Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 40 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports7 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
40 reports
85,000 miles · Mar 17, 2009
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT FOUND HIS VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN THE PARKING LOT OF A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER. HE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE JUST MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRE BEGAN AND DETERMINED THAT IT WA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT FOUND HIS VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN THE PARKING LOT OF A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER. HE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE JUST MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRE BEGAN AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OR WIRING. THEY WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10262148
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2003
Tires
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AND CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10049832
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM THE DASH AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT #10-91-526) *YH
NHTSA ODI #567661
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2001
Seat Belts
I'VE TRIED EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE POSSIBLE TO GET SEAT BELTS TO WORK INCLUDING A FAST DEAD STOP, TURNING CORNERS AND YANKING EXTREMELY FAST AND AT A DEAD STOP. YOU CAN YANK THESE BELTS EXCEPTIONALLY FAST AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL THEY WORK.
NHTSA ODI #9004704
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2001
Seats
FRONT BUCKET SEAT BACKS CAN MOVE FOWARD WITHOUT HAVING TO LIFT LATCH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #883473
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2000
Tires
BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN T/A TIRES 32-11.50-R15 DOT BEYK8L1228 EXPERIENCED INNER SIDEWALL SEPARATION, 3 OUT OF 4 TIRES EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #874037
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2000
Power TrainFire
ENGINE FIRE DUE TO FLUID LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
NHTSA ODI #550266
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH DUE TO FUEL INJECTION FAILURE. YH
NHTSA ODI #784395
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 1999
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #715452
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
DRIVING ON ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH ALL OF SUDDEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOT UP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULDN'T MOVE. PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED T A MECHANIC SHOP. REPLACED POWER STEERING BRACKET.
SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE89024 · Steering Damper Separation
Opened Dec 14, 1988 · Closed Feb 27, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
1988 Chevrolet Blazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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