Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Blazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the contact crashed into the side of another vehicle. The contact stated that the force of the impact caused the vehicle to bounce off the second vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The passenger sustained injuries to the left ankle and knees, as well as a broken thumb. The contact was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure. The vehicle was not inspected for the cause of failure nor repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 122,000.
Dt: contact stated the air bags did not deploy in a head on crash. While traveling at about 60 MPH the vehicle hydro planed. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed. Three people sustained injuries. A police report was taken. The dealer was contacted but offered no assistance. The manufacturer informed her they have a buyer for the vehicle, and they offered no free remedy. Vehicle was totaled.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was a momentary loss of vehicle control, the vehicle struck a nearby tree stump, and the airbags did not deploy. The contact was wearing a seat belt, but no injuries were sustained. There was moderate damage to the front of the vehicle. The police were alerted, and a report was taken. The manufacturer was alerted.
A frontal impact occurred at 40 MPH as another motorist pulled out in front of me. The air bags did not deploy. The front driver seat belt did not properly restrain me and I was forced into the roof at the trim edge of the windshield, sustaining a minor scalp laceration, cervical disc damage, and a concussion. The vehicle was totaled by nationwide insurance.
While driving to work on us 23 south bound, a lady in front of me slammed on her brakes while driving 70 MPH. I swerved to avoid hitting her and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle flipped and I ended on us 23 northbound. My airbags never deployed. All four of my tires expoded. No one was killed.
Driver side air bag failed to deploy in a crash through: 1. A six foot tall wooden fence at almost 30mph, then 2. The exterior side of a 2-story home that contained the kitchen sink and plumbing fixtures, while smashing up and over the fifteen-inch concrete foundation, front-end first.
2001 Chevrolet Blazer. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall issues also airbags and seat belts malfunction during accident. The consumer and her son were involved in a roll over accident. As a result, her son died.
While driving at 53 MPH, the consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The consumer sustained minor injuries. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Consumer's vehicle was at a complete stop and another vehicle was coming head on which resulted in a head on collision. There was a vehicle behind consumer's vehicle which she was pushed into due to the head on collision. However, upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained major injuries.
On 07/10/02 airbag light came on. Vehicle was checked by dealer on 07/17/02, who read internal codes, and advised there was no problem. On 07/22/02, vehicle was idling ,and both driver's and passenger's airbags deployed without warning. Consumer was not in vehicle when incident occurred.
Airbag complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer, 7% of the model year's 326 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Blazer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Blazer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.