1988 Chevrolet Blazer

▲ Better than typical
1988 Chevrolet Blazer
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:50:10.596Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Blazer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 9 complaints 1985: 29 complaints 1985 1986: 19 complaints 1987: 30 complaints 1988: 41 complaints 1988 1989: 40 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 222 complaints 1992: 280 complaints 1993: 517 complaints 1994: 628 complaints 1995: 1225 complaints 1995 1996: 1153 complaints 1997: 768 complaints 1998: 716 complaints 1999: 436 complaints 2000: 589 complaints 2000 2001: 326 complaints 2002: 246 complaints 2003: 77 complaints 2004: 50 complaints 2005: 15 complaints 2005 2006: 19 complaints 2007: 9 complaints 2008: 5 complaints 2019: 185 complaints 2020: 215 complaints 2020 2021: 129 complaints 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 42 complaints 2024: 45 complaints 2025: 30 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaints 2026
1988: 41 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19811
19821
19834
19849
198529
198619
198730
198841
198940
199033
1991222
1992280
1993517
1994628
19951225
19961153
1997768
1998716
1999436
2000589
2001326
2002246
200377
200450
200515
200619
20079
20085
2019185
2020215
2021129
202249
202342
202445
202530
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SEAT BELTS 29%

29% of complaints: seat belts — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and catalytic convertor.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN PARKED WIRES IGNITED NEAR FIRE WALL.

NHTSA ODI report, 19951121

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and interior/under dash.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT FOUND HIS VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN THE PARKING LOT OF A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER. HE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE JUST MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090317

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM THE DASH AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT #10-91-526) *YH

NHTSA ODI report, 20021015

UPON PULLING INTO A REST AREA ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD/PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER, PASSENGER SUFFERED FROM SMOKE INHALATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960904

STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and pump.

SEATS 7%

7% of complaints: seats — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing recliner.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19881214 — PE (closed 19890227)

STEERING DAMPER SEPARATION

R 19931108 — service brakes, hydraulic

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE N

Campaign 93V119000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071108 — equipment

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. TH

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Chevrolet Blazer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 93V119000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1996 ■ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.