Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2001 Chevrolet BlazerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 331 owner complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (68) and suspension (40). The EPA rates it 14–17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2008
Owner complaints
331
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 21, 2008NHTSA 08V231000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Dec 3, 2001NHTSA 01V364000

Seat belts

Free remedy

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."

Seat beltsReported Aug 7, 2000NHTSA 00V228003
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

331 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2000 – May 2023
  1. Exterior lighting68
  2. Suspension40
  3. Electrical system40
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic37
  5. Power train31
  6. Fuel system, gasoline26
  7. Air bags23
  8. Engine and engine cooling23
  9. Structure16

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Blazer model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19961,161
1997774
1998734
1999442
2000600
2001331
2002259
2003104
200450
200515
2019190
2020224
2021142
202255
202344
2024133
202556
20261
Crashes reported
36
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
22
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

68 reports1 crash
“MY 2001 BLAZER'S BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING DURING A RECENT DRIVE, AND ANOTHER DRIVER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO POINT THIS OUT AT A STOPLIGHT. THE NEXT DAY THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED AGAIN, BUT REMAINED ON AFTER I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WAS THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE (GM RECALL NUMBER 01073) AND GM RECALLED A NUMBER OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLES, BUT MY BLAZER'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE OFFICIAL RECALL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2015Exterior lightingODI 10809342

Suspension

40 reports2 crashes
“Chevy Blazer has low milage. However, it still has several electrical issues radio at engine start goes to loudest point and car seats move backwards at awkward times which can cause an accident. Suspension very off guard, truck drifts to the sides while driving and makes an awkward sound when turning steering wheel. The complete break / steering system is off and may cause an accident if not properly take care right away. I have no money to do this big job. Please remediate.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2023Suspension, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11524128

Electrical system

40 reports2 crashes4 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2020Power train, Electrical systemODI 11374977
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Blazer 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
Blazer 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
Blazer 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
Blazer 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131614$4,450635
  • Blazer 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Blazer 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Blazer 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Blazer 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    13 city · 16 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4305
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Blazer questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet Blazer problems?

Owners filed 331 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (68), suspension (40), electrical system (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer at 14–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026