1996 Chevrolet Blazer

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #03V159000April 28, 20031,755,876 vehicles affected

  visibility: windshield wiper/washer

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #01V200000June 28, 200148,600 vehicles affected

  suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #99V193000July 19, 19991,125,749 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #98V150001July 1, 19981,557,585 vehicles affected

  visibility: windshield wiper/washer

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V096001June 12, 1997586,058 vehicles affected

  seat belts

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #96V234000November 14, 1996432,183 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

  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."

  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.

Other model years

• 1985 29
• 1987 30
• 1988 40
• 1989 38
• 1990 32
• 1991 222
• 1992 278
• 1993 511
• 1994 620
• 1995 1,224
• 1996
• 1997 768
• 1998 716
• 1999 436
• 2000 589
• 2001 326
• 2002 246
• 2003 77
• 2004 50
• 2019 189
• 2020 224
• 2021 141
• 2022 54
• 2023 44
• 2024 52
• 2025 34