NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
149 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 22, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
MOST OF THE PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST ONCE. *PH MOST OF THE PROBLEMS HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND HAVE RECURRED. THE A/C SEAL LEAKED AND NEEDED A PUMP. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE IDLER PULLEY, OIL FILTER LINES, CRANK SHAFT,DOOR HINGES, POWER STEERING, THROTTLE…
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MOST OF THE PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST ONCE. *PH MOST OF THE PROBLEMS HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND HAVE RECURRED. THE A/C SEAL LEAKED AND NEEDED A PUMP. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE IDLER PULLEY, OIL FILTER LINES, CRANK SHAFT,DOOR HINGES, POWER STEERING, THROTTLE POSITIONER SENSOR 2, LEFT FRONT AXLE SEAL, AND THE DIFFERENTIAL SIDE COVERS. *SC *MR *JB
NHTSA ODI #10057277
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE COOLANT AT 50,000 MILES TURNED TO A MUDDY SUBSTANCE. 1 YR LATER AND 30,000 MILES IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEALER DID A POWER FLUSH AT THE 50,000 AND GM COVERED 2/3RDS OF BILL NOW I AM TOLD I MUST CHANGE HEATER CORE AND POWER FLUSH AGAIN AT A COST OF OVER $800. . GM WILL NOT COVER ANY EXPENSE. IT IS SAID THAT MY ANTI FR…
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ENGINE COOLANT AT 50,000 MILES TURNED TO A MUDDY SUBSTANCE. 1 YR LATER AND 30,000 MILES IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEALER DID A POWER FLUSH AT THE 50,000 AND GM COVERED 2/3RDS OF BILL NOW I AM TOLD I MUST CHANGE HEATER CORE AND POWER FLUSH AGAIN AT A COST OF OVER $800. . GM WILL NOT COVER ANY EXPENSE. IT IS SAID THAT MY ANTI FREEZE SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES ,AS YOU CAN SEE IT DID NOT LAST 50,000 MILES. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10054400
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
OUR BLAZER STARTED OVER HEATING, WE HAD IT FLUSHED DUE TO A MUD LOOKING SLUGE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AND A NEW THERMOSTAT PUT IN. ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT STARTED OVER HEATING AGAIN. WE AGAIN HAD IT FLUSHED AND ANOTHER NEW THERMOSTAT PUT IN. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT AGAIN OVER HEATED WE HAD IT TOWED IN AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS TIME IT H…
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OUR BLAZER STARTED OVER HEATING, WE HAD IT FLUSHED DUE TO A MUD LOOKING SLUGE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AND A NEW THERMOSTAT PUT IN. ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT STARTED OVER HEATING AGAIN. WE AGAIN HAD IT FLUSHED AND ANOTHER NEW THERMOSTAT PUT IN. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT AGAIN OVER HEATED WE HAD IT TOWED IN AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS TIME IT HAD CAUSED THE MOTOR TO BLOW. WE CONTACTED GM THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROUBLEM IT WAS DEXCOOL, WE CONTACTED DEXCOOL AND THEY SAID IT WAS GM'S PROUBLEM. WE GOT THE RUN AROUND SO WE CONTACTED THE ATTY GENERALS OFFICE AND FILLED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM.
NHTSA ODI #10069868
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE OIL COOLANT LINES ON MY 1996 S-10 BLAZER 5 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE AUTO. I PURCHEASED IT IN 1998. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEN, AND THE FIRST TIME THEY DID THE WORK FREE OF CHARGE. SINCE THEN, EVERY 12-18 MONTHS I FIND OIL DRIPPING IN MY GARAGE, AND I AM TOLD IT IS THESE LINES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD …
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I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE OIL COOLANT LINES ON MY 1996 S-10 BLAZER 5 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE AUTO. I PURCHEASED IT IN 1998. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEN, AND THE FIRST TIME THEY DID THE WORK FREE OF CHARGE. SINCE THEN, EVERY 12-18 MONTHS I FIND OIL DRIPPING IN MY GARAGE, AND I AM TOLD IT IS THESE LINES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. CAN'T ANYTHING BE DONE!!
