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2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer maintenance schedule

The 2021 Trailblazer is part of the VSS-F generation (2021-2026), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2021 Trailblazer needs, and when

All 12 of these items come from Chevrolet's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Chevrolet's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

OLM dictated

7,500 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter45,000 mi / 4 yearsManufacturer
Cabin air filter22,500 mi / 2 yearsManufacturer
Tire rotation7,500 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Brake fluid45,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant150,000 mi / 5 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid

Severe schedule

45,000 miManufacturer
Spark plugs

Essential for turbo operation

60,000 miManufacturer
Serpentine belt97,500 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid

AWD models

45,000 miManufacturer
PCV valve97,500 miManufacturer
12V batteryInspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
5W-30 dexos1 Gen3, 4.2 qt
Coolant
Dex-Cool
Transmission fluid
Dexron VI (9-speed) / CVT fluid

Powertrains in this generation

  • 1.2L 3-cyl (LIH), 137 hp, CVT, FWD
  • 1.3L 3-cyl (L3T), 155 hp, 9-speed auto / CVT, FWD/AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2021 Trailblazer owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Turbocharger wastegate

medium severity

20,000-60,000 mi · $360-$960 to fix

Sluggish acceleration, CEL

Source: repairpal.com

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Chevrolet dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Equipment

NHTSA 21V440000

June 2021

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A212335470.

Service brakes

NHTSA 20V588000

September 2020

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.

Seats

NHTSA 20V537000

September 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.

Equipment

NHTSA 20V295000

May 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles factory-equipped with optional 17-inch sport terrain tires. The certification label on these vehicles does not provide the tire size and cold tire pressure information for front and rear tires, as required. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and will mail corrected labels for customers to apply, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A202304070.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$600
Five years of maintenance
$3,360
The major service near 100,000 mi
$1,320

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Trailblazer model years

VSS-F (2021-2026)

202120222023202420252026

Shopping new? The Chevrolet Trailblazer guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-18. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a Trailblazer for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2021 Trailblazer earns before you buy it.

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