The New Chevy Blazer EV Has Stumbled Twice in Recent Tests - Hard
General Motors’ fortunes are tied heavily to its new Ultium EV technology. It underpins several existing and upcoming models and is the basis of the automaker’s EV efforts, costing billions of dollars and years of development. A few Ultium-based models have already gone on sale without too many issues, including the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq, but the most recent release hasn’t gone so smoothly. The Chevrolet Blazer EV has recently failed in two high-profile tests by automotive publications, raising questions about its electrical system and software.
Kevin Williams at InsideEVs experienced several issues on his road trip from Ohio to North Carolina, leaving him stranded at a rural charging station. Now, Edmunds is reporting a similar experience, with its almost-new long-term Blazer EV test vehicle recording dozens of errors and weeks in the dealer repair department.
While Williams’ road trip ended with a stranded journalist and a vehicle that couldn’t complete its intended journey, Edmunds’ at least ended in its home area in Southern California. The publication saw eight warning lights during its trip between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Unlike Williams, Edmunds got a 12-volt system error, but both experienced issues charging. Both experiences also unraveled over a short period, but Edmunds recorded 23 issues requiring fixes. The publication sent its SUV to the dealer, where it’s been for more than two weeks so far, requiring support from a GM technician and surrounding stores.
The list of faults is long and won’t be all that interesting for many readers, but there are a few issues to address. The body and drive motor control modules malfunctioned, leaving “lost communication” messages with some windows, while the head-up display experienced a “general electrical malfunction.”
To be fair, this is not only a brand-new vehicle but a brand-new vehicle in a somewhat untested format for GM. People often advise against buying first-generation mobile phones and electronic devices because of the complexity involved with developing an all-new product, so, hopefully, General Motors and Chevy can address these issues with an over-the-air software update to smooth the landing a bit.
[Image: Chevrolet]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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- The Comedian My owned-for-just-13-months 2022 GTI had the same problem (similar UX OS).It was still broken after it was repaired under a recall. One of the several reasons I sold it back to the dealer. Not officially lemon-lawed, but I didn’t lose much on that one - Other than a headache.
- Fed65767768 Jesus Christ, just no. That decrepit Astro from yesterday somehow might be a better buy if I had a gun to my head.
- Tassos Jong-iL This once proud brand, styling itself "Standard of the World" has fallen so hard since the CTS of any generation it is quite sad.
- Adam4562 It’s not bad looking , I’m trying hard to like an electric car future . It’s just not exciting. If Cadillac said we are working on a future hybrid sedan with manual transmissions . A next gen blackwing. I hope this all electric future by 2030 blows up in there face and it probably will.
- EBFlex None. EVs are the Covid of the automotive world
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This is just in. GM is delaying the Blazer EV due to software issues. We probably won't see the Blazer EV in showrooms until the spring. GM is making Tesla look like Toyota when it comes to reliability. Toyota is getting the last laugh at GM's expense.
Read the new release below.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/gm-stops-selling-the-chevy-blazer-ev-to-deal-with-software-quality-issues/ar-AA1lWUOK
Nice looking car, too bad. They should have held it back longer and worked all the bugs out. It looks so good I would actually consider one, but...