1996 Chevrolet BLAZER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
618 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
84,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 105 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 103 of 618 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 150 | 24.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 36 | 5.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 28 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 25 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 1.5% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 103 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 58 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 45 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 42 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 37 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 30 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 28 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 25 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 103; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 58; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 45; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 42; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 37; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 30; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 28; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 25
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 35 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 35; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 15
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 513 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 30 |
| 2000 | 171 |
| 2001 | 146 |
| 2002 | 102 |
| 2003 | 70 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 30; 2000: 171; 2001: 146; 2002: 102; 2003: 70; 2004: 31; 2005: 16; 2006: 20; 2007: 5; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 150 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 36 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 28 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001385 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES THEY CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002291 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
AIRBAG MODULE IS DEFECTIVE DUE TO A DIAGNOSTIC ENERGY RESERVE MODULE DROPPING BELOW NORMAL. CONSUMER FEELS AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY.THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. TS...*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002294 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
CONSUMER IS CONCERN THAT AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN IMPACT DUE TO A DEFECTED DIAGNOSTIC ENERGY RESERVE MODULE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002294 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003428 · 2003-01-26 (January 26, 2003)
JUST BROUGHT 96 BLAZERLS WITH 82,000 IN DEC.02. WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THEY HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 20,000. WELL,83,000 MILES THE HEATER WAS ON HOT BLOWING WHEN I NOTICED THAT IT TURN COLD AND THE GAGE WENT TO THE RED ZONE. I IMMEDIATELY TURN SWICHES OFF ON THE BLOWER IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. TWO DAYS LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT I TURN OFF THE HEATER AND BLOWER COMPLETELY IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. WE THOUGHT THE TERMOSTACT GOT STUCK AND REPLACED IT . AT THAT TIME WE NOTICE THAT IT WAS GEL UP OVER THE TERMOSTACT, AFTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003709 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003805 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE OVER HEATED, DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003816 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE TIRE/WHEEL PROBLEMS. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 53,972 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004218 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED HATCH BACK LATCH BECOMES LOOSE IN RESULT OF EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING INTO VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004218 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V200000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
Reported: 2001-06-28 (June 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: 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 campaign record ↗03V159000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2003-04-28 (April 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: 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 campaign record ↗96V234000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1996-11-14 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V096001 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1997-06-12 (June 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: 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 campaign record ↗98V150001 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 1998-07-01 (July 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: 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 campaign record ↗99V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 1999-07-19 (July 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: 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 campaign record ↗