Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While traveling down the road at approximatly 35-40 mph with my two minor children, the steering was not responding properly and the car kept attempting to veer to the right. I let off the gas to slow down since the brakes were also not seeming to respond well. Upon attempting to brake and execute a left hand turn, the car would not turn at all despite the steering wheel being as turned as far to the left as possible, the lights began flashing on the dashboard for "PowerSteering" ESC warning. We ended up going through the intersection without stopping and narrowly missed another car in intersection and went completely off the road into a snowbank. Fortunately we were not injured. We drove the vehicle back home (approximately one mile) by overpowering the steering and manually forcing the car to stay on the road. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. During the failure, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle was jump-started. The Auto START/STOP function was disabled for the vehicle to operate properly. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact replaced the battery, and the failure was almost resolved. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The issue was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the RPM was abnormally elevated, and the vehicle jerked abnormally while shifting gears. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brakes became inoperative. The message "Brake Failure - Speed Reduced to 53 MPH - Service Required" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the dealer stated that the vehicle could not be diagnosed because diagnostic tests were available only by appointment. The dealer informed the contact that the computer software needed to be reset to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact information about a recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,884.
A loud popping noise heard through the radio when light pressure applied to brakes. Noise loud enough to scare the hell out of all the occupants in the car. Brakes squeaked when car was in reverse. Tried to slow down on wet pavement. Car started to veer to the right. Forward collision warning nor automatic emergency braking worked. Pushed brake all the way to the floor and the car did not slow. Rear ended another car. No airbags deployed. My passenger was okay. I got diagnosed with a concussion. Do not know if the occupants in the other car were injured.
I have had the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer since May 2021, it has been 15 months, not even a year and a half off the lot and i have had wayyyy too many problems. I have has service the stabilitrak stability control system, service the antilock breaking system multiple times within the first 8-10 months. I had to get a part replaced due to that. The dealership had my vehicle literally for a month after i bought it, had an open tak report through Gm due to my engine light coming on. Gm did not know why it was happening. Had 2 service engine and transmission system alerts. I have had a fuel injector and line replaced as well within the first 6 months. I have had to get the system updated 2 times also. Now August 2022 im having service battery, or starter. Have had my vehicle shut off on me at an intersection then come back on two different times. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The shift lever/gear control malfunctions when trying to put the vehicle in park. The vehicle once the lever is in park on the dashboard it will say !Place vehicle in park. When it is in park you can't open the doors or turn off the vehicle. You can try to jiggle the shift lever but it doesn't move out of park. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Unable to get out of the vehicle, the system locks the doors. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - It has occurred at the beginning of the year. No it hasn't been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …
While driving on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete failure of the electronic braking/power brake assist system. Simultaneously, multiple safety warnings illuminated on the dashboard display, including a persistent service wrench icon, a traction control warning light, and a lane-keep assist indicator light. Due to the loss of brake assistance, the vehicle was unsafe to operate and had to be towed/driven directly to a licensed dealership for emergency diagnosis. The dealership technicians subsequently inspected the vehicle and reported that the entire electronic braking system had suffered a total failure and is completely non-functional. …
05/29/24 I took this vehicle to Cronic Chevrolet in Griffin, Ga due to check engine light being on. Code detected purge pump it was still under warranty at that time only had 43,906 miles on had to get the purge pump replaced. Several weeks after getting it back I kept getting a shift to park message come up when trying to put it in park then started having trouble getting it to go into drive. I have had so many close calls from people almost bashing into me because my car will not go into drive and you constantly have to switch in and out of gears for it to finally go in. Its sucking the had right out due to it not shifting gears properly. The code reader detected transmission control module which I find to be faulty and understand there are serval recalls on this specific vehicle , when it started this issue it didn't even have 50,000 miles on it!
The ABS and stability control systems crash without warning. Randomly on a trip the check engine light randomly comes on without warning and immediately my break system stops being effective. I have to put full force on the brake pedal to start breaking the vehicle and coming to a stop becomes difficult. This puts my life as well as others at risk as I would not be able to break on time. The problem immediately goes away after turning the car off and turning it back on leading me to believe it's simply a computer problem. The service provider Chevrolet has not reproduced or confirmed the issue to my knowledge. No warning lights come on prior to the issue nor does the check engine line persist after being turned off and on again.
The brakes squeal and squeak when in reverse and applying the brake when going forward at low speed. I have been told there is a GM service bulletin that says this is normal for the brakes to make this very loud noise. I have not seen this bulletin and have not been able to find the bulletin online. At any rate this is not normal for a car with 7600 miles to have brakes that squeal all the time. I have taken this to two different dealers and get the same answer but I do not believe it is proper to make a customer deal with this when they spend close to 30k on a car and you will not fix it because it does not cause a safety issue. Bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage should mean just that.
Related recalls
Service brakes
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020.
Brake complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 16% of the model year's 196 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-588 (service brakes, Sep 24, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 71% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to brakes 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.