IllustrationCAR HAD NO HEAT BROUGHT TO DEALER SAID SYS WAS ALL CLOGGED UP AND WAS DUE TO SOMEONE PUTTING IN FOREIGN SUBSTANCE BUT WAS NOT CASE ANTI FREEZE FAILED I'VE HEARD 5000 CARS HAD SAME COMPLAINT BUT GM NOT RESPONDING TO MINE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS DEX COOL PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF U HAVE ANY INFO ON THIS SITUATION
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 reportsWHEN LEAVING A PARKING LOT ON A SUNNY DAY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED FOR NO REASON. THIS CONTINUED FOR NEXT 5 OR 6 TIMES BRAKES WERE USED. THEN WHEN TRYING TO USE BRAKES PEDAL WAS VERY HARD AND HAD VERY LITTLE AFFECT ON SPEED FOR ABOUT 5 - 10 SECONDS. THEN BRAKES ENGAGED HARSHLY DUE TO FORCE I WAS APPLYING.
UPPER LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE, DEALER CLAIMS LACK OF MAINT. WE HAVE RECORDS SHOWING VEHICLE WAS SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES. INCLUDING COMPLETE FRONT END LUBE. GM WILL NOT REIMBURSE OR ADMIT TO ANY FAULT DO TO THE WARRANTY WAS NOT APPLICABLE. PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF CHEVY BLAZER BALL JOINTS BREAKING AND WHEELS FALLING OFF A…
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UPPER LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE, DEALER CLAIMS LACK OF MAINT. WE HAVE RECORDS SHOWING VEHICLE WAS SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES. INCLUDING COMPLETE FRONT END LUBE. GM WILL NOT REIMBURSE OR ADMIT TO ANY FAULT DO TO THE WARRANTY WAS NOT APPLICABLE. PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF CHEVY BLAZER BALL JOINTS BREAKING AND WHEELS FALLING OFF AT HIGH SPEEDS. SAFETY SHOULD ALWAYS COME FIRST. GM SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS.
BRAKE CALIPERS LOCK UP CAUSING DAMAGE TO ROTORS AND PADS.
LEASED VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. VEHICLE TOWED. DEALER CONTACTED AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY. REPAIRS WERE DONE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK.ET.
I CHOSE A CHEVY BLAZER BECAUSE I KNOW THAT CHEVY IS KNOWN FOR THE QUALITY OF THEIR TRUCKS. UNFORTUNATELY I COULDN'T BE ANY MORE DISAPPOINTED WITH MY PURCHASE AND ALSO WITH MY DEALER. EVER SINCE I OWNED MY 1996 CHEVY BLAZER I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONTINUED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AS ME AS A CUSTOMER. I CAN'T …
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I CHOSE A CHEVY BLAZER BECAUSE I KNOW THAT CHEVY IS KNOWN FOR THE QUALITY OF THEIR TRUCKS. UNFORTUNATELY I COULDN'T BE ANY MORE DISAPPOINTED WITH MY PURCHASE AND ALSO WITH MY DEALER. EVER SINCE I OWNED MY 1996 CHEVY BLAZER I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONTINUED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AS ME AS A CUSTOMER. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW UNPROFESSIONAL A DEALERSHIP CAN BE AND ALSO HOW A NEW VEHICLE CAN BE SO UNRELIABLE. THE 4TH DAY I HAD THIS TRUCK 4 -WHEEL DRIVE WENT OUT, I TOOK IT TO WILLIAM CHEVROLET AND THEY TOOK 2 WEEKS TO FIX IT, NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THEY TOLD ME TO RENT A CAR KNOWING THAT I WAS UNDER 25, INSTEAD OF LENDING ME A REPLACEMENT CAR. IN LAST 3 YEARS THE BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT ON ME 8 TIMES, AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T ONCE COVER IT. MY WIPER MOTOR WENT OUT JUST BEFORE THE WIPER PIECE RECALL WENT OUT, I PAID FOR THEM TO FIX IT, AND GIVE ME A NEW MOTOR. BUT THEN, WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE RECALL THEY WOULDN'T REIMBURSE ME FOR THE MOTOR JUST THE PIECE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF THAT PIECE CAUSED MY WIPER MOTOR TO GO OUT THAT WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT? MY HEATER IS NOW NOT WORKING TO IT'S FULLEST AND IT'S THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. WE JUST GOT 21 INCHES OF SNOW AND MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. I WAS UNAWARE THAT MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS NOT WORKING 2 DAYS AGO, I TURNED ONTO INDIANAPOLIS BLVD, AND MY BLAZER DID A 360 IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, ALMOST CAUSING A 4 CAR ACCIDENT. AFTER THAT I CHECKED TO SEE IF MY FRONT WHEEL WERE MOVING, AND OFCOURSE THEY WEREN'T, THEREFORE I ONLY HAVE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ON A $25,000 4X4. THE LAST 2 DAYS HAVE BEEN HELL, FIRST I COULD NOT GET MY TRUCK OUT OF ITS PARKING SPOT AFTER I'D SHOVELED FOR AN HOUR, AFTER I FINALLY GOT IT OUT, IT GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW ABOUT 7 TIMES, WHILE 1989 ESCORTS ARE DRIVING AROUND EFFORTLESSLY. IT'S SO RIDICULOUS, I HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO TAKE MY TRUCK AROUND THE BLOCK BECAUSE IT GETS STUCK IN AN INCH OF SNOW. I'M SITTING HERE NOW BECAUSE MY VEHICLE CAN'T GET ME TO WORK.
REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BE INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPLACED THE REAR WINDSHIELD MOTOR. CURRENT PROBLEM IS JUST LIKE THE RECALL FOR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, RECALL # 98V150000. *AK
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A BIG BANG FROM THE REAR END. DEALER CONTACTED AND STATED THE REAR END WAS BLOWN AND REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE AND ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. PROOVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
TAILGATE HATCH FAILED.
IN NOVEMBER, I NOTICED AN INCREASE IN WIND/AIR NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR TAILGATE. UPON INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS BEING PULLED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE; THE HINGE MECHANISM, THAT HOLDS THE GLASS TO THE VEHICLE, HAS FAILED AND THERE IS ABOUT = INCH GAP BETWEEN THE GLASS AND THE WEATHER SEAL. THIS PRO…
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IN NOVEMBER, I NOTICED AN INCREASE IN WIND/AIR NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR TAILGATE. UPON INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS BEING PULLED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE; THE HINGE MECHANISM, THAT HOLDS THE GLASS TO THE VEHICLE, HAS FAILED AND THERE IS ABOUT = INCH GAP BETWEEN THE GLASS AND THE WEATHER SEAL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE WITH CONTINUED DRIVING AND A DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DO TO " NO FAULT OF MY OWN". CHEVROLET HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WHICH MAY CAUSE EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER AND/OR THE REAR WINDSHIELD TO BE RIPPED FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.