I had no warning or indication whatsoever that my battery was going bad. I was at a major red light and my car shut down, then started back on its on with the entire panel lite up. The light changed and when I tried to turn I had hardly any stirring and almost no brakes. I almost ran into the car in front of me. I was able to get it into a parking spot and then it still gave me no light or notice of a battery issue. Because it had a recall on it that was repaired four days prior I had it towed to the dealership. They told me it was the battery but even when I picked up the car (for AAA to install the battery), it still showed 13.6% power on a 14 volt battery. This issue almost caused me to have an accident and caused me to waste $168 for a tow.
Chevrolet Blazer brake failure problems
742 of the 8,038 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Blazer describe brake failure, most of them for the 1994 model year.
- owner complaints
- 742
- worst model year
- 1994
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,500
- typical mileage
- 105,970
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 334Grinding brakes 22No deployment 12Stalling 7Spongy pedal 6Adaptive cruise 6Wipers 5Sudden acceleration 5
What owners say
On October 2, 2026, while driving my 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV AWD at approximately 55 miles per hour, I approached a stop sign while traveling downhill on a wet road. I had let off the gas and had slowed to about 35 mls per hour before I applied the break. The road was wet from rain, but I did not believe the vehicle was hydroplaning. They rain had stopped and roads were only moderately wet. I applied the brake pedal normally and continuously held the pedal down. I did not pump or release the brake pedal. The vehicle appeared to activate ABS. I could feel what seemed like repeated braking and releasing/pulsing while I continued holding the brake pedal down. Despite continuously applying the brake, the vehicle did not slow and stop as I expected and continued moving toward the stop sign. The car continued through the stop sign and the brake failure almost caused me to hit another vehicle. Once I was past the other car I turned onto Lakeview Heights and drove at about the same speed (35) and it did the same thing at the next stop sign. I did not intentionally test the ABS or attempt an emergency maneuver. This occurred during normal braking for a stop sign. The vehicle was being driven in Sport mode at the time. I subsequently took the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership for diagnosis. The dealership performed diagnostic testing and reported that they found no diagnostic faults/codes. The problem was not reproduced during the dealership inspection. I am reporting this because I experienced an unexpected loss or significant reduction in braking effectiveness while the brake pedal was continuously applied. I am concerned about a possible intermittent braking/ABS/brake-assist problem.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle lost braking functionality. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. After exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a fluid leak underneath the vehicle. The "BRAKE Failure" warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where technicians diagnosed a fluid leak from the vacuum pump, causing the brake failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) as a possible cause for the failure. However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer replaced the vacuum pump, and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
2023 Chevrolet Blazer 42334 miles 9/18/2026 Component failed: 2023 Blazer RS eBoost system. Integrated electronic brake booster / master cylinder / brake pedal sensor assembly. Component available for inspection. Same left front corner had frozen caliper FRC13443C at 37,940 miles June 2025 to pass inspection, sold as certified at 38,038 miles. Vehicle currently 42,334 miles. Safety risk: Hard brake pedal, loss of brake assist, increased stopping distance. Same condition reported before front collision August 2025. Left front remains hot. Driver scared to drive. the federal safety agency EA26006 open for eBoost 2023 Blazer describes same failure - spindle fracture, loss of ABS/stability, 21 crashes. Reproduced/confirmed: Yes. Independent shop A+ Automotive RO 82780 Sept 15 2026 confirmed hard pedal remains after full bleed, measured 8mm front/rear. Second shop Sept 17 2026 confirmed system is all-wire eBoost, no vacuums, no vacuum leaks possible. Dealer Sept 16-17 2026 stated "checked vacuum on the brakes no leaks" and "pedal fine braking normal" on eBoost vehicle that has no vacuum. Inspected by others: Manufacturer not yet. Dealer inspection 09/16-17/26 misdiagnosed as vacuum issue. Independent inspections A+ Automotive 09/15 and 09/17/26 confirmed eBoost no vacuums and hard pedal remains. Warning lamps/messages: No warning lamps. No ABS light. Symptom is hard pedal that feels like manual brakes without assist. Also left front heat. First appeared June 2025 as frozen left front caliper, returned as hard pedal after bleed. Dealer claimed normal operation.
While driving my 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, the vehicle suffered a sudden, complete failure of the power braking assist system. The failure was accompanied by a rapid cascade of three sequential dashboard warning messages in immediate succession: First Warning: "Service ESC" illuminated alongside the "Brake Park" warning light. Second Warning: "Brake Assist Failure. Press Hard to Brake. Speed Limited" illuminated with "Brake Park" remaining on. Third Warning: "Brake System Failure. 62 MPH Top Speed" illuminated with "Brake Park" remaining on. Immediately upon these warnings triggering, the power braking assist and emergency mechanical reserve failed completely. When pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle did not slow down, and the pedal failed to engage the brakes. To avoid a catastrophic intersection collision and bring the vehicle to a halt, I was forced to deliberately steer the vehicle into a concrete curb to use friction to stop the car. The vehicle is a total loss of braking safety and cannot be driven. Safety Risk: The sudden loss of braking assist creates an immediate crash hazard, as stopping distances are severely multiplied. Limiting a vehicle to a maximum speed of 62 mph while experiencing zero brake assist on active roadways places the driver and surrounding traffic in extreme danger.
The vehicle accelerated without input and the brakes failed to respond. I am notifying you that this vehicle is a life-threatening safety risk and should not be rented again until a master technician clears the electronic throttle control and breaking system. This condition presents a serious safety risk and could lead to a car crash or injury. Additionally, the vehicles, climate control system behaved erratically, alternating between extremely hot and extremely cold air without adjustment. This may indicate a broader electronic or system malfunction affecting vehicle city.
