Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Transmission cooler lines between the radiator and transmission are corroded and pitted. The lines are installed over the exhaust catalytic converter. There is transmission fluid leaking from the lines, which is dripping onto hot exhaust components and burning, creating a fire hazard. These lines appear to be stainless steel, which shouldn't be corroding. The lines should not be in such close proximity to exhaust components. When the vehicle is not running/in motion, transmission fluid pools on the ground under the vehicle. In motion, the fluid is being blown rearward, coating the undercarriage and exhaust.
I have a 2001 Blazer that keeps popping up a check engine light codes.I.e p0301,p0753,p0756,p0758. I have had these parts replaced twice in the last few months. Mechanic said it was related to the electrical system. The codes come back after driving for about 100 miles.
This was not the first time I had a problem with the transmission in this car. Earlier in the year I put it in the shop because it seemed to be falling out of overdrive. It was repaired and I had two months of incident-free driving. We went on a weekend trip. After I stopped and restarted the car, I noticed my clock reset itself. Two hours into the trip, the car started jerking in and out of gear. We drove two hours back to the dealership where they found a computer wire was disconnected. Two hours later, the car starts slipping in and out of overdrive again. It would run in 3rd gear, we were close enough to our destination, we continued on in 3rd gear. When I got back home, I dropped the car off at the dealership and told them to fix it. I was without my vehicle the majority of the following 6 week period. …
My friends borrowed my vehicle, a 2001 Chevy Blazer, and went camping in the mountains. The vehicle was parked at a location that could have been very dangerous due to this failure, it was near a creek bank with a drop of approximately 30 feet. When the vehicle was started and put into reverse all it would do is coast forward which could have been very dangerous if they did not react in time as it could have went over a cliff. Fortunately they were in an area where there was a pay phone. They were staying at a state park and there are many areas that are very remote and are several miles away from phones or people. …
Driving within the city I heard a clack noise and a loud noise came from the transmission, after that I couldn't use the reverse, and first gear was longer than usual, this vehicle only has 42,000 miles. I have spoken with mechanics and friends and this is a manufacturer failure with this type of vehicle, my mechanic. Told me he has to fix so far about one of those brand vehicle per month, a friend told me he purchased a Chevy Blazer and moving it from dealer he couldn't move vehicle, transmission was locked, I need the manufacturer fix my car immediately at no cost. Since I purchased vehicle took it twice because I was hearing a noise, but Chevrolet dealer said everything was fine, they couldn't fine any noise, but I heard that noise twice and a very loud and steady noice sometimes coming from the transmission after speeding in a traffic light (from red to green).
Transmission dropped out @44000 miles. 12/02 had to replace both front ball joints. Summer of '03 started making loud popping noises which came from front right area, it would pull unexpectedly to either side - mainly to the right and service 4wd light would come on. 10/03 had to have right front wheel bearing replaced. Could find nothing wrong with 4wd-don't know why light keeps coming on. Now 01/04, right front wheel bearing needs replaced again. I'm told part under warranty as long as I own vehicle cause GM has received so many complaints. What is GM doing to correct the root cause of this? I see I am not the only one with this problem. Thank god I have not had any accidents, but have had a few near misses because the it would "jerk instantly" and it caught me off guard. Does an accident / injury / fatality have to happen before corrective action is taken?
Consumer heard a noise in the front of vehicle. Consumer stated he had been hearing it a little, but currently the noise became more pronounced. Consumer had already replaced the transmission once. The consumer had to fill the tires every week. The tires leaked air since purchase. The tire service dealer suggested that there was no leak and that corrosion built up on the wheels in which air escaped through the rim of tires. There was a thumping noise in the front end and seems like it happens worst on right turns, the left wheel bearing was loose in the hub bearing assembly, the hood hinges rattling excessive clearence, there was excessive slippage and the clutch burnt. (laredo tires)
Battery going dead after charging cell phone. Engine light on x 6 month - 1 year, several mechanics unable to find a cause 2 weeks ago: driving on the highway, nearing an exit, transmission start to go out. Drove it to a garage....would not go iinto reverse. Drove it home....will not go into gear at all by the time I got the car home. Car towed to another garage for repair. Vehicle is 2001 Chevy Blazer with 78,000 original miles. I bought the vehicle brand new and daily use to go to work and drop kids off at school. Last summer drove it to florida. No problems. I don't tow anything nor do I drive it off-road. Last year the bolts off the suspension at to be replaced costing $1,000.
Our 2001 Blazer 4wd failed to engage . We were traveling east on highway 36. It was snowing. I pressed the 4wd hi button and it continued to blink. We were on a narrow two lane highway and had no where to pull over. The 4 wheel drive failed to engage and the Blazer, within seconds sliped over the cliff. The front wheels did not lock in. We rolled down the cliff approximately 50 feet and hit a tree.
Rattle in front end of vehicle coming from suspension, or wheels, can be felt in steering wheel. Also after coming to a stop after traveling on interstate vehicle shakes/vibrates in transmission/rear drivetrain area when starting. Both have been going on for a couple years, and I have had vehicle at dealer ship to repair/locate problem, but problem continues
Transmission complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer, 10% of the model year's 326 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Blazer transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.