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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

Wheels complaints

22 reports
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216,000 miles · Jun 15, 2009
SteeringSuspensionWheels

THE FRONT TIRES ARE WORN, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. I HAVE HAD THESE REPLACED IN THE PAST. THIS IS A CONTINUAL REPAIR AND GETTING COSTLY. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL BUT BECAUSE OF THE TIME THAT HAS PAST THAT IT IS NO LONGER COVERED. I AM IN FEAR OF GETTING IN AN ACCIDE…

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THE FRONT TIRES ARE WORN, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. I HAVE HAD THESE REPLACED IN THE PAST. THIS IS A CONTINUAL REPAIR AND GETTING COSTLY. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL BUT BECAUSE OF THE TIME THAT HAS PAST THAT IT IS NO LONGER COVERED. I AM IN FEAR OF GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVING THE WAY IT IS. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. I WAS TOLD ALSO THAT I NEED IDLER ARM REPLACEMENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273912

62,000 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Wheels

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL COMPLETELY DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB. CONSUME RCLAIMED WHEEL FELL OFF, AND SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10108739

80,000 miles · Jul 23, 2004
Wheels

THE WHEELS WERE NOT SEATED PROPERLY ON THIS PARTICULAR TRAILER. WHEN TRAILER WAS BEING PULLED AT ANY SPEED THE HUBS OVERHEATED. THIS CAUSED THE AXEL TO BE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10083575

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 · Sep 26, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

CONSUMER STATES BALL JOINTS ARE CONSTANTLY FAILING. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE THEM TWICE. A RECALL WAS INITIATED, BUT CONSUMER'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. RELATED RECALLS 01V200000 AND 01I018000. *AK RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS. THERE WAS SQUEAKING NOISE ON TURNS DUE TO IDLER ARM FAILURE. FRO…

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CONSUMER STATES BALL JOINTS ARE CONSTANTLY FAILING. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE THEM TWICE. A RECALL WAS INITIATED, BUT CONSUMER'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. RELATED RECALLS 01V200000 AND 01I018000. *AK RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS. THERE WAS SQUEAKING NOISE ON TURNS DUE TO IDLER ARM FAILURE. FRONT PADS WORN OUT AND ROTORS FAILED, BOTH WERE REPLACED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #8019559

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2002
Wheels

WHILE PULLING OUTSIDE OF DRIVEWAY, LEFT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *TT

NHTSA ODI #8009943

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2002
Wheels

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH FRONT LEFT WHEEL COLLAPSED, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER WAS TAKING A LOOK AT VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8006663

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2001
Wheels

HAVE EXCESSIVE LATERIAL RUN OUT IN BOTH REAR TIRES, FIRESTONE STATES IS DUE TO OEM WHEELS BENT, WHEELS MEASURED AND WELL WITH IN MFG SPEC'S, FIRESTONE WANTS TO REPLACE WITH SAME, AS A CONSUMER I WANT REIMBURSEMENT FOR TIRES, NOTE THESE ARE REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM RECALL LAST YEAR. UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AT HWY SPEEDS DUE TO VI…

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HAVE EXCESSIVE LATERIAL RUN OUT IN BOTH REAR TIRES, FIRESTONE STATES IS DUE TO OEM WHEELS BENT, WHEELS MEASURED AND WELL WITH IN MFG SPEC'S, FIRESTONE WANTS TO REPLACE WITH SAME, AS A CONSUMER I WANT REIMBURSEMENT FOR TIRES, NOTE THESE ARE REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM RECALL LAST YEAR. UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AT HWY SPEEDS DUE TO VIBRATION. ALSO UNABLE TO ROTATE TIRE PER MFG RECOMMENDATIONS DUE TO PROBLEM. IF FIRESTONE REPLACES JUST REAR TIRES STILL HAVE FRONTS WITH WEAR FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO ROTATE, FIRESTONE SAYS 'TO BAD'*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75/R1)

NHTSA ODI #752503

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Wheels

FRONT WHEEL CAME LOOSE FROM TIRE. IT HOLDS WHOLE FRAME OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS IN REVERSE AND TURNED OUT ON A MAIN ROAD. ABOUT 10 FEET THERE WAS A POP, STEERING FELT FUNNY. DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL POPPED LOOSE FROM FRAME. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER TO REFER THEM TO A CHEVROLET DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #881751

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1999
Wheels

WE WERE TRAVELLING WESTBOUND ON ROUTE 4 IN WEST RUTLAND, VERMONT, AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN WE HEARD A WHISTLING SOUND. WE THOUGHT IT WAS AIR COMING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE WINDOW, BUT IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, THE CAR LOST CONTROL AND THE FRONT END OF THE CAR "FELL DOWN". WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT WE HAD A BLOW OUT, BUT AFTER WE V…

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WE WERE TRAVELLING WESTBOUND ON ROUTE 4 IN WEST RUTLAND, VERMONT, AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN WE HEARD A WHISTLING SOUND. WE THOUGHT IT WAS AIR COMING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE WINDOW, BUT IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, THE CAR LOST CONTROL AND THE FRONT END OF THE CAR "FELL DOWN". WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT WE HAD A BLOW OUT, BUT AFTER WE VIEWED IT WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO STOPPED TO ASSIST, WE DISCOVERED THE RIM WAS SEVERED IN HALF AND THE TIRE WAS TOTALLY OUT OF PLACE. A TRUCKER WHO STOPPED TO ASSIST US, LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND SAID IT APPEARED TO BE A BALL JOINT BREAKAGE. HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH A 1996 VEHICLE WITH ONLY 24,000 OR SO MILES ON IT. WE ALSO HAD A STATE TROOPER ASSIST US, AND HE COMMENTED ON HOW LUCKY WE WERE THAT WE WEREN'T HURT. FROM THE TIME THE CAR LOST CONTROL, WE HAD SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, MISSING THE GUARDRAIL BY INCHES. THE BLAZER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT PRESENTLY AWAITS REPAIR. THE OWNER OF THE SHOP CONFIRMED THE BALL JOINT BREAKAGE. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM AND AWAIT A CALL FROM ONE OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.WHEN WE ORIGINALLY VIEWED YOUR SITE FOR INITIAL INFORMATION ON HOW TO REPORT THIS, WE NOTICED TWO OTHER INVESTIGATIONS REPORTED WITHIN THE PAST 100 DAYS THAT INDICATED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINT BREAKAGE. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE IN THIS MATTER AS WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE OTHER CHEVY BLAZER OWNERS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.TO DATE, WE STILL CAN'T USE THE VEHICLE AS WE WAIT FOR A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #711356

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.