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 reports
139 miles · Mar 1, 2005
Equipment
SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED MY 1996 CHEVY 4X4 BLAZER, THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. AFTER GETTING THIS SERVICED, AND NOT USING IT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE CONDENSER WAS BAD AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS NOT ONLY HAPPENED ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT ALSO ON THE CHEVR…
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SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED MY 1996 CHEVY 4X4 BLAZER, THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. AFTER GETTING THIS SERVICED, AND NOT USING IT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE CONDENSER WAS BAD AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS NOT ONLY HAPPENED ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT ALSO ON THE CHEVROLET TRUCK WE HAD OWNED BEFORE. WHILE TALKING WITH THE MECHANIC HE SAID THAT HE HAS WORK ON LOTS OF CHEVYS WITH TROUBLE IN THE CONDENSER. I THINK THIS MATTER SHOULD BE RESEARCHED AND TAKEN CARE OF. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10112375
90,850 miles · Feb 1, 2005
Suspension
FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE, REPLACEMENT REQUIRED, PARTS NOT AVAILABLE*AK
NHTSA ODI #10108377
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. OWNER HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. OWNER WILL NOTIFY MANUFACTURER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10109267
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
178,000 miles · Dec 19, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineSeat BeltsSeatsCrashInjury
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MY HUSBAND, MOTHER, 8 YEAR OLD SON, 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, AND 1 YEAR OLD SON, WERE STRANDED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE ON I-66 EAST IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA WITH A BROKEN FUEL PUMP. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK THEY WERE HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER WHO WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 100 MPH. THE BLAZER FLIPPED ONTO ITS…
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ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MY HUSBAND, MOTHER, 8 YEAR OLD SON, 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, AND 1 YEAR OLD SON, WERE STRANDED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE ON I-66 EAST IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA WITH A BROKEN FUEL PUMP. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK THEY WERE HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER WHO WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 100 MPH. THE BLAZER FLIPPED ONTO ITS SIDE AND SKIDDED A GREAT DISTANCE, BEFORE FINALLY COMING TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE BACK SEAT, AND THE FRONT SEAT BROKE AND SANDWICHED HER IN BETWEEN THE TWO. SHE BROKE HER JAW WHEN SHE WAS SLAMMED INTO THE SMALL HANDLE ABOVE THE REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. SHE ALSO SUFFERED A BROKEN WRIST AND BROKEN ARM WHEN SHE WAS THROWN INTO THE DOOR. WHEN THE BACK SEAT BROKE IT CAUSED HER TO HIT THE HEADSET OF THE BROKEN FRONT SEAT WHICH IN TURN CAUSED SOME OF HER TEETH TO GO THROUGH HER BOTTOM LIP. MY MOTHER WHO WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS INJURED WHEN THE ROOF DID NOT HOLD UP IN THE CRASH AND SUFFERED THANKFULLY WHAT WAS CLASSIFIED AS "MINOR" INJURIES, BUT COULD HAVE VERY WELL BEEN MAJOR INJURIES BECAUSE THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE FROM FRONT TO BACK DID NOT HOLD UP IN THE ACCIDENT. I DO HAVE MANY PICTURES OF WHAT WAS LEFT OF MY BLAZER, FROM MANY DIFFERENT ANGLES BOTH INSIDE AND OUT. I AM DEEPLY TROUBLED BY THE FACT THAT BOTH SEATS BROKE, AND THE ROOF DID NOT HOLD UP AT ALL. MY 8 YEAR SITTING IN THE REAR CENTER SEAT HAD A LACERATION AND CONCUSSION, MY 1 YEAR OLD SITTING IN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAD NO INJURIES, AND MY HUSBAND IN THE DRIVERS SEAT SUFFERED MINOR HEAD AND SHOULDER INJURIES. GRANTED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE, BUT I EXPECTED A LOT MORE OUT OF THE BLAZER THAN WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10104101
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER…
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ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE BALL JOINTS, AND ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103793
105,000 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IT STRUCK A RETAINING CEMENT WALL. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL, CRACKING IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103371
10,000 miles · Nov 16, 2004
Steering
I HAVE A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER WITH ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT END PARTS ABOUT 4-5 TIMES. WITH OUT FIXING THIS EVERYTIME IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE STEERING BECOMES LOOSE, AND THERE IS MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10100049
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2004
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING THE BALL JOINTS SEPARATED AND BROKE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. WAS TOLD SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY. HOWEVER, CONSUMER FOUND OUT THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW THAT CONSUMER WAS INCLUDED, AND THEY NEED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. H…
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WHILE DRIVING THE BALL JOINTS SEPARATED AND BROKE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. WAS TOLD SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY. HOWEVER, CONSUMER FOUND OUT THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW THAT CONSUMER WAS INCLUDED, AND THEY NEED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE SHOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10099982
127,000 miles · Oct 21, 2004
Structure
WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE FROM A START POSITION OR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE HATCHBACK POPPED OPEN. *JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1996 Chevrolet Blazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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