NHTSA ODI #10051388
52,535 miles · Nov 20, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER WITH LESS THAN 53,000 MILES HAS NO HEAT AND STARTED OVERHEATING. I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEXCOOL THAT WAS GUARANTEED FOR 100,000 MILES HAD FAILED. THE RADIATOR WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKED AND THE HEATER CORE WAS BLOCKED. BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE HEATER CORE NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAU…
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MY 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER WITH LESS THAN 53,000 MILES HAS NO HEAT AND STARTED OVERHEATING. I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEXCOOL THAT WAS GUARANTEED FOR 100,000 MILES HAD FAILED. THE RADIATOR WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKED AND THE HEATER CORE WAS BLOCKED. BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE HEATER CORE NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SLUDGE AND RUST THAT WAS IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047224
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT MIDDLE RIDGE SERVICE PLAZA AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE CONSISTED OF HOSES, WIRES AND INSULATION UNDER HOOD. CONSUMER HAD NO RECENT ENGINE PROBLEMS. *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10047821
48,000 miles · Sep 26, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
REPLACED HEAD GASKETS AT 48K AND AGAIN AT 80K. EITHER DEXCOOL EATS THE GASKETS, OR THE GASKETS GO BAD AND LET AIR INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES THE DEXCOOL TO GO BAD. I READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT DEXCOOL, HEAD GASKETS, AND 1996 BLAZERS. THERE MUST BE A CONNECTION.
NHTSA ODI #10039587
50,000 miles · Sep 17, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
I HAVE A 96 CHEVY BLAZER WITH COOLING PROBLEMS. I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP 2 TIMES IN THE LAST YR. THE RADIATOR NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED AND CLEAN ABOUT EVERY 2 MONTHS DUE TO SLUGGED AND RUST BUILD UP. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINTS BREAK ON ME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10039038
34,000 miles · Jun 19, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO BAD ANTI-FREEZE GENERAL MOTORS USED IN THE VEHICLE OF THIS VINTAGE. THEY CHARGED ME TO HAVE THE SYSTEM FLUSHED OUT BECAUSE THE ANTI-FREEZE WOULD CLOG THE HEATER COILS. NO HEATER IN WINTER. PREVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE WAS OVER HEATED AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED …
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1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO BAD ANTI-FREEZE GENERAL MOTORS USED IN THE VEHICLE OF THIS VINTAGE. THEY CHARGED ME TO HAVE THE SYSTEM FLUSHED OUT BECAUSE THE ANTI-FREEZE WOULD CLOG THE HEATER COILS. NO HEATER IN WINTER. PREVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE WAS OVER HEATED AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP PLUS SEALS AND HEAD GASKET DUE TO THE ENGINE RUNNING TOO HOT. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I'M RETURNING IT AND NOW THEY WANT ME REPAIR OR REPLACE THE RADIATOR. IT IS STILL RUNNING HOT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM TALKING TO THE MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR VEHICLE OF THIS VINTAGE AND IT TOOK A COUPLE OF YEARS FOR GM TO CHANGE ANTI-FREEZE MANUFACTURERS. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023401
87,734 miles · May 25, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
DEALER REPLACED HEATER CORE DUE TO LEAK AND FOUND SLUDGE IN COOLING SYSTEM (DEX COOL). HEATER CORE REPLACED AND SYSTEM FLUSHED 4 TIMES. HEATER CORE REPLACED AGAIN ON 1/19/03, WATER PUMP REPLACED IN 2/03. RADIATOR HAS LARGE LEAK 5/22/03. SLUDGE VISIBLE IN RADIATOR AND OVERFLOW BOTTLE. DEALER/GM INDICATES PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE …
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DEALER REPLACED HEATER CORE DUE TO LEAK AND FOUND SLUDGE IN COOLING SYSTEM (DEX COOL). HEATER CORE REPLACED AND SYSTEM FLUSHED 4 TIMES. HEATER CORE REPLACED AGAIN ON 1/19/03, WATER PUMP REPLACED IN 2/03. RADIATOR HAS LARGE LEAK 5/22/03. SLUDGE VISIBLE IN RADIATOR AND OVERFLOW BOTTLE. DEALER/GM INDICATES PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE BUILD UP CAUSED BY OWNER NOT MAINTAINING SYSTEM. HEAD GASKET REPLACED IN 2001 AND WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD IN 2001 (BAD SOLDER JOINT) - GM INDICATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM NOT ASSOCIATED WITH VIN NUMBER. ALL COSTS OUT OF POCKET. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019254
Official recalls
6Apr 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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