The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer starts at $36,095. There won't be a 2027 model. General Motors confirmed this spring that the current generation ends production at its Ramos Arizpe, Mexico plant in September 2026, with a redesigned 2028 model scheduled to arrive at a new Spring Hill, Tennessee facility roughly 18 months later. If you're shopping a Blazer right now, you're shopping used by default.
That's not a bad position to be in. The used market has seven years of real-world reliability data, known failure patterns by model year, and pricing that doesn't carry the tariff inflation baked into new Blazer stickers. The 2022 and 2023 model years, in particular, represent a window that won't last once the model-year gap drives more buyers into the used pool.
What's happening with the Blazer lineup
Production of the 2026 Blazer ends September 25, 2026. There will be no dealer lots of new Blazers from that point until the 2028 redesign arrives in late 2027 or early 2028. The redesigned model moves to Spring Hill, Tennessee, gains a 2.7-liter engine option, and debuts a 17.7-inch infotainment screen.
Two things follow from this. First, anyone who buys a 2028 Blazer will be buying a first-year redesign from a new factory. Early-production vehicles on new platforms historically carry more quality variance than late-run cars from a seasoned line. Second, the 18-month gap with no new Blazer on lots concentrates used demand on a fixed pool of inventory. Prices for clean 2022 and 2023 units may firm as that dynamic plays out.
The current Blazer is also built in Mexico, which means new 2026 units carry tariff exposure under the 25% auto import tariff in effect. Used Blazers already in the country don't. A used 2022 LT AWD at $24,000 avoids roughly $3,000 to $5,000 in tariff-related pricing that dealers have passed through on new stock, per KBB tariff cost estimates for USMCA-compliant vehicles.
Which years to buy and which to skip
The 2019 and 2020 model years earned the most complaints in the NHTSA database: 170-plus for 2019, 178 for 2020. Powertrain (53 complaints), electrical (34), and steering (30) led the 2019 categories, per NHTSA filings. The most commonly reported symptoms were transmission shuddering during acceleration, trouble staying in gear, and a "Reduced Steering Assist" warning that makes the wheel feel heavy mid-drive. Both years also carried recalls for a start/stop accumulator with missing bolts, a potential source of transmission fluid leaks and fire risk.
The 2021 cut complaints by roughly 40 percent versus 2020. Most of the early manufacturing defects had been corrected in the production line by that point. The 2022 is the most reliable year based on Consumer Reports owner satisfaction data. Its single recall involved a driver seat cushion frame weld on certain units: a quality concern, but not in the same category as the transmission and airbag inflator issues that hit earlier years.
| Model Year | NHTSA Recalls | Relative Complaints | Major Issues | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 170+ | Transmission, steering, accumulator | Avoid |
| 2020 | 3 | 178 | Transmission, airbag inflator, seat belt bolts | Avoid |
| 2021 | 1 | ~104 | Seat belt bolt (single recall) | Acceptable |
| 2022 | 1 | Low | Seat cushion frame weld | Best used year |
| 2023 | 1 | Low | Limited data | Good |
| 2024-2025 | Few | Very low | Too new for pattern data | Good, higher price |
Recall counts per NHTSA filings. Complaint volumes approximate from NHTSA consumer complaint database.
The engine to get, and the one to avoid
The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder came standard on the base 2019 trim. It was the weakest powertrain option on the platform. GM dropped it after 2019. If you're looking at a 2019 Blazer, confirm it has the 2.0-liter or V6 spec before you go further.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (228 horsepower) became the standard engine from 2020 onward and covers the majority of used LT and RS listings. It's more reliable than the 1.5L and handles the platform well. Most 2021 through 2023 inventory runs this engine.
The 3.6-liter V6 (308 horsepower) came in RS V6 and Premier trims. It's the most capable and, per owner complaint data, the most reliable powertrain option. RS and Premier models carry a price premium, but the V6 spec has fewer long-term reported issues than the 2.0L turbo. If budget allows, it's worth seeking out.
Pricing by model year
| Model Year | Typical Listing Range | Average Mileage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13,000 - $28,000 | ~70,000 miles | Most affordable reliable year |
| 2022 | $16,000 - $29,000 | ~53,000 miles | Best reliability, strong inventory |
| 2023 | $22,700 - $31,200 | ~35,000 miles | Low mileage, higher cost |
| New 2026 | $36,095 - $48,295 | 0 miles | Mexico-built, tariff-exposed |
2021 range from Edmunds appraisal data. 2022 mileage from CarScout active listings (676 units). 2023 range from CARFAX, average $28,219 per CarGurus. 2026 MSRP from Chevrolet.
The 2022 sweet spot is a clean LT AWD with the 2.0L engine, somewhere between 40,000 and 65,000 miles, priced in the $20,000 to $25,000 range. That combination gives you the most reliable model year, mid-life mileage, and meaningful room below the $36,095 new baseline before tariff exposure on top.
What to check before you buy
Run the 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov before you commit to anything. Every Blazer year has at least one open recall. The 2020 airbag inflator recall and 2021 seat belt bolt recall are safety-critical. Dealers must perform recall repairs for free regardless of whether they disclose them, but you need to know to ask.
On a test drive, pay attention to:
- Transmission hesitation or a shudder between 25 and 45 mph, most common on 2019 and 2020 models
- Steering that feels heavy or shows a dashboard warning at low speeds (Reduced Steering Assist)
- Brake grinding or a soft pedal feel, reported frequently on 2020 and 2021 units at higher mileage
If the seller mentions recent service, ask for documentation. Pre-2021 Blazers that haven't had transmission fluid serviced by 60,000 miles carry elevated risk. A $150 pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop is cheap compared to a transmission diagnosis.
FAQ
Is the 2022 Chevy Blazer reliable? Based on Consumer Reports owner satisfaction data, 2022 is the most reliable model year in the current Blazer generation. It has one recall on record (driver seat cushion frame weld) and substantially fewer NHTSA complaints than 2019 and 2020 models. Paired with the 2.0L turbo or V6, it's the lowest-risk entry point in the used Blazer market.
Which Chevy Blazer years should you avoid? Avoid the 2019 and 2020. Per NHTSA data, both logged 170-plus consumer complaints, with documented transmission shuddering, steering failures, and airbag defects. The 2019 also had the problematic 1.5L engine in base trims, which GM discontinued after one year.
When will the 2028 Chevy Blazer be available? Production at the Spring Hill, Tennessee plant is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027. That means no new Blazer on dealer lots from October 2026 until late 2027 at the earliest. Buyers looking for a new Blazer will be waiting roughly 12 to 18 months. Used inventory is the only option during that window.
CarScout's Chevrolet Blazer market page tracks live pricing across all model years and trim levels. Set a scout and you'll get an alert when a 2022 or 2023 Blazer in your target range shows up in your market. Plans start at $5/week at usecarscout.com.