Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Chevrolet Blazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn with a reduced steering message displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the thermostat had failed, which caused the steering wheel to fail, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping while driving in the lower gears. The contact stated that the message "Reduced Steering - Drive with Caution" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle became inoperable. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving at various highways speeds, the vehicle was very unstable to steer and was swaying from side to side. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to identify a failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 1,000.
My 2020 Chevy Blazer began demonstrating possible problems with the transmission in November 2021 which have continued to date. The RPMs will rapidly increase and the car will feel as if it is jolting forward. If driving below 20 mphs, when I try to accelerate to a higher speed, the car will drag and then skip forward. I have videos showing this and have taken it to the dealership on two occasions but it couldn't be replicated and no codes show during diagnositics. The car is currently being repaired (at the dealership since 3/18/22) due to 3 separate concerns that are co-occuring which seems quite strange to me. The thermostat has gone bad, causing my check engine light to come on while driving (and having to have it towed). The car is also not recognize my remote key to operate the car. I am also getting "steering assist reduced" notifications while driving. …
Where do I start. Spring of 2024 I believe, less than 55,000 miles, my transmission went out. No warning. I just went out to my vehicle to go to work and when I put it into reverse, my vehicle make a awful noise, jerked forward almost going into my garage door, then wouldn't move.. I put it back in park, tried to put into reverse again and it wouldn't go. It was stuck in park. Had to get it towed to the dealership where they advised me the transmission went out. It was covered under the drivetrain warranty, but the GM warranty doesn't cover rental. It took almost 4 weeks for GM to approve for a new transmission due to parts being on back order to rebuild my transmission. Several months later, I was driving down the road when the ESC light and then it said "shift to neutral & press start" and I lost power. …
| Issues first appeared recorded on 3/9/2026, while odometer read 49,663 miles. Check engine light was caused by error codes P0128 and P01F0. This causes the following issues: * Check engine light to appear on the dashboard. * Engine temperature gauges to be unreliable at times or completely non functional at others, as it will constantly read the engine temperature "Cold". * Air conditioning unit to become unreliable at times or completely non functional at others, and only blow hot air. * Radiator fan will be stuck running at max speed despite current engine temperature. * A "Reduced Steering Assist" message will periodically appear on the dashboard. * A "Service ESC" message will periodically appear on the dashboard. * Remote start will becomes non functional. | Car was taken to a license Chevrolet dealership and had full thermostat housing and thermostat sensors replaced. …
2020 Chevy Blazer RS 3.6L V6: having intermittent issues with 'check engine' light activating and giving code P0128 - indicating "Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature)". Symptoms include: - Temp gauge drops to reading "C" (cold), - AC blows warm/hot air, - Dash displays message, "Steering Assist is Reduced, Drive with Care", - Radiator (electric) fans run full speed. It seems that the computer is interpreting the engine coolant temperature sensor drop as a 'stuck open' thermostat, thus the indicated code. However, at the same time it also appears to assume a bad coolant temp sensor, and failsafes to disable the AC and set the radiator fans to max to avoid potential overheating. …
I am contacting you regarding my 2020 Chevy Blazer with approx $55,580 Miles. the vehicle is experiencing multiple issues consistent with the know thermostat problem reported on many 2020 Blazer, including the P0128 code, cooling fans running at high speed and "steering Assist Reduced" warnings. The Steering wheel has now become hard to turn while driving, creating a serious safety concern for me and my family, I m [redacted] old and yesterday in mother's day) while I was driving on the expressway with my grandchildren in the vehicle, the steering suddenly became very had to turn and I was almost involved in an accident, This situation was extremely alarming and poses a significant safety risk. …
Component/System Involved: The electric power steering system in my 2020 Chevy Blazer is malfunctioning. A warning appears on the dashboard: "Steering Assist is Reduced - Drive with Care." When this happens, steering becomes very stiff and difficult. The issue is ongoing, and the component is available for inspection if requested. Safety Risk: This creates a serious safety hazard. The sudden loss of steering assist makes it hard to turn the wheel, especially at low speeds or when maneuvering. It puts me and others at risk, especially if it happens in traffic or while turning. Problem Confirmed by Dealer: No, the issue has not yet been inspected or confirmed by a dealer or service center. Inspection History: The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealership, manufacturer, police, or insurance. …
1) Part that failed per General Motors Chevrolet dealer was the Thermostat along with Coolant Sensor. 2) I was getting warning notices on dash board screen stating (Reduced steering assist) I was also getting a ESC warning 3) Problem has been repaired at GM dealer 4) Parts were replaced by GM dealer/service center 5) ESC warning light that came on for a short time after motor stopped for auto stop / start and then restarted. If auto stop / start was turned off ESC warning did not come on. Reduced steering assist warning would come on but then go off. Finally the service engine light came on and stayed on. 6) GM Service stated Code for engine light was P01F0. Autozone read a P0128 code. 7) From investigating online this seems to be a very common problem with the 2019 and 2020 Chevrolet Blazer with the 6 cylinder engine. …
Steering complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the steering of the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, 19% of the model year's 222 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2020 Chevrolet Blazer steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2020 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 2020 Chevrolet Blazer steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 9,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
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.