IllustrationWHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*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 reportsABS BRAKES LOCK UP SPORADICALLY, WITH NO WARNING. CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME BRAKE PRESSURE IS APPLIED. BRAKES ALSO HAVE A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL/SQUEEK WHEN BRAKING TO STOP. THE LOCKING UP PROBLEM IS ONLY OCCASIONALLY, WHILE THE SQUEALING/SQUEEKING NOISE IS THERE ALL THE TIME.
WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS VALVE BEGAN TO CHATTER BUT THE BRAKE DID NOT APPLY THE BRAKE VALVE ONLY CHATTERED QUICKLY ALLOWING THE BRAKES TO SHUTTER, AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NLM
BRAKES FAILED,RUBBING NOISE RESULTING THE PATH OF AN AUTO/DAMAGE LISTED
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN, ABS LIGHT CAME ON, AT THAT TIME NO ABS BRAKING ACTION. DEALER FOUND RIGHT FRONT SPEED SENSOR TO BE AT FAULT. *AK
ABS MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
IN APPROXIMATELY, JULY, 2000, (UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE) THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ON THE SAID VEHICLE. I CHECKED THE WEBSITES FOR BOTH CHEVROLET AND NHTSA TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS HAD BEEN CALLED. ON THE WEBSITE IT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN FOR 1991-1996. WHEN I CONTACTED CHEVROLET VIA TELEPHONE,…
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IN APPROXIMATELY, JULY, 2000, (UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE) THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ON THE SAID VEHICLE. I CHECKED THE WEBSITES FOR BOTH CHEVROLET AND NHTSA TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS HAD BEEN CALLED. ON THE WEBSITE IT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN FOR 1991-1996. WHEN I CONTACTED CHEVROLET VIA TELEPHONE, THEY DENIED THAT THIS INFORMATION WAS ON THEIR WEBSITE AND STATED THAT IT WAS ONLY UP TO THE YEAR 1995. THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS BEFORE A RECALL COULD BE MADE ON A CERTAIN VEHICLE YEAR. I STATED MY FRUSTRATION WITH THE REPRESENATIVE AND TOLD HER THAT I WOULD MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO RECEIVE WHAT I FELT I WAS DUE. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS AND HEADACHES, THEY FINALLY SENT A RECALL NOTICE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GIBSON CHEVROLET IN SOUTH HOLLAND, ILLINOIS WHO REPLACED A SWITCH AND SAID THEY WERE DONE. WHEN I BEGAN TO LEAVE, I NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I WENT BACK INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD THEM THAT THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND THE GENTLEMAN STATED THAT WHAT THEY HAD REPAIRED WOULD NOT PREVENT THE LIGHT FROM BEING ON. AFTER SEVERAL CONVERSATIONAL CIRCLES, I QUESTIONED WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLES ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS OPERATIONAL AND I WAS TOLD "NO" " WE COULD RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK , BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT." NOW, IT WAS AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT I REPORTED THAT MY LIGHT HAD COME ON WHEN THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. IN ADDITION TO THAT I HAD APPROXIMATELY 7 BRAKE PAD CHANGES IN A PERIOD OF 16 MONTHS AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE TIME RECALLS WERE BEING MADE, WHY DOES THIS VEHICLE NOT QUALIFY FOR NOT ONLY THE SWITCH TO BE REPAIRED BUT FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. AT THIS TIME, I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT SINCE THE ANTI-LOCKS ARE NON-FUNCTIONAL AND THE PADS CONTINUE TO WEAR, THAT I MAY BE IN DANGER. THEY SHOW MINIMAL CONCERN TO THE WELFARE OF THEIR CLIENTS. I FEEL ROBBED AS WELL AS CHEATED. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK
CD PLAYER FAILED, DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE RADIO STILL MALFUNCTIONS. *CJ
WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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
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.