IllustrationREAR WINDOW WIPER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. EITHER IT WON'T START OR WILL NOT STOP UNLESS YOU DISCONNECT THE MAIN BATTERY. *LA
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 reportsBALL JOINT SEPARATED AND CONTROL ARM NEED TO BE REPLACED. *LA
UPON MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY FRONT WHEELS TURNED INWARD AND FELL OFF. THE UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY, CAUSING THE FAILURE.*AK
VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT MIDDLE RIDGE SERVICE PLAZA AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE CONSISTED OF HOSES, WIRES AND INSULATION UNDER HOOD. CONSUMER HAD NO RECENT ENGINE PROBLEMS. *PH *JB
UPPER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED, CAUSING THE FRONT WHEEL TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. RECALL 95V080000 DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE; BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO MODEL AND VIN. *AK
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
APPLIED BRAKES WHILE TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ANOTHER CAR IN TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY, GOING ABOUT 25 MPH. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT CAR IN FRONT OF US. WHILE BRAKING ON WET PAVEMENT, OR RR TRACKS, OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT THE ABS FAILS AND PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. AT MY EXPENSE I TOOK CAR TO GMC DEALERSHIP TO CHECK…
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APPLIED BRAKES WHILE TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ANOTHER CAR IN TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY, GOING ABOUT 25 MPH. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT CAR IN FRONT OF US. WHILE BRAKING ON WET PAVEMENT, OR RR TRACKS, OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT THE ABS FAILS AND PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. AT MY EXPENSE I TOOK CAR TO GMC DEALERSHIP TO CHECK BRAKES. I WAS TOLD CAR HAD NO OPEN RECALLS. THEY LOOKED AT ABS AND SAID THERE WERE NO ERRORS COMING UP. GMC SAID BRAKE PADS WERE WORN - THEY WERE REPLACED 6 MONTHS AGO, AND THEN AGAIN ABOUT 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. MECHANIC TOOK US ON TEST DRIVE OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT, WE TRIED TO BRAKE, AND ABS WENT TO FLOOR, STOPPING WAS EXTREMELY DELAYED. WE WERE TOLD THAT WAS "NORMAL". HE ALSO SAID THAT IF WE HAD GMC BRAKE PADS THEN WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP BETTER. OPENED CALL WITH GMC AND WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO MILEAGE OF CAR THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. HOW CAN A CAR BE CONSIDERED SAFE TO DRIVE IF THE BRAKES DON'T WORK? GMC RECALL 99I006000 DESCRIBES THIS EXACT PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED. I WAS TOLD MY CAR HAD THIS RECALL PERFORMED. I WILL TAKE CAR TO 3RD PARTY FOR OPINION, AND THEN WILL SEEK LEGAL REPRESENTATION. CAR WILL SIT IN GARAGE UNTIL THEN. IT'S TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *LA
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH ON A WELL PAVED ROAD, HEARD A LOUD BANG. TWO SECONDS LATER, ANOTHER LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD, AND THE BLAZER TILTED TO THE LEFT LIKE HAVE A BLOWN TIRE. LUCKILY, WE WERE GOING AT SLOW SPEED AND MANAGED TO PULL THE BLAZER TO THE CURB. AFTER TOLD TO THE NEARBY SERVICE STATION, THE MECHANIC SAID THE UPPER BALL …
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WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH ON A WELL PAVED ROAD, HEARD A LOUD BANG. TWO SECONDS LATER, ANOTHER LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD, AND THE BLAZER TILTED TO THE LEFT LIKE HAVE A BLOWN TIRE. LUCKILY, WE WERE GOING AT SLOW SPEED AND MANAGED TO PULL THE BLAZER TO THE CURB. AFTER TOLD TO THE NEARBY SERVICE STATION, THE MECHANIC SAID THE UPPER BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS PULLED OFF THE SOCKET. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE WHEEL RIM WAS CUT AND TIRE WAS BLOWN. AFTER LEARNING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS KIND ON 1996 BLAZER, I CALLED GM AND GAVE THE VIN. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID MY VEHICLE IS NOT IN THE RECALL LIST AND THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO. THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, OILED AND LUBRICATED EVERY 3000 MILES. I CANNOT IMAGINE IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREE WAY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT ALL BLAZER OWNER SHALL KNOW. *LA
MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1996 CHEVY BLAZER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. SOME DAYS, THEY WILL NOT START UP, OTHER DAYS THEY STOP WHILE I AM DRIVING AND OTHER DAYS THEY WORK FINE. I CONTACTED GM BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT MY VEHICLE ALREADY HAD THE REPLACEMENT PART INSTALLED. I FELT THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PR…
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MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1996 CHEVY BLAZER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. SOME DAYS, THEY WILL NOT START UP, OTHER DAYS THEY STOP WHILE I AM DRIVING AND OTHER DAYS THEY WORK FINE. I CONTACTED GM BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT MY VEHICLE ALREADY HAD THE REPLACEMENT PART INSTALLED. I FELT THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS OR FATALITIES. *LA
IN JULY OF 2002 THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT AND WERE REPLACED UNDER A FACTORY RECALL ORDER. JUST OVER ONE YEAR, THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT AGAIN. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. *AK *SCC *JB
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.