Consumer Reports Blacklists 6 Chevy Models—America’s Bestselling SUV Ranked Dead Last

Consumer Reports just dropped its 2026 reliability rankings, and Chevrolet owners won’t like what they found. After surveying more than 350,000 vehicles, the nonprofit watchdog placed six Chevy models on its official list of 42 used cars to avoid. The blacklisted vehicles span electric cars, midsize trucks, and full-size family SUVs—revealing a quality crisis that cuts across GM’s entire lineup in ways few buyers anticipated.

The Bestseller Nobody Should Trust

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox moved approximately 300,000 units last year, making it one of Chevy’s bestselling vehicles. Yet Consumer Reports ranked it dead last among 20 compact SUVs evaluated. The model accumulated 150 NHTSA complaints, with transmission issues and electrical system problems accounting for roughly one-third of reports. Buyers who assumed popularity meant reliability purchased the worst-in-class vehicle without knowing it.

23 Fault Codes in 2,000 Miles

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV earned a reliability score of just 19 out of 100—nearly identical to the Rivian R1T’s 18, the worst in the industry. Edmunds diagnostic testing revealed 23 fault codes after fewer than 2,000 miles of driving. GM issued a stop-sale order in December 2023, weeks after launch. As one analysis noted, the Blazer EV “launched with promising hardware but shaky software.”

A Battery Fire Risk That Engulfed an Entire Generation

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt landed on the blacklist after being swept into high-voltage battery fire risk recalls covering every 2017–2022 Bolt model produced. The recall campaign was one of GM’s most extensive, affecting the vehicle’s core energy storage system. Consumer Reports flagged the model’s reliability history as a cautionary tale for used EV buyers seeking bargain-priced electric vehicles on the secondhand market.

EVs Are Failing at an Alarming Rate Industry-Wide

The Blazer EV and Bolt aren’t isolated cases. Consumer Reports survey data have shown that electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids experience approximately 80 percent more problems than traditional internal combustion engines on average. Seven of the 10 least reliable cars in 2026 are electrified models. The data suggest the entire industry is scaling electrification faster than manufacturers can deliver reliable products—and GM sits at the center of that crisis.

Highway Wheel Lockup in America’s Family SUV

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe made the avoid list due to its troubled reliability record. Separately, General Motors recalled 43,732 full-size SUVs from the 2022 model year over a transmission control valve susceptible to excessive wear. According to NHTSA documents, the defect can cause fluid leaks, pressure loss, and rear wheel lockup—particularly during downshifts from eighth gear at highway speeds. “The rear wheels could lock up, increasing the risk of a crash.”

419 Complaints and Counting for the Suburban

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, part of the same all-new generation as the Tahoe, accumulated 419 NHTSA complaints. Engine and transmission issues dominate, accounting for roughly half of all reports. The redesigned generation was expected to improve on its predecessor—instead, it introduced new failure modes. A similar 2022-model-year transmission recall also affects the Suburban, compounding an already troubled reliability record for buyers of GM’s flagship family hauler.

The Midsize Truck That Can’t Keep Up

The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado rounds out the blacklist after its reliability rating plunged to poor, ranking fifth among just six trucks evaluated by Consumer Reports. The organization points to 4WD system, differential, and transfer case problems as common trouble areas. For buyers considering alternatives, Consumer Reports recommends the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier as more dependable options—a stinging contrast for a nameplate that once defined the midsize truck segment.

Blazer EV Owners Trapped in a Recall Loop

Beyond its abysmal reliability score, the 2024 Blazer EV faces a cascade of unresolved defects. Over 42,000 units were recalled for parking brake wiring harness damage. Another recall affected approximately 40,000 vehicles that couldn’t shift out of park. Then in February 2026, GM issued a follow-up chassis harness recall for vehicles that received incorrect parts during the first repair—meaning the initial fix itself failed.

A Company-Wide Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight

Six blacklisted models spanning electric vehicles, trucks, and SUVs reveal something larger than isolated defects. GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission failures stretch from the Tahoe to the Escalade. Its Ultium EV platform shipped with unfinished software. Its bestselling compact SUV ranks worst in class. Consumer Reports isn’t flagging bad luck—it’s documenting a systemic quality breakdown across an entire American automaker’s portfolio, affecting hundreds of thousands of buyers nationwide.

Sources:
“42 Used Cars to Avoid Buying” — Consumer Reports
“10 Least Reliable Cars of 2026” — Consumer Reports
“Our Chevy Blazer EV Has 23 Problems After Only 2 Months” — Edmunds
“GM Recalls 44K Full-Size SUVs Because the Rear Wheels Could Lock Up” — Car and Driver
“Consumer Alert: GM Expands Recall, All Chevrolet Bolt Vehicles Now Recalled” — NHTSA
“Electric Vehicles Are Improving, but Charging and Battery Issues Remain” — Consumer Reports