Consumer Reports has dropped its “recommended” rating from the Chevy Blazer crossover and five other vehicle models based on its 2023 Auto Survey results, which indicate the Blazer is currently offering owners below-average reliability.
In the notes to its article, CR remarks that the current Chevy Blazer “is a modern SUV that focuses on style, tech, and convenience features more than on ruggedness,” while noting that reliability is more critical than ever given current automotive market conditions. The Chevy brand overall also got below average marks for dependability.
In its detailed breakdown of Chevy Blazer performance, the report gives the model a score of 60 out of 100 overall. While the crossover received a score of 78 in its road test, owner satisfaction was rated at 3 out of 5 and the reliability score was 33 out of 100. Identified problem areas include the vehicle’s transmission, brakes, climate system, build quality, body hardware, and paint and trim.
Five competing models outperformed the Chevy Blazer for reliability according to the survey. These include the Toyota 4Runner – scoring 87/100 for reliability compared to the Blazer’s 33/100 – as well as the Toyota Venza, Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and Subaru Outback. On the positive side, the Blazer still scored well for engine reliability, steering and suspension, and fuel system.
Consumer Reports notes that reliability is important because of the difficulty of obtaining affordable alternative transportation if a household’s main vehicle is disabled by mechanical failures. It observes that car companies are focused on building high-end models and “curtail production levels to create stronger demand and boost prices,” causing potential months of delays before a more affordable variant ordered by consumers arrives at the dealership.
While six models, including the Blazer and five non-GM nameplates, were ousted from the Consumer Reports recommended list based on faltering reliability, improved reliability put 15 new vehicles on the list, including several from GM. Models from The General that are newly recommended are all Cadillac nameplates, including the Cadillac CT4, Cadillac CT5, and Cadillac XT6.
The ratings are based on a wide-ranging survey including 300,000 individual vehicles from the 2000 through 2024 model years. Questions in the survey asked about problems during the past year that might have been experienced with twenty potential problem areas, including engines, transmission, EV batteries and charging where appropriate, and so on.
CRÂ auto testing director Jake Fisher states that “consumers consistently tell us reliability is one of the most important factors when buying a car,” indicating why it is so important to a model gaining and keeping a “recommended” rating.
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Comments
I don’t know where it’s built but better not be a UAW plant with that build quality issue, which apparently is a biggie.
The Blazer is proudly built outside of the US (in Mexico) as most of gm’s CUVs are these days.
not any complaints at our dealership, we were just saying how good the blazer is!
I never trust Consumer Report ratings good or bad!!!
Built in Mexico with mostly Asian parts
CR is stuck on crucifying the Big 3
Kirk I don’t trust consumer reports either… Especially when Toyota no matter what model it is new or old always makes their “recommended” list and Nissan is far from a reliable brand anymore the rogue has tons of problems and I hardly ever see a Murano on the roads, also if your going to recommend a Ford how about the explorer which outsells the edge by a wide margin… Consumer reports also dropped the recommendation for the Buick enclave which is essentially the same since 2019 granted the headlights, taillights and interior where updated … Don’t worry though the new Toyota Tacoma will be recommended no matter how many issues it has.
I totally agree, people have a hard time believing that major companies or news can’t be biased. And as far as the reliability its comes more down to the owner. Not the brand.
Ive never owned a Toyota but I’m considering the RAV4 Plug-in. What was holding me back was the CVT transmission Until I found out that it is essentially the same as the old Volt planetary gear sets where speed change ratios are accomplished by varying the relative speeds of the two motors and the engine.
That’s the most reliable gearbox there is.
If Toyota constantly gets good reviews it is because they make 300,000 mile vehicles. Whereas the Chevy Colorado has been a mechanics nightmare for the last 15 years, starting with a 5 cylinder engine that even the dealers couldn’t get started. In the meantime you have to disassemble the front of the car to do anything more than very minor maintenance.
I am of course ignoring inconveniences like dead batteries and infotainment bugaboos in later models.
Fortunately the Silverado isn’t quite as bad yet.
GM is borderline insulting their customers if they think they will accept non-repairable, throw away vehicles.
A little confusing, they are commenting on a Blazer while showing a Trailblazer. Lacks a little credibility in my opinion.
It seems to me that it says Blazer on the doors and rear hatch? Might it be a Blazer?
You are correct Sir. The front end is a little different. I retrack my previous comment
Who cares what CR says?
My 2021 Blazer RS AWD has been perfect, no complaints here!
Maybe Scotty works for C.R. these days…
Typical junk thrown into the marketplace just to get some quick sales before consumers figure it out. Total quality Management is what makes Toyota a Toyota. For those who think that CR puts Toyota on the list no matter what there’s a reason for that. Educate yourselves people. GM cannot compete on durability, reliability, and build quality. It has been that way for decades. GM used to own 60% of automotive market share. Now look at global market share it’s not even close. Toyota dominates please stop trying to compare the two companies.
And the 20k v-6s that were blowing up at 2k miles never was a problem for anybody? Yup that was Toyota.
I stopped believing Consumer Reports ratings when the Toyota Matrix consistently out scored the Pontiac Vibe, even though they were built from the same parts in the same plant by the same guys.
They’re intentionally producing junk gasoline engines in a retarded attempt to not make ev’s look ad terrible as they actually are. All these companies are so ignorant and will slowly be over took by foreign car manufacturers. I’m going to keep repairing and replacing my gasoline engine and they can shove it. EV IS A WASTE OF MONEY AND WILL NEVER BE RELIABLE AND CONVENIENT AS GAS VEHICLES
CR is always a year behind the current model year. The 2024 Blazer is available and the CR survey is ’23.
Being the owner of a new Blazer this doesn’t surprise me at all. I as many others have had and are still having many issues with this vehicle. The forums are filled with complaints. GM is completely mis-managing and hopefully someday soon the shareholders will do something about that.
Me too!!!21 blazer, bought new. Tires shot at 22k, went in for an oil change and tire rotation and was told I had transmission fluid all over. Luckily that was under warranty. Now my blazer makes a buzzing sound after I shut it off. Dealership said they can’t find anything wrong with it and said maybe it’s the Turbo?? 800 miles left on my 36k mile warranty. I regret buying this car. I’ve been a Chevy girl my whole life but I’m losing faith. Also have paint issues. Don’t recommend.
Just bought a 2024 Blazer 6cyl SUV. Hoping to use it occasionally for towing my fishing boat. It came with the tow / haul feature. Any comments about performance and reliability?
Mike