer have any recalls?
Yes, 3 recalls[2]: tires (21V115)[13], a transmission accumulator (20V668)[14] and a curtain air bag inflator (20V446)[15]. Each has a free dealer remedy.
How many miles per gallon does the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer get?
EPA combined ratings run from 21 to 24 MPG depending on engine and drive[16][17][18][6][19]. The 2.0L turbo front-wheel drive rates 24[6] and the 3.6L versions rate 21[17][18].
What is the safety rating of the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA gives 5 stars overall for both all-wheel and front-wheel drive, with 4 stars for rollover[7][20].
Is 2020 a good year for the Chevrolet Blazer?
It has 222 complaints, the highest count among the years from 2019 on, and 3 recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are only a rough guide.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 222 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Blazer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 77 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 74 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 73 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. EPA rating for Blazer FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 57 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 42 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,665). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 11 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 21V115, filed February 25, 2021: Tires. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 20V668, filed October 29, 2020: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 20V446, filed July 30, 2020: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain › Inflator. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for Blazer FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Blazer FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Blazer AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Blazer AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2020 Chevrolet Blazer with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 193 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2020 Chevrolet Blazer with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 308 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, BLAZER 2.0L FWD 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 77 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,781 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, BLAZER 3.6L AWD 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 77 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,211 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, BLAZER 3.6L FWD 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 77 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,008 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.