Illustration1. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROLLER BAD 2. AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR LEAKS OUT ALL REFRIGERANT 3. HEAD LIGHTS ARE SO BAD, YOU CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD HARDLY AT ALL. *JB
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
What owners actually said
1,153 reportsTHE HEATER SWITCH STARTED TO SMOKE, BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. *JB
THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN OUT OF GAS, DUE TO A GAS GAUGE THAT WAS NOT REGISTERING GAS INTAKE. *JB
STEERING PROBLEMS SINCE VEHICLE ACQUIRED. REPORTED TO DEALER IN 2001, RESPONSE "UNABLE TO REPLICATE CUSTOMER CONCERN." WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHEN PROBLEM PERSISTED (2002). UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACED UNDER RECALL. RETURNED TO DEALER BECAUSE ALIGNMENT NOT COMPLETED, ADVISED THAT LOWER BALL JOINT ALSO BAD AND NOT COVERED B…
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STEERING PROBLEMS SINCE VEHICLE ACQUIRED. REPORTED TO DEALER IN 2001, RESPONSE "UNABLE TO REPLICATE CUSTOMER CONCERN." WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHEN PROBLEM PERSISTED (2002). UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACED UNDER RECALL. RETURNED TO DEALER BECAUSE ALIGNMENT NOT COMPLETED, ADVISED THAT LOWER BALL JOINT ALSO BAD AND NOT COVERED BY RECALL BUT WAS IN SIMILAR CONDITION AS UPPER. DID NOT ALIGN AT THAT TIME EITHER. ATTEMPTED CONTACT WITH GM, THEY DECLINED TO REPLACE, REPAIR OR FURTHER INVESTIGATE (REF# 1-78000118). *NLM
AFTER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SINCE THE PURCHASE OF OUR 1996 BLAZER IN 8/2002, THEY COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING DURING A RAINSTORM WHILE TRAVELING ON FRIDAY FEB 16. THERE IS A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH BLAZERS BUT AFTER CALLING A LOCAL DEALER I WAS TOLD IT DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VEICLE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS…
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AFTER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SINCE THE PURCHASE OF OUR 1996 BLAZER IN 8/2002, THEY COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING DURING A RAINSTORM WHILE TRAVELING ON FRIDAY FEB 16. THERE IS A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH BLAZERS BUT AFTER CALLING A LOCAL DEALER I WAS TOLD IT DID NOT APPLY TO OUR VEICLE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOW INSTEAD OF WORKING INTERMITANTLY DO NOT WORK AT ALL AND MAKE A BUZZING NOISE.
I HAVE A 1996 BLAZER WITH ONLY 56000 MILES ON IT AND THE VEHICLE CONTROL UNIT AND THE ABS MODULE SHORTED OUT COSTING 1700.00. THE CAR IS STILL YOUNG. I DID A SEARCH FOR THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND OVER 200 OTHER PEOPLE POSTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ALSO HAPPENED IN MY 1993 BLAZER. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 5 CARS 4 OF THEM ARE C…
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I HAVE A 1996 BLAZER WITH ONLY 56000 MILES ON IT AND THE VEHICLE CONTROL UNIT AND THE ABS MODULE SHORTED OUT COSTING 1700.00. THE CAR IS STILL YOUNG. I DID A SEARCH FOR THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND OVER 200 OTHER PEOPLE POSTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ALSO HAPPENED IN MY 1993 BLAZER. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 5 CARS 4 OF THEM ARE CHEVROLET BUT HOPEFULLY THAT NUMBER WILL DECREASE, WELL IM SURE IT WILL IF WE KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *DT *JB
TWICE, 2 DIFFERENT BATTERIES HAVE LEAKED ACID FROM THE POSITIVE TERMINAL MELTING THE BATTERY CABLE. BOTH BATTERIES WERE AC DELCO/PART NO. 19001628. 2ND BATTERY WAS INSTALLED 01/12/00. PH
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE TIRE/WHEEL PROBLEMS. SCC
JUST BROUGHT 96 BLAZERLS WITH 82,000 IN DEC.02. WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THEY HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 20,000. WELL,83,000 MILES THE HEATER WAS ON HOT BLOWING WHEN I NOTICED THAT IT TURN COLD AND THE GAGE WENT TO THE RED ZONE. I IMMEDIATELY TURN SWICHES OFF ON THE BLOWER IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. TWO DA…
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JUST BROUGHT 96 BLAZERLS WITH 82,000 IN DEC.02. WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THEY HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 20,000. WELL,83,000 MILES THE HEATER WAS ON HOT BLOWING WHEN I NOTICED THAT IT TURN COLD AND THE GAGE WENT TO THE RED ZONE. I IMMEDIATELY TURN SWICHES OFF ON THE BLOWER IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. TWO DAYS LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT I TURN OFF THE HEATER AND BLOWER COMPLETELY IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. WE THOUGHT THE TERMOSTACT GOT STUCK AND REPLACED IT . AT THAT TIME WE NOTICE THAT IT WAS GEL UP OVER THE TERMOSTACT, AFTER REPLACING IT , WE TESTED DROVE IT AND IT STILL DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. WE LOOKED AT THE RADIATOR AND FOUND THAT IT WAS GEL UP AND LOOK LIKE RUBBER. WE THEN DECIDED TO CHECK THE FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION WE NOTICED THAT THE DIPPED STICK WAS RUSTED ON THE OUTSIDE AND WAS RUSTED THE LENGTH OF THE STICK THE FLUID WAS RUSTED. WE WILL NOW HAVE TO FLUSHED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I HAD CHECKED YOUR SITE AND FOUND NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE GELING AND TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE BUYING. TELL TODAY WHEN I DECIDED TO CHECKED OUT COMPLAINTS AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS 54 AND COUPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS OF GELING AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK OUT 98 BECAUSE MY SISTERINLAW HAD JUST BROUGHT ONE AND NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS BUT THEY ARE COMPALINTS OF COOL HEATING (PROBABLY FROM GELING ANITIFREEZE) AND TRANSMISSIONS BEING REPLACED ONCE ,TWICE AND I GUY 3 TIMES. SO I CHECK 2001 AND THEY WAS SOMEONE ELSE REPLACING A TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WHEN THERE IS GELING OF ANTIFREEZE FROM 96 TO 98 AND REPLACING TRANSMISSIONS LEFT AND RIGHT SINCE 96. TO ME CHEVROLET HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND GELING PROBLEMS IN THESE BLAZERS GETTING AWAY WITH IT. FROM NOW ON I'LL CHECK OUT COMPLAINTS BEFORE RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS THERE'S THE CONSUMERS EYES AND EARS.
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.