1989 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 PER YEAR
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 | 1225 |
| 1996 | 1153 |
| 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 | 185 |
| 2020 | 215 |
| 2021 | 129 |
| 2022 | 49 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
25% of complaints: service brakes — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
BRAKE AND FUEL LINES ROTTED AWAY FUEL LEAKING LOST OF BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUIDS GAS TANK RUSTED AND LEAKING FUEL FLOOR RUSTED AWAY SEATS BROKE LOOSE OF MOUNTS
NHTSA ODI report, 20170929
Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
18% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
SHORT IN WIRING UNDER DASH. *SKD
NHTSA ODI report, 19941228
I HAVE A 89' S10 BLAZER THAT HAS HAD THE FRONT FAN DETACH, I REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR (DUE TO THE FAN COMING OF IT CUT INTO THE RADIATOR) AND THE SERPENTINE BELT. AFTER FIXING THE PROBLEM IT OCCURRED AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20070112
18% of complaints: seat belts — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE BURN DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *SCC (OHIO TRAFFIC POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA ODI report, 20021022
THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED AND THEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. STARTED IN THE ENGINE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19951103
8% of complaints: seats — 3 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
HIGH IDLE FLARE
HIGH IDLE FLARE
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
FIRE IN DASH/INSTRUM.CLSTR
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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
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
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
1989 Chevrolet Blazer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seat belts issues (7 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
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1989 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Chevrolet Blazer is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Chevrolet Blazer?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 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.