Last updated: 2026-07-17
Chevrolet Blazer vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Blazer
Toyota Grand Highlander
Choosing between the Chevrolet Blazer and the Toyota Grand Highlander? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Grand Highlander currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Blazer and Toyota Grand Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable than the Chevrolet Blazer, scoring 79/100 vs 76/100.
The Toyota Grand Highlander and Chevrolet Blazer both serve the midsize SUV segment, but the Grand Highlander edges out slightly in reliability with an average score of 85 compared to the Blazer's 82. While the Grand Highlander has a higher owner complaint rate of 8.2 per 10,000 sold, the Blazer's recall history is more extensive, with 19 recalls over eight years versus the Grand Highlander's 10 over three years. A significant advantage for the Blazer is its lower estimated annual repair cost of $521, providing potential savings for owners. Overall, the Grand Highlander's higher reliability score and fewer recalls per year make it a marginally more reliable choice despite the higher complaint rate.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Grand Highlander has 9 fewer total recalls
- 2Chevrolet Blazer has 6.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Toyota Grand Highlander scores 3 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Blazer vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Blazer | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 79/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 3 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 2.1 | 8.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Blazer and Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Toyota Grand Highlander and Chevrolet Blazer exhibit distinct problem profiles based on consumer complaints. The Grand Highlander shows a higher incidence of issues with its unknown or other category and power train, but fewer overall complaints than the Blazer. In contrast, the Blazer has significant concerns with its power train and electrical system, with both categories featuring crash-linked incidents. Notably, the Blazer also has a higher number of complaints related to steering and service brakes, with several linked to crashes, highlighting potential safety concerns that are less pronounced in the Grand Highlander.
| Component | Chevrolet Blazer | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 1.7Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 1.4Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 1.1Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| PARKING BRAKE | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Blazer or Toyota Grand Highlander?
How Does Chevrolet Blazer vs Toyota Grand Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Blazer | Toyota Grand Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 88/1000R / 0C | 88/1000R / 0C | Tie |
| 2025 | 77/1004R / 26C | 80/1003R / 33C | Toyota Grand Highlander |
| 2024 | 70/1006R / 99C | 69/1007R / 171C | Chevrolet Blazer |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer scored 88/100 and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander scored 88/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Blazer vs the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Chevrolet Blazer vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Blazer more reliable than the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Blazer or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- The Chevrolet Blazer has more recalls (19) compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander (10). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Blazer or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Blazer has a lower complaint rate at 2.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8.2 for the Toyota Grand Highlander. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Chevrolet Blazer or Toyota Grand Highlander safer?
- Both the Chevrolet Blazer and Toyota Grand Highlander received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Blazer comparisons
More Toyota Grand Highlander comparisons
Decided between Chevrolet Blazer and Toyota Grand Highlander? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue