2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Brake Recall (20V588)

Recall 20V588 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer in recall 20V588?

Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 Trailblazer with recall 20V588?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Trailblazer shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the service brakes, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 20V588?

Recall 20V588 covers 3,677 vehicles: 2021 Buick Encore GX; 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

NHTSA lists 3,677 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Trailblazer brake recall?

Yes. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.

When was recall 20V588 announced?

General Motors, LLC reported recall 20V588 to NHTSA on September 24, 2020.

This recall was filed 73 months ago. If your Trailblazer was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Trailblazer is part of recall 20V588?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 20V588 is open on your Trailblazer, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 20V588000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should Trailblazer owners do about recall 20V588?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 20V588000 applies to your Trailblazer.
2. Call a Chevrolet dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the service brakes happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are Trailblazer owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 246 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 39 of them about the brakes.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 246 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 39 of them involve the brakes. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer: 193 complaints in total, 31 about the brakes
• 2021 Buick Encore GX: 53 complaints in total, 8 about the brakes

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

A loud popping noise heard through the radio when light pressure applied to brakes. Noise loud enough to scare the hell out of all the occupants in the car. Brakes squeaked when car was in reverse. Tried to slow down on wet pavement. Car started to veer to the right.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer owner, OH, NHTSA complaint 11643617, filed February 19, 2025

Getting error message for shift to park not found when vehicle is in park. Chevy already has a recall for this but my vin is not one showing it is affected. Vehicle is at the dealer now for diagnosis and repair.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11658663, filed May 3, 2025

While driving, a service warning came on that reads "Service Power Steering" – when that came on, the brakes ceased to work properly and required significant force, causing a big delay in braking. It is not safe to drive due to the limited braking.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer owner, MN, NHTSA complaint 11685359, filed September 5, 2025

Can recall 20V588 make my Trailblazer a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this service brakes recall means their Trailblazer qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

If the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer brakes have needed more than one trip to the dealer, keep every repair order. Brake defects are treated as serious safety problems under California law.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 20V588