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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

Tires complaints

14 reports
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153,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER EQUIPPED WITH DEFINITY TIRES EX600, SIZE 235-70-R15 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BELT BECAME SEPARATED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR AND FRONT TIRES WERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER EQUIPPED WITH DEFINITY TIRES EX600, SIZE 235-70-R15 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BELT BECAME SEPARATED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR AND FRONT TIRES WERE PREMATURELY WORN. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000. UPDATED 12/18/13*CN

NHTSA ODI #10523106

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2010
SuspensionTires

1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER RIGHT REAR TIRE CAME OFF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FELL OFF, DUE TO BAD BEARINGS. OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT# 10-0020-89 UPDATED LETTER 04/29/10 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10312118

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2006
Tires

ON MARCH 8, 2006, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT WHEN I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. AGAIN, THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD; I HEARD A POPPING NOISE, WHICH WAS THEN FOLLOWED BY THE TIRE GOING FLAT NOISE. AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET THE TIRE CHANGED (MICHELIN TIRE…

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ON MARCH 8, 2006, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT WHEN I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. AGAIN, THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD; I HEARD A POPPING NOISE, WHICH WAS THEN FOLLOWED BY THE TIRE GOING FLAT NOISE. AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET THE TIRE CHANGED (MICHELIN TIRE). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152529

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2006
Tires

ON NOVEMBER 20, 2005, THE LEFT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT WHEN I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD; I HEARD A PINGING NOISE, WHICH WAS THEN FOLLOWED BY THE TIRE GOING FLAT NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CHANGE THE TIRE (MICHELIN TIRE). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152527

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2001
SuspensionTires

RECALL 01V200000; WHILE DRIVING TIRES WERE WEARING FUNNY. TIRES WERE BRAND NEW. TOOK VEHICLE FOR ALIGNMENT, AND WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE CORRODED. REPAIRS COULD NOT BE DONE ON TIRES DUE TO BALL JOINTS. MANUFACTURER INDICATED THIS VEHCLE NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #897699

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2001
Tires

TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT 36000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #751973

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2001
Tires

TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT 36000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #751969

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicTires

RECALL 99I006000 WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, AFTER DEFECT WAS REPAIRED BRAKE SYSTEM WILL LOCK UP, AND CONSUMER WILL LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING. *AK VEHICLE STALLED 2 TIMES AFTER DRIVEN, THEN SHUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES THEN RESTARTED, DEALER REPROGRAMMED ECM. FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED, RESURFACED ROTORS, REPLACED W…

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RECALL 99I006000 WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, AFTER DEFECT WAS REPAIRED BRAKE SYSTEM WILL LOCK UP, AND CONSUMER WILL LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING. *AK VEHICLE STALLED 2 TIMES AFTER DRIVEN, THEN SHUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES THEN RESTARTED, DEALER REPROGRAMMED ECM. FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED, RESURFACED ROTORS, REPLACED WORN OUT BRAKES, DURING LIGHT BRAKING DURING LIGHT RAIN, ABS KICKS IN. REAR TIRES WORN ON OUTSIDE EDGES, CONSUMER DID NOT GIVE ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING TIRES. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #883768

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2000
Tires

THE TIRES IN QUESTION HAVE THE SAME DEFECTS THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN ON NATIONAL T.V. THE SIDES OF MY TIRES HAVE BLISTERED AND ARE PEELING ALONG WITH A FAINT LINE WHERE THE TREAD WAS ATTACHED TO THE REST OF THE TIRE. DO I HAVE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR HAVE A FATALITY BEFORE SOMTHING OR SOMEONE WILL CONTACT ME ? I HAVE CALLED AND A RE…

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THE TIRES IN QUESTION HAVE THE SAME DEFECTS THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN ON NATIONAL T.V. THE SIDES OF MY TIRES HAVE BLISTERED AND ARE PEELING ALONG WITH A FAINT LINE WHERE THE TREAD WAS ATTACHED TO THE REST OF THE TIRE. DO I HAVE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR HAVE A FATALITY BEFORE SOMTHING OR SOMEONE WILL CONTACT ME ? I HAVE CALLED AND A REPORT HAS BEEN TAKEN SEVERAL TIMES TO FIRESTONE WITH A COMMENT THAT SOME ONE FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH ME. MY FIRST REPORT OF MY PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES WAS 9-5-00. I HAVE LOST MY JOB AND FALLING BEHIND ON BILLS. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW SET OF REPLACEMENT TIRES NOR CAN I AFFORD AN AUTO ACCIDENT. WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME? SINCERELY, DAVID SARACENI( DOT NUMBER: HYHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #734365

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureTires

MICHELIN TIRES DID NOT LAST 20,000 MILES, THEY LASTED 17,000 MILES, RADIATOR COOLING SYSTEM CLOGGED UP AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES, DOOR LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF AT TIMES, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, DEALER FOUND NOT PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #9005368

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.