1988 Chevrolet Blazer
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.
- Complaints
- 41
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Seat belts
Campaigns on file for 1988
Opened by NHTSA
29% of complaints
Complaints per year
1988: 41 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 9 |
| 1985 | 29 |
| 1986 | 19 |
| 1987 | 30 |
| 1988 | 41 |
| 1989 | 40 |
| 1990 | 33 |
| 1991 | 222 |
| 1992 | 280 |
| 1993 | 517 |
| 1994 | 628 |
| 1995 | 1,225 |
| 1996 | 1,153 |
| 1997 | 768 |
| 1998 | 716 |
| 1999 | 436 |
| 2000 | 589 |
| 2001 | 326 |
| 2002 | 246 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 50 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2019 | 188 |
| 2020 | 222 |
| 2021 | 137 |
| 2022 | 52 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 53 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Seat belts
29% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.
Engine and engine cooling
17% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and catalytic convertor.
Show complaint excerpts
When parked wires ignited near fire wall.
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-11-21
Also filed under Electrical system
Electrical system
12% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing front underhood and interior/under dash.
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, 2009-03-17
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)
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-15
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-04
Steering
10% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and pump.
Seats
7% · 3 reportsMost commonly citing recliner.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
1988-12-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-02-27 Steering damper separation
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1993-11-08Service brakes, hydraulic93V119000 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…
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
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.
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2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…
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).
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2007-11-08Equipment07E088000 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.…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1988 Chevrolet Blazer — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Seat belts: 12 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 7 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 5 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 93V119000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Other years of this model
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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.