← New search

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

420 reports
Clear category filter
45,000 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineInterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE ITEMS AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED PER THE MANUFACTURER. *JB THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS INTERMITTENT, THE HATCHBACK LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE INTERNAL LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. RECALL# 03V159000 …

Read full complaint

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE ITEMS AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED PER THE MANUFACTURER. *JB THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS INTERMITTENT, THE HATCHBACK LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE INTERNAL LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. RECALL# 03V159000 AND 96V234000. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10087785

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10059559

71,331 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionCrashInjury

BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE WORK DONE SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING RECALL OF ABS. WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 9 2002. THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT SLOW SPEED ON SURFACE STREET RESULTING IN A THREE CAR COLLISION ONE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. ACCIDENT COSTS NOT INCLUDED. MINOR …

Read full complaint

BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE WORK DONE SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING RECALL OF ABS. WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 9 2002. THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT SLOW SPEED ON SURFACE STREET RESULTING IN A THREE CAR COLLISION ONE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. ACCIDENT COSTS NOT INCLUDED. MINOR INJURY TO DRIVERS OF TWO OF THE VEHICLES. CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE AND SO WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBLILY ETC. VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE AS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHAT ACTUAL PROBLEM IS. BRAKES FAILED AGAIN WHEN THE AUTOBODY REPAIR SHOP TOOK IT IN FOR BRAKE CHECK PRIOR TO RETURNING TO US.

NHTSA ODI #10071015

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

I WAS JUST INVOLVED IN "REAR-ENDER" IN WHICH I COULD NOT GET MY BLAZER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY STOPPED TO TURN LEFT. THAT SEEMED OKAY BECAUSE I KNEW I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP. HOWEVER, AS I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE ABS WAS RELEASING THE BRAKES CAUSING MY BLAZER TO ROLL RIGHT IN…

Read full complaint

I WAS JUST INVOLVED IN "REAR-ENDER" IN WHICH I COULD NOT GET MY BLAZER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY STOPPED TO TURN LEFT. THAT SEEMED OKAY BECAUSE I KNEW I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP. HOWEVER, AS I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE ABS WAS RELEASING THE BRAKES CAUSING MY BLAZER TO ROLL RIGHT INTO THE REAR THE EXPLORER IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS EXTREMEMLY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE I HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN ABS RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10069720

80,000 miles · Nov 4, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM; CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO DEALERS.THEY HAD NO RECORD OF RECALLS. VEHICLE GRABBED/RELEASED/ KEPT SLIDING, AND WOULD NOT STOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10045425

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 1996 CHEVROLET S10 BLAZER INCLUDING PROBLEMS WITH MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AFTER TALKING TO TWO OTHER PEOLPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE I DECIDED TO LOOK FOR RECALLS AND INDEED THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS MODEL NONE OF WITCH I HAVE BEEN…

Read full complaint

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 1996 CHEVROLET S10 BLAZER INCLUDING PROBLEMS WITH MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AFTER TALKING TO TWO OTHER PEOLPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE I DECIDED TO LOOK FOR RECALLS AND INDEED THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS MODEL NONE OF WITCH I HAVE BEEN INFORMED I ALOND WITH A CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE DEPEND ON OUR BLAZERS TO TRANSPORT OUR CHILD TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THE HEATER CORES ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE I BELIEVE GM IS RESPOBSIBLE AND I WILL HOLD THEM LIABLE IF THEY DO NOT FIX THESE DEFECTS AND AN ACCIDENT SHOULD OCCUR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10036733

170,825 miles · Jul 29, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TRAVELING AT 45MPH AND HAD TO COME TO A STOP. BRAKES BECAME VERY HARD TO PUSH. SLOWLY WAS ABLE TO STOP BLAZER S-10. THERE WAS NO EARLY INDICATOR THAT MY BRAKES WERE FAILING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE POWER ASSIST BOOSTER IS FAULTY. COST IS OVER 600.00 TO REPAIR . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10030336

85,000 miles · Jul 27, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicWheels

BOTH REAR WHEELS AND AXLES SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND BRAKING DUE TO SEVERED BRAKE LINES AND REAR WHEELS SEPARATED FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL.BODY DAMAGE INCURRED WHEN REAR WHEEL AND AXLE JAMMED UNDER REAR BUMPER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029299

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STATES "WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR." CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP BRAKES TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED THEAT"BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED."*AK

NHTSA ODI #10026944

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WILL SKID AND MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10026499

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.