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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 →

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 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, CONSUMER PUT ON BRAKES AND FELT ABS KICKING IN, BUT THERE WAS A DELAY IN STOPPING, CONSUMER HAS ALSO BEEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING AN EXCESSIVE BRAKE SQUEAK, DEALER HAD REPLACED BRAKE PADS TWICE AND ROTORS ONCE. RIGHT REAR DOOR WON'T ALWAYS UNLOCK FROM INSIDE, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM, PINS AT DRIVER'S…

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WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, CONSUMER PUT ON BRAKES AND FELT ABS KICKING IN, BUT THERE WAS A DELAY IN STOPPING, CONSUMER HAS ALSO BEEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING AN EXCESSIVE BRAKE SQUEAK, DEALER HAD REPLACED BRAKE PADS TWICE AND ROTORS ONCE. RIGHT REAR DOOR WON'T ALWAYS UNLOCK FROM INSIDE, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM, PINS AT DRIVER'S DOOR HINGES RUSTED. THE SEAL AROUND RIGHT REAR WINDOW HOLDS WATER AFTER RAIN. REAR PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT FOLD DOWN, DEALER FOUND CABLE BINDING UP. WATER COLLECTS IN REAR LIGHT LENSE WHEN WASHING VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED TAILLIGHT LENSE, CENTER HIGH MOUNT LENSE COLLECTS MOISTURE, DEALER REPLACED 3RD LIGHT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER FLUSHED RADIATOR AND 12 MONTHS LATER IT NEEDED FLUSHED AGAIN, DEALER PERFORMED, CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE FIRST FLUSH DOWN AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #876082

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND IDLER PULLEY/SERPENTINE BELTS WERE REPLACED. THEN, STEERING LOCKED UP, AND BRAKES FAILED, CONSUMER STATED THAT RECALL 98V193000 CONCERNING ABS BRAKES WAS NEVER DONE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #875139

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736368

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

AIR CONDITIONER STARTS BLOWING COLD, WHEN IDLE ENGINE OVERHEATS AND AIR COND. BLOWS HOT...WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 2000RPM CONSTANTLY, ENGINE COOLS AND AIR COND. BLOWS COLD.

NHTSA ODI #734890

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED DO TO THE DEXY COOL COOLANT USED IN THE ENGINE. IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE GOOD UP TO 100,000 MILES. THE COOLANT JELLED AT 84,605 CAUSING THE HEATER CORE AND THE RADIATOR TO BECOME RUSTED AND CLOGGED. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE REPAIR TO COST 1795.00

NHTSA ODI #733432

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

HEATER FAILURE; HEATER/DEFROSTER BLOWS COLD AIR; THERMOSTAT, SENSOR, AND CONNECTOR REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT; HOSES AND COOLANT LEVELS TESTED OK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #732592

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO HEAT IN VEHICLE; WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD BE DUE TO FAULTY DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE. GM HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE. NO HEAT MEANS FOGGED WINDOWS IN THE WINTER AND IN THE RAIN. FLUSHED THE RADIATOR AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY CLOGGED WITH THE DEFECTIVE, BROKEN DOWN ANTIFREEZE IN THE FORM O…

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NO HEAT IN VEHICLE; WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD BE DUE TO FAULTY DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE. GM HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE. NO HEAT MEANS FOGGED WINDOWS IN THE WINTER AND IN THE RAIN. FLUSHED THE RADIATOR AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY CLOGGED WITH THE DEFECTIVE, BROKEN DOWN ANTIFREEZE IN THE FORM OF THICK BROWN SLUDGE.

NHTSA ODI #732415

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THEY TURN OFF AND ON . DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, PULLEY BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #869937

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE COOLANT HAS TURNED INTO MUD. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #868129

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

IT IS A PROBLEM WITH PINK COOLAND IN 9 MONTHS IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #726574

Official recalls

6

03V159000 · 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

7

EA02006 · 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.