IllustrationSERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER CAME APART.
1996 Chevrolet Blazer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Blazer years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 32.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Blazer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 105 of 1,153 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 420 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 182 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 149 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
156 crash reports31 fire reports77 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
149 reportsI HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND GET NEW ROTORS AFTER 30,000 MILES. BRAKES ARE VERY LOOSE, TAKES A LOT OF PRESSURE TO GET THEM TO STOP. DEALER SAID MY BRAKES WERE WORN OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED JUST 15K MILES AFTER THE FIRST SERVICE. ANTI-LOCK FEATURE KICKS IN WHEN I DRIVE OVER POTHOLES OR ICE, AND DID NOT USE THE BR…
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I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND GET NEW ROTORS AFTER 30,000 MILES. BRAKES ARE VERY LOOSE, TAKES A LOT OF PRESSURE TO GET THEM TO STOP. DEALER SAID MY BRAKES WERE WORN OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED JUST 15K MILES AFTER THE FIRST SERVICE. ANTI-LOCK FEATURE KICKS IN WHEN I DRIVE OVER POTHOLES OR ICE, AND DID NOT USE THE BRAKES. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM. WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR. DEALER SAID MOTOR HAD SHORTED OUT, BUT THE PROBLEM STARTED TO OCCUR AGAIN. WHEN THE WIPERS STOP AND LATER START, AFTER MANIPULATING THE CONTROLS, THE OVERHEAD DIGITAL TEMPERATURE GUAGE TURNS OFF AND ON. POWER WINDOW STUCK IN DOWN POSITION. HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THESE THREE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (WIPER, WINDOW, DIGITAL GUAGE) SEEM RELATED AS THEY ALL CAUSE A BATTERY DRAIN AS INDICATED THROUGH THE VOLT METER. BATTERY WENT DEAD AFTER 6 HOUR ROAD TRIP. APPROX 50K MILES ON VEHICLE AT TIME. HAD BEEN RUNNING THE A/C THE WHOLE TIME, WHICH SEEMED TO DRAIN BATTERY. *AK
ON APRIL 14, 1997, (18,9113 MILES) VEHICLE HAD FRONT CALIPERS REBUILT AND NEW PADS AND ROTORS INSTALLED. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 1997,(27,585 MILES) BELT TENSIONER AND BELT WERE REPLACED. ON OCTOBER 23, 1997, (29,2116 MILES) FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. ON NOVEMBER 11, 1997, (30,216 MILES) SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. CODE PO442 FOUND.…
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ON APRIL 14, 1997, (18,9113 MILES) VEHICLE HAD FRONT CALIPERS REBUILT AND NEW PADS AND ROTORS INSTALLED. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 1997,(27,585 MILES) BELT TENSIONER AND BELT WERE REPLACED. ON OCTOBER 23, 1997, (29,2116 MILES) FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. ON NOVEMBER 11, 1997, (30,216 MILES) SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. CODE PO442 FOUND. VACUUM LINE OFF PULSE VALVE THEY SAID. ON JANUARY 13, 1998, (34,102 MILES) SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. CODE P1870 FOR TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. CLEARED CODE, THAT WAS ALL. ON FEBRUARY 16, 1998, (35,514 MILES) SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON, AND FRONT BRAKES SQUEELING , FOUND CODE P1870. FOUND WATER IN CONNECTOR ON TRANSMISSION. REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND TURNED ROTORS. DEALER STATED THAT NO FURTHER BRAKE WORK WOULD BE DONE ON WARRANTY. FEBRUARY 24, 1998 (36,059 MILES) SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, FRONT BRAKE SQUEELING. TRANSMISSION LEVEL LOW THEY SAID, AND ADVISED BRAKED PERFORMING AS DESIGNED AT THIS TIME. MARCH 5, 1998, (36,562 MILES) SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. FOUND CODE P1870. REPLACED TRANSMISSION TCC PULSE SOLENOID. MARCH 18, 1998, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN, DEALER REFUSED TO WORK ON IT. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND HAS REMAINED UNMOVED SINCE.
ANTI-FREEZE USED IN ENGINE TURNS TO A SOLID JELL. IT WILL NOT CIRCULATE THROUGH THE LINES. IT'S A 100,000 MILES ANTI-FREEZE & IT BURNED THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WOULD STILL RUN, BUT THE FLUID IS RUSTY. ALSO, TRANSMISSION IS BURNED . TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED. *AK
THE ALTENATOR WENT OUT AND THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR HAD GOTTEN DIM. ALSO, DEALER SAYS THE BELT TENSIONER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
CAR HAD NO HEAT BROUGHT TO DEALER SAID SYS WAS ALL CLOGGED UP AND WAS DUE TO SOMEONE PUTTING IN FOREIGN SUBSTANCE BUT WAS NOT CASE ANTI FREEZE FAILED I'VE HEARD 5000 CARS HAD SAME COMPLAINT BUT GM NOT RESPONDING TO MINE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS DEX COOL PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF U HAVE ANY INFO ON THIS SITUATION
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY STALLING.
RADIATOR DIP STICK AND TUBING IS RUSTING OUT, AND CAUSING RUST TO GO INTO THE RADIATOR. DEALER CONTACTED, THERE IS NO RECALL AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE BLAZER DIES. THE BLAZER HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 5 OR 6 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE EGR VALVE WAS CLEANED ONCE AND CHANGED. THE COMPUTER REPLACED TWICE, AND A NEW COIL WIRE REPLACED. CONSUMER STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH BLAZER. *AK
ENGINE STALLED FIVE TIMES W/OUT WARNING, ON ONE OCCASION ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.
Official recalls
603V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Apr 28, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
01V200000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
Jun 28, 2001
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
99V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jul 19, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jul 1, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
97V096001 · Seat Belts
Jun 12, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
96V234000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Nov 14, 1996
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING DEVELOPMENT TESTING, THE PROP SHAFT CONTACTED THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.
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
7EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
EA99022 · Upper And Lower Control Arm Ball Joint
Opened Jul 30, 1999 · Closed Aug 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
RQ99015 · Front Seat Recliner Bolt Failure
Opened Jul 14, 1999 · Closed Dec 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
No summary supplied.
PE99021 · Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Breakage
Opened Mar 5, 1999 · Closed Jul 30, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILS, RESULTING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSING ON THE FAILED SIDE.
EA97007 · Steering Shaft Separations
Opened Apr 17, 1997 · Closed Mar 12, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
COUPLING BOLTS, JOINING THE STEERING SHAFT, MAY SEPARATE.IN SOME CASES, TOTAL UNFORESEEN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY RESULT.
EA97004 · Seat Belt Webbing Separation
Opened Feb 28, 1997 · Closed Aug 5, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
EA94038 · Abs Braking System
Opened Oct 31, 1994 · Closed Feb 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.