Accelerating without pressing gas pedal and gas pedal won't release with braking. Brakes overheated and this went on 10 minutes before I got it to release the gas pedal so I could safely stop. I almost hit 4 vehicles on the interstate because the gas pedal went to the floor all the sudden.
My 2021 Chevrolet Blazer experienced brake failure while driving, without any warning lights or diagnostic alerts from the vehicle’s onboard system prior to. This created a very dangerous situation for myself and others on the road, including my family who was in the car as well. Prior to this incident, I brought the vehicle to the dealership not long after purchasing it because I was constantly hearing screeching noises when braking. I thought it was rather soon to need new brakes, considering I purchased the vehicle brand new, but the issue was dismissed without any further inspection. This most definitely resulted in a missed opportunity to diagnose what is seemingly a more well known mechanical failure common among GM manufactured parts. After the brake failure, service technicians discovered that the vacuum pump had failed, causing the brakes to fail which led to engine damage by projecting shrapnel into the engine. This has rendered a $35,000 car purchase useless after 4 years of use without a $10,000 repair. I find this highly unethical. Upon further investigation, I learned that GM has previously acknowledged vacuum pump failures in several vehicles manufactured between 2014–2018 and even recalled certain models. The 2021 Chevy Blazer should be included in the list because failures of this part can lead to harm, injury, or loss of life. The documented defects in older GM models is consistent with my experience. I got oil changes and service regularly. The dealership should not have been so quick to dismiss the the brakes, knowing the history of these parts and the warning signs. This issue should be taken seriously as it is likely more widespread and is a ticking time bomb. Loss of life should not be the catalyst to trigger action in this situation. Other consumers are likely at risk without knowing it.
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, which experienced brake failure while driving, without any warning lights or diagnostic alerts from the vehicle’s onboard system. This created a highly dangerous situation for myself and others on the road. Prior to this incident, I brought the vehicle to the dealership after consistently hearing squealing or screeching noises when braking. The issue was dismissed and attributed to a change in federal regulations limiting the use of copper in brake pads—without any further inspection. This resulted in a missed opportunity to diagnose what appears to be a deeper mechanical failure. After the brake failure, service technicians discovered that the vacuum pump had failed, which impacted braking performance and also caused engine damage. While I’ve since learned that GM has acknowledged vacuum pump failures in several vehicles manufactured between 2014–2018 (via formal recalls), the 2021 Chevy Blazer is not currently included in those campaigns However, the symptoms and outcome I experienced are strikingly similar to the documented defects in older GM models. The lack of early diagnostic detection, coupled with dealership dismissal of clear warning signs, signals a potential emerging safety defect in this newer model that may not yet be officially recognized. Given the safety-critical nature of the braking system and the failure of both mechanical and procedural safeguards, I strongly urge the federal safety agency to investigate whether this issue is more widespread in recent GM models, including the 2021 Blazer. Other consumers may be at risk without knowing it.
The vehicle’s brakes failed while I was driving. I was luckily able to steer the vehicle off the road narrowly avoiding hitting another car. We had the vehicle towed to a Chevy dealer and they told us the fault was due to a low voltage battery. They would also not drive the vehicle until the battery was replaced because it was giving an error message of “brake system failure”. The dealer is the only place that has inspected the vehicle at this time. The warning messages appeared at the time of failure and not before. I find this to be a manufacturing defect in need of a recall as this could have easily caused harm or loss of life.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: s -trucks equipped with 2 wheel drive. These vehicles may have had the right-hand antilock brake system (ABS) module feed pipe and/or brake crossover pipe tube nuts tightened without seating the pipe-flared-ends enough to withstand normal assembly and vehicle inputs without partially unseating. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic service brake normal, emergency, and park braking performance."
- Risk
- If this occurred, the seating seal could be broken during vehicle assembly, or from early road inputs or brake fluid cycling, and a leak could occur increasing the brake stopping distance.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake pipe union for signs of brake fluid, and if necessary, install a new brake pipe union.
Recall number 99V220000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from september 1989 through august 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing increased stopping distances during ABS stops while in the two-wheel drive mode.
- Risk
- If this occurred at a time when minimum stopping distance was required, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Recall number 99V193000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal. If the brake pipe breaks, the driver would experience a sudden drop in the brake pedal, the instrument panel brake light would illuminate, and there would be a loss of rear brake performance.
- Risk
- Partial loss of braking at a time when minimum stopping distance was required could result in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
Recall number 97V218000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- The brake pedal pivot bolt was started in the weld nut, but was not torqued correctly causing the bolt to disengage from the weld nut.
- Risk
- This condition can result in a total loss of brakingcapability.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for hand-started brake pedal bolts and torque them to correct specifications.
Recall number 94V242000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Severe corrosion due to road salt at the joint of the stamped steel center section and the cast outer section can cause the sections to separate.
- Risk
- Separation of the rotor sections can cause loss ofbraking ability in the affected wheel. This could result in increased stoppingdistance and/or loss of vehicle control and an accident.
- Remedy
- Replace the front brake rotors with new rotors with a corrosion protection coating. However, if replacement of brake linings are necessary, it will be done at owner's expense since brake linings are normal maintenance items.
Recall number 93V119000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Blazer brake failure
Which Chevrolet Blazer years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1994 (148 complaints), 1995 (139 complaints) and 1996 (132 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix brake failure on the Chevrolet Blazer?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,500 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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