2001 Chevrolet Blazer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 464 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 11.5 times the median Blazer year — the 2001 model ranks #9 of 46 Blazer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 27 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (87), brakes (54), and electrical system (52), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

464

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Blazer years?

Blazer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Blazer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet Blazer problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Lighting	87	19%	— flat
Brakes	54	12%	▼ down
Electrical System	52	11%	— flat
Suspension	44	9%	▼ down
Transmission	36	8%	▼ down
Fuel System	33	7%	▼ down
Engine	26	6%	▼ down
Airbags	22	5%	▼ down
Other	20	4%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	15	3%	▼ down
Body & Structure	15	3%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	14	3%	▼ down
Steering	12	3%	▼ down
Seat Belts	11	2%	— flat
Speed Control	11	2%	▼ down
Seats	7	2%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	5	1%	▼ down

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V231000LightingMay 21, 2008 · 5,862 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 5,862 MY 2000-2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER, MY 2000-2001 GMC JIMMY, AND MY 2000 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH CARRIER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> . NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 01V364).

01V364000LightingDecember 3, 2001 · 506,377 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH CARRIER. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002, WITH MAILINGS TO OWNERS OF 2000 AND EARLY 2001 VEHICLES. THE SECOND MAILING PHASE WILL BE TO REMAINING 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

00V228003Seat BeltsAugust 7, 2000 · 156,305 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“(1) WE OWN A 2001 BLAZER. IN THE PAST OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE, MY WIFE SUFFERED A NECK INJURY IN THE 1ST ACCIDENT. THE 2ND ACCIDENT JUST HAPPENED ABOUT A MONTH OR SO AGO. (2) 2-19-2005 I WAS FOLLOWING MY WIFE HOME ,AFTER HAVING MY OTHER VEHICLE SERVICED,AND NOTICED THE STOP LAMPS WERE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · February 19, 2005 · crash

“DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE, AND UPON APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. DRIVER WAS TEMPORARILY KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND EXAMINED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL. WHEN DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE IT WAS DETERMINED THE CLUSTER MODULE FAILED, PREVENTING…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 15, 2001 · crash

“DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE, AND UPON APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. DRIVER WAS TEMPORARILY KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND EXAMINED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL. WHEN DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE IT WAS DETERMINED THE CLUSTER MODULE FAILED, PREVENTING…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 15, 2001 · crash

“PERIODICALLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT TO RIGHT. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND DEFECT. THEN, VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE LOUD NOISES. WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SHIFTED VERY HARD TO RIGHT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ON RIGHT. VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 14, 2001 · crash

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 15, 2002 · crash

2001 Chevrolet Blazer — common questions

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 464 complaints put the 2001 model at #9 of 46 Blazer years. It is one of the Blazer years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Blazer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (87 complaints), brakes (54 complaints), electrical system (52 complaints).

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Blazer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Blazer years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 1994, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2020, 1992, 2002, 2019, 1991, 2021, 2003, 2004, 2022. The cleanest record among Blazer years belongs to 1975.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2001 compare to other Blazer years?

What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet Blazer problems?

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2001 Chevrolet Blazer — common questions

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

What are the most common 2001 Blazer problems?

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer under NHTSA investigation?

Which Chevrolet Blazer years should you avoid?

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