The 2019 Blazer rides on GM's C1 platform with multiple powertrain options—most issues concentrate in the 9-speed automatic transmission and the 2.0L turbo engine's internal failures. The 3.6L V6 is more reliable but isn't immune to typical GM transmission headaches.
9-Speed Automatic Transmission Shuddering and Oil Cooler Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard shifts between 2nd-3rd or 4th-5th gears, especially under light throttle, Transmission shudder during acceleration around 35-45 mph, Transmission fluid overheating, burnt smell, Check engine light with transmission fluid temperature codes
Fix: TSBs address software calibration first (1 hour flash), but many need the oil cooler replaced due to internal contamination. Severe cases require valve body replacement or full rebuild. Oil cooler R&R is 3-4 hours, valve body is 8-10 hours.
Symptoms: Severe knocking or ticking noise from engine block, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Sudden loss of power, limp mode, Complete engine seizure in extreme cases, White or blue smoke from exhaust
Fix: GM's LTG 2.0T has documented piston skirt cracking and bearing failures traced to marginal oil flow under high load. Requires complete engine rebuild (35-40 hours) or long-block replacement (25-30 hours). Some dealerships have done goodwill coverage even out of warranty due to pattern failures.
Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500
Transmission Mount Failure (Rear Motor Mount)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in Drive, Visible engine/transmission movement when accelerating hard, Thud felt through floorboard during shifts
Fix: The rear transmission mount wears prematurely on AWD models especially. Straightforward replacement, 1.5-2 hours labor. Check all three mounts while you're in there—front and side mounts often deteriorate simultaneously.
Estimated cost: $250-450
3.6L V6 Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Wear
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise on cold start for 2-3 seconds, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0008, P0017), Rough idle or misfire, Engine won't start or starts and dies immediately
Fix: The LGX 3.6L uses dual overhead cam design with timing chains that stretch over time. Requires front cover removal, all four chains, guides, tensioners, and variable valve timing solenoids. Book time is 18-22 hours. Do NOT ignore rattling—stretched chains can jump teeth and cause valve-to-piston contact.
Estimated cost: $3,200-5,000
Fuel Injector and High-Pressure Fuel Pump Issues (2.0L Turbo)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when engine is hot, Misfires under load or acceleration, Fuel smell in cabin or engine bay, P0087 fuel pressure too low code, Rough idle and hesitation
Fix: The direct-injection system runs high pressures and the pump or injectors can fail. High-pressure pump replacement is 3-4 hours (requires intake manifold removal), single injector is 2-3 hours. Often multiple injectors fail together. Use only AC Delco or OE-spec parts—aftermarket causes repeat failures.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800
Electronic Parking Brake Module Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Parking brake warning light stays on, Grinding or clicking noise from rear brakes, Parking brake won't release or engage, Service parking brake message on dash
Fix: The EPB actuators on the rear calipers fail, sometimes just one side. Each actuator requires caliper replacement (integrated design) at 1.5 hours per side. Needs electronic calibration with scan tool after install. Cold weather accelerates failures.
Estimated cost: $450-900
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50,000 miles regardless of GM's 'lifetime' claim—the 9-speed is sensitive to degraded fluid
If you have the 2.0T, send oil samples to Blackstone Labs every other change to catch bearing wear early
Listen for ANY timing chain noise on the 3.6L—address it immediately before it becomes catastrophic
Keep up with the direct-injection cleaning service every 30,000 miles (intake valve carbon buildup causes rough running)
Use Top Tier gasoline exclusively in the turbo engines—they're extremely sensitive to detergent levels
The 3.6L V6 with regular transmission maintenance is the safest bet; avoid the 2.0L turbo unless you see comprehensive service records and can budget for a potential engine replacement—pattern failures are too common for peace of mind.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required for start-stop system; located under hood
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Every control module on the 2019-2024 Chevrolet Blazer — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Controls automatic headlamps, DRL, high beam assist. Configuration programming recommended but not always required.
Tire Pressure Monitor Control Module (TPMS)relearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 integrated in BCM
🔧 TPMS relearn tool or GDS2
⚠️ TPMS receiver integrated in BCM. Sensor IDs must be relearned after tire rotation or sensor replacement. 315 MHz sensors.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 20V668000
2020-10-29
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
20mpg
Highway
26mpg
Combined
22mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Wiper blades
New generation midsize crossover. No rear wiper on this body style
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer 3.6L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.