IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
420 reportsBRAKES HAVE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ACCIDENT ON ONE OCCASIONS DUE TO FAILURE. *MJS
WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE RECALLED IN DECEMBER, 1999. *AK
ERRATIC PERFORMANCE OF ABS HAS CAUSED CONSUMER TO DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE WHICH IN TIME, HAS AFFECTED TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT TOOK 45 DAYS FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED, AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR MOST OF THE COSTLY REPAIRS. CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED. *AK *ML
ON JULY 18, 1999 I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED BRAKES AND A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER AREA. VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO BRAEGER CHEVROLET ON JULY 19, 1999 AND CAUSE WAS REPORTED AS "INTERNAL VACUUM LEAKAGE FROM BOOSTER ASSY H1220 BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, VACUUM POWER BRAKE - REPLACE 510 WPT4 1.90, 1 18029999 …
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ON JULY 18, 1999 I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED BRAKES AND A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER AREA. VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO BRAEGER CHEVROLET ON JULY 19, 1999 AND CAUSE WAS REPORTED AS "INTERNAL VACUUM LEAKAGE FROM BOOSTER ASSY H1220 BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, VACUUM POWER BRAKE - REPLACE 510 WPT4 1.90, 1 18029999 BOOSTER, FC: 2K, PART#: 18029999". I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY COVERED 50% ONE TIME GOOD WILL/ SAFETY ITEM. MY COST $170.99. ON AUGUST 17, 1999 I DISCOVERED A LEAK FROM THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WHICH HAD BEEN LEAKING SMALL QUANITIES OF LIQUID FOR APPROXIMATELY A TWO MONTH PERIOD OF TIME ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, PROGRESSIVELY BECOMING A WORSE LEAK BASED ON THE QUANITY OF FLUID FOUND ON FLOOR. NEW BATTERY WAS PURCHASED ON 08/21/99 AND INSTALLED BY MYSELF, NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH LEAKAGE. MAJOR CONCERN FOLLOWS: ON NOV 30, 1999 I OBSERVED A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT DISC BRAKES AND PADS. ON DEC 01, 2000 I DELIVERED MY VEHICLE FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION AND CAUSE WAS REPORTED AS "PREMATURE WEAR TO RIGHT FRONT DISC BRAKES AND PADS ONLY". BRAKES WERE SERVICED BY MACHINING ROTORS AND INSTALLING NEW PADS, AND I WAS INSTUCTED TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT DISC BRAKES AND PADS IN THE FUTURE REFERENCE THE SAME PROBLEM REOCCURRING AND IF THIS OCCURES MAJOR FRONT BRAKE WORK WOULD BE NECESSARY. IN CONCLUSION, I FEEL THE PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR TO THE RIGHT FRONT ONLY WAS CAUSED BY THE BATTERY LEAKAGE WHICH ALSO WAS LOCATED AT THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. THANK YOU. *AK
VEHICLE SAT FOR 24HOURS, AND BATTERY WILLNOT START VEHICLE. ALSO, BRAKES HAVE TO BE REPLACED AFTER 10 MONTHS DUE TO WEAR. *AK
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS, THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (99I006), HOWEVER THE CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *SLC
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON MAY 6, 1999. I HAD A VEHICLE PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME GOING ABOUT 65 MPH. I ENDED UP T- BONING HIM ON HIS DRIVER SIDE. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, MY SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD ME IN POSITION TO WHERE I HIT THE REARVEIW MIRROR WITH MY FOREHEAD AND BROKE IT. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS WET BECAUSE IT HAD RAINE…
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I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON MAY 6, 1999. I HAD A VEHICLE PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME GOING ABOUT 65 MPH. I ENDED UP T- BONING HIM ON HIS DRIVER SIDE. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, MY SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD ME IN POSITION TO WHERE I HIT THE REARVEIW MIRROR WITH MY FOREHEAD AND BROKE IT. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS WET BECAUSE IT HAD RAINED EARLIER. THE BOY IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AN OLDER MODEL S-10 BLAZER THE IMPACT THROW HIM TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. HE SUBSTAINED MINOR INJURIES WHILE AM SUFFERING FROM SEVERE WHIPLASH, BACK-ACHES, HEAD-ACHES AND NUMBNESS. I STRONGLY FEEL WITH THE IMPACT I TOOK THE AIR BAG SHOULD"VE DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELT SHOULD"VE HELD ME IN PLACE AND BRAKES WOULD"VE SLOWED ME DOWN SOONER. IN THE POLICE REPORT IT IS MARKED NO FOR SAFETY DEVICE ON BUT IT WAS ON BECAUSE I REMEMBER HAVING TO REACH MY CELL PHONE TO CALL FOR HELPBUT AT THAT TIME IT HAD LOCKED ME IN AND I HAD TO RELEASE THE LEVER TO MOVE TO WHERE THE CELL PHONE HAD FALLING. I CALLED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TALKED TO DAN MACK WHO INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT. HE SAID HE AGREED WITH ME BECAUSE I WOULD"VE SUBSTAINED MORE INJURIES. AS OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE POLICE REPORT WAS NEVER CHANGED. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICES. *AK
BRAKES FAILED RESUOLTING IN AN ACCIDENT. NLM
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET. I TOOK THE BLAZER TO CENTURY CHEVROLET IN BROOLFIELD COLORADO. THEY SAID MY BLAZER DOESN'T COME UNDER THIS RECALL. I HAVE HAD 1 ACCIDENT AND 1 NEAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS FIXED SHORT OF A COURT BATTLE?
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.