What is the best year for a Chevrolet Blazer?

The 2022 and 2023 Blazer are the standout used picks — 39 and 35 complaints respectively, both with 10/10 NHTSA safety scores and only 4 severe issues each. After a rougher launch window in 2019-2020 (181 and 204 complaints), the Blazer stabilized quickly. The 2022-2025 window is consistently clean.

How much does Chevrolet Blazer insurance cost?

Blazer insurance averages around $2,570/year — roughly $214/month. On the higher end for midsize SUVs, despite favorable maintenance costs.

Is the Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Edge cheaper to maintain?

The Blazer is cheaper to maintain by $90/year — $521 versus $611 for the Ford Edge. The Blazer also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (11% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 33%). The Blazer is the better value across all maintenance metrics.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Blazer?

Major repair probability of 11% and repair frequency of 28% are both well below the midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't warranted for most buyers — the data supports self-insuring.

Is the Chevrolet Traverse expensive to maintain?

The Traverse costs $656/year to maintain — $83 above the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 43% is slightly above the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 6 is below the segment average of 7, and major repair probability of 18% is well above the 13% norm. It trails the three-row class average on most ownership-cost metrics.

What is the best year for a Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2021 (85 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2023 (75 complaints, 8/10 safety, 7 severe) Traverse are the cleanest years on record. Avoid the pre-2021 era, where complaint counts exceeded 200 every year from 2010 through 2020. Note that 2024-2025 ticked back up to 121 and 164 complaints — the improvement wasn't fully sustained. The 2021-2023 window is the safest range for used buying.

How much does Chevrolet Traverse insurance cost?

Traverse insurance averages around $2,393/year — roughly $199/month.

Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Ford Explorer cheaper to maintain?

The Traverse is cheaper to maintain by $76/year — $656 versus $732 for the Ford Explorer. However, the Explorer has a higher reliability score (7 vs. 6), lower major repair probability (14% vs. 18%), and significantly lower repair frequency (24% vs. 43%). On total maintenance value beyond annual dollar cost, the Explorer holds a meaningful edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Traverse?

Major repair probability of 18% is the second-highest in the three-row segment, and reliability score of 6 is below the class average. Extended warranty is worth considering for most used Traverse models, particularly any purchased from the 2010-2020 era of consistently elevated complaints.

Chevrolet Blazer vs Chevrolet Traverse

Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Blazer — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the Chevrolet Traverse if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Blazer	Chevrolet Traverse
Annual maintenance	$521winner	$656
5-year total cost	$2,605winner	$3,280
Reliability score	8 / 10winner	6 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%winner	18%
Cargo space	—	97.6 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$37,095winner	$42,300
Best years to buy	—	2013, 2021

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Blazer	Chevrolet Traverse
RepairPal score	8 / 10winner	6 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	135.2winner	257.3
Years to avoid	2019, 2020, 2021	2018, 2019, 2025
Value retained · 3 yr	71.6%	73.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	52.8%winner	51.7%
Value retained · 7 yr	40.5%winner	37.6%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Blazer	Chevrolet Traverse
Engine	24.3%	19.9%winner
Electrical	15.8%	8.1%winner
ADAS	9.0%	8.3%winner
Brakes	6.7%	4.5%winner
Suspension	1.1%	—winner
Steering	7.7%winner	11.9%
Fuel system	2.3%	2.0%winner
Tires/Wheels	3.8%	1.4%winner
Glass/Windows	0.8%winner	1.1%
Airbags	1.5%winner	20.3%
Seatbelt	—winner	2.4%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Chevrolet Blazer	Chevrolet Traverse
Avg annual premium	$2,570	$2,393winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Blazer

$521/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Chevrolet Traverse

$656/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Blazer costs $521/year to maintain — $52 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 28% is well below the class average of 40%, and major repair probability of 11% is well below the 13% norm. Combined with a reliability score of 8 above the class average of 7, it's one of the stronger ownership-cost profiles in the midsize segment.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →