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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

What owners actually said

1,153 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2002
Service Brakes, AirCrashInjury

I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE, I CAME UP TO A STOP SIGN, AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I TRIED PUMPING THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING, SO I TRIED HOLDING THEM TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NOTHING. THE ROAD DEAD ENDED AND I HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE, AT WHICH TIME I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT…

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I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE, I CAME UP TO A STOP SIGN, AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I TRIED PUMPING THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING, SO I TRIED HOLDING THEM TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NOTHING. THE ROAD DEAD ENDED AND I HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE, AT WHICH TIME I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT WENT IN THE DITCH AND ROLLED ON IT'S SIDE. THE BRAKES WORKED UP TIL THIS POINT, I HAD MADE 5 STOPS PRIOR TO THIS ONE. THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS, BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BRAKES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OUT OF THE DITCH, AND THE BRAKES WERE TESTED, THEY SEEMED TO WORK AGAIN. I WAS VERY LUCKY, I FOUND OUT LATER, THAT MY BOYFRIEND HAD DRIVEN THE CAR, EARLIER THAT MONTH AND THE BRAKES HAD DONE THE SAME THING TO HIM, HE CHECKED THE BRAKE PADS, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM, AND THE BRAKES SEEMED TO WORK AFTER THAT. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND FOUND OUT THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. I HAVE TALKED TO A PERSON, WHO HAD WORKED FOR GM FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND HE KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND TOLD ME THEY NEVER DID A RECALL, BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT THEIR CARS IN FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, THE BRAKES WOULD RANDOMLY FAIL. I CAN NOT BELIEVE A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN DONE, I WAS VERY LUCKY, SOMEONE ELSE MAY NOT BE. DT

NHTSA ODI #769878

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2002
Suspension

DRIVING UNDER THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT I SWERED TO MY LEFT, I HEARD A NOISE FROM UNDER THE FRONT END I OVER CORRECTED THE TURN AND TURNED LEFT AND BECAME AIRBORN ROLLING 3 TIMES THEN SPINNING ON THE ROOF, THEN ANOTHER CAR SLAMED INTO ME. DT

NHTSA ODI #769207

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, BUT IT HAS CAUSED 1 ACCIDENT IN WICH I WAS CITED AND NEARLY CAUSED 4 OTHER ACCIDENTS. THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED AT LEAST 5 OTHER TIMES IN CONDITIONS THAT NORMAL BRAKES WOULDN'T HAVE HAD A PROBLEM. DT

NHTSA ODI #769206

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA ODI #769172

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2002
Suspension

DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO DO RECALL FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINT, UNLESS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCE THE DEFECT STATED IN THE RECALL. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021923

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2002
Power TrainFire

CONSUMER STATES THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID STARTED LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND AND DOWN THE EXHAUST PIPE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STARTED TO FILL WITH SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CAME OFF IN COMSUMER HAND FROM THE HEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

NHTSA ODI #8021379

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2002
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING. AT FIRST NOTICED FAST FLASHING OF INDICATOR ON DASH, THEN NOTICED SLOW FLASHING, AND THEN NO FLASHING, JUST A STEADY INDICATOR LIGHT, AND FINALLY, NO INDICATOR LIGHT AT ALL. BOUGHT A FLASHER AT NAPA AUTO PARTS, THINKING I COULD JUST REPLACE IT, BUT I COULDN'T FIND THE FLASHER. WENT TO THE DEALER TO INQU…

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TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING. AT FIRST NOTICED FAST FLASHING OF INDICATOR ON DASH, THEN NOTICED SLOW FLASHING, AND THEN NO FLASHING, JUST A STEADY INDICATOR LIGHT, AND FINALLY, NO INDICATOR LIGHT AT ALL. BOUGHT A FLASHER AT NAPA AUTO PARTS, THINKING I COULD JUST REPLACE IT, BUT I COULDN'T FIND THE FLASHER. WENT TO THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLASHER AND THEY SAID CHEVROLET HAS DESIGNED THE TURN SIGNAL SYSTEM SO THAT THE ENITRE DASHBOARD HAS TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE FLASHER WHICH WILL TAKE APPROX. 2 HOURS OF LABOR, COSTING OVER $200. THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS! THEY ALSO SAID THERE IS A RECALL ON THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS, (#O1V364000) BUT THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RECALL MAY BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VEHICLES, AND I COULD GET REIMBURSED. I SURE HOPE SO. IT'S REDICULOUS TO HAVE TO PAY OVER $200 TO REPLACE A FLASHER OR REPLACE A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. DT

NHTSA ODI #768673

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

DRIVER WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD FROM AN EMBANKMENT AND VEHICLE LANDED IN A DITCH APPROXIMATELY 12 FEET BELOW THE ROAD. VEHICLE IMPACTED THE GROUND SURFACE HEAD ON. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. DT

NHTSA ODI #768624

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2002
Service Brakes, AirCrashInjury

BRAKES FAILED/SKIPPED WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO EXIT OFF MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAS GOING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH WAS 55 MPH, I WAS GOING 50 MPH. AS I PROCEEDED TO SLOW DOWN TO EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY. I PRESSED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES SKIPPED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SPIN 1-2 TIMES. THEN PROCEEDED TO FLIP OVER FOUR TIMES. NO FATALI…

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BRAKES FAILED/SKIPPED WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO EXIT OFF MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAS GOING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH WAS 55 MPH, I WAS GOING 50 MPH. AS I PROCEEDED TO SLOW DOWN TO EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY. I PRESSED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES SKIPPED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SPIN 1-2 TIMES. THEN PROCEEDED TO FLIP OVER FOUR TIMES. NO FATALITIES, BUT DRIVER WHO WAS MYSELF WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND REQUIRED LEFT ARM AND HAND SURGERY DUE TO DEGLOVING OF HAND AND LACERATED TRICEPS AND SERIOUS GLASS DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED OUT. DRIVER SIDE ROOF WAS CAVED IN AND PASSENGER SIDE ROOF WAS COMPLETELY CAVED IN. BRAKES SEEMED LIKE THEY TRIED TO GRASP THE TIRES FAILED TO DO SO THEREFORE SKIPPING AND CAUSING THE CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. DT

NHTSA ODI #768565

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENOUGH OIL IS NOT BEING SUPPLIED TO ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

NHTSA ODI #8020259

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.