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2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Trailblazer.

Transmission Automatic 9-spd

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a model that, despite having accumulated 182 owner complaints and 4 recalls to date, sits comfortably within a broader reliability context spanning 1999 to 2026—a period during which the model ranged from a high of 1,733 complaints in 2005 down to a low of just 1 complaint in 2014, suggesting meaningful variability in build quality across generations; equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission and rated at 28 mpg combined by the EPA, the Trailblazer offers competitive efficiency for its class, while its 4.2-quart oil capacity with 5W-30 viscosity represents standard maintenance parameters for this model year.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy26/30/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 760 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 760 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size225/60R17 99HOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25206377 alt 12727115
Engine air filter	42712666
Spark plug	12688094 alt 12683541
Battery	88864541
Front wiper blades	42709513 alt 42709511
Serpentine belt	12687927 alt 55512900
Thermostat	12666900 alt 55487536
Cabin air filter	13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 9-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	173.6 in
Overall width	71.3 in
Overall height	65.7 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	3014 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 61.8 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	26 / 30 / 28 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Trailblazer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.2–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.20 sec — 2021 ACTIV

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2021	ACTIV 1.3L Turbo I-3	9.20 sec	16.80 sec	155 hp	AWD
2021	RS 1.3L Turbo I-3	9.30 sec	17.00 sec	155 hp	AWD
2021	RS 1.3L Turbo I-3	9.40 sec	17.10 sec	155 hp	AWD
2024	RS 1.3L Turbo I-3	8.70 sec	16.70 sec	155 hp	AWD
2024	Activ 1.3L Turbo I-3	8.80 sec	16.70 sec	155 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.33 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	Dot 4
Brake Fluid Capacity	1.387 pt
Engine Coolant Capacity	7.38 qt
Engine Coolant	Dex Cool meeting GMW3420 Specifications
Engine Coolant Capacity	6.7 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Engine Oil	0W-20

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.25 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.6 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	27.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts	6.25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.33 ft-lbs
Torque Converter Bolts	44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	103 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	30.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.025-.029 in
Spark Plug Torque	12.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.024-.028 in
Spark Plug Torque	12.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.32 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	760 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 27.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Rear: 74.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque	6.3
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .906; Rear: .315
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: .913; Rear: .323
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	Front: .0024; Rear: .0002
Maximum Rotor Runout	Front: .0008; Rear: .0016

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°

15 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°

18 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 60°, Step 4: M6 Long Bolts: 11.0

22 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70°

11 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Windshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 75,000 mi	Hood Hinge (inspect)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer carries the heaviest federal footprint of its 2021–2026 generation, with 184 complaints and 4 recalls, compared with just 1 complaint and no recalls for the 2014 data point and 28/195 complaints with no recalls at the end of the prior 1999–2009 series. From 2021 onward, the trend slopes downward sharply: complaints fall to 102 in 2022, 62 in 2023, 32 in 2024, 19 in 2025, and 3 in 2026, while recalls drop to one in 2022 and none thereafter, placing 2021 at the peak of the reported-issue curve. The top 2021 complaint areas are “Unknown Or Other” (32), “Power Train” (23), “Engine” (15), and “Service Brakes” (12), though the data does not specify underlying causes; the year also logged 7 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints. Because later model years show markedly fewer reports and no recalls after 2022, a 2021 Trailblazer is a riskier buy within this generation. Make sure all four recalls are completed and factor the early-production complaint rate into your decision.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

746

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

181

Owner complaints

7 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’14’21’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 182 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other32

Power Train23

Engine15

Service Brakes12

Electrical System11

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other8

Fuel/Propulsion System5

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V537000Seats:Critical FastenersReported 03/09/2020

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…

20V295000TiresReported 21/05/2020

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 746 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT5966F	2026-06-23	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIP6032C	2026-06-03	Unknown Or Other	PIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
PIC6423A	2026-05-11	Unknown Or Other	Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B	2026-05-11	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
PIP6029A	2026-04-21	Unknown Or Other	This PI instructs dealers to install foam around the shifter cable to stop rattling

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Trailblazer. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 25206377 Engine air filter 42712666 Spark plug 12688094 Battery 88864541

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Trailblazer take?

4.2 qt of Dexos1 Gen 2 5W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Trailblazer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Trailblazer get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 30 highway / 28 combined mpg.