1996 Chevrolet Blazer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 Chevrolet Blazer
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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, 1996 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 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 1996 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: 213 complaints 2020 2021: 128 complaints 2022: 48 complaints 2023: 42 complaints 2024: 43 complaints 2025: 28 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaints 2026
1996: 1153 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
2020213
2021128
202248
202342
202443
202528
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 43%

43% of complaints: service brakes — 492 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

CAR ACCIDENT WAS MAY 2008 WAS REPORTED TO USAA INSURANCE AND NC COMMISSIONER. I AM FORMER US ARMY SPOUSE AND CONTRACTOR 15 YEARS. I AM BACK AT HOME OF RECORD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150709

On March 23, 2023 ABS Extended Stopping Distance on snow / slush surface proceeding downhill on a 4 lane highway (7200 South Wasatch Blvd. Midvale Utah). Other vehicles around me were stopping without issue.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230328

VISIBILITY 16%

16% of complaints: visibility — 190 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE INTERIOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120821

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%

15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 169 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and gasoline.

FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

DESIGN: MIS-POSITION OF ENGINE VALVE SEALS CAUSES EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION; ALSO, LEAKAGE AT VALVE SEALS COULD CAUSE FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960208

SUSPENSION 14%

14% of complaints: suspension — 167 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing upper ball joint and control arm.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED TWO FRONT WHEELS SUDDENLY WENT TO RIGHT, AND CONSUMER HIT A STONE WALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020912

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 105 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STATES THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID STARTED LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND AND DOWN THE EXHAUST PIPE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STARTED TO FILL WITH SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CAME OFF IN COMSUMER HAND FROM THE HEAT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021022

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19941031 — EA (closed 20000228)

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM

1996 — complaint volume: 1153
R 19961121 — fuel system, gasoline

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Campaign 96V234000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970228 — EA (closed 19970805)

SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION

I 19970417 — EA (closed 19980312)

STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS

R 19970922 — 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. T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Campaign 97V096001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981215 — visibility

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 INTERMI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Campaign 98V150001 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990305 — PE (closed 19990730)

UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BREAKAGE

I 19990714 — RQ (closed 20011228)

FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT FAILURE

I 19990730 — EA (closed 20010828)

UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT

R 19991210 — service brakes, hydraulic

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH OPERATES THE ABS UNIT ON SOME VEHICLES, OR REPLACE THE COMPUTER ON OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ABS ON THESE SURFACES.

Campaign 99I006000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000531 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 D

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

Campaign 99V193000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010904 — suspension

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, MISSO

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

Campaign 01V200000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20011204 — suspension

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1996-1997 4-WHEEL DRIVE CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC

Remedy: GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS SPECIAL POLICY IS FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIR

Campaign 01I018000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020531 — EA (closed 20030723)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

R 20030619 — visibility

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.

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 D

Campaign 03V159000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM

Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Campaign 06E023000 — 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 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Chevrolet Blazer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (492 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (190 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (169 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V234000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V096001 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V150001 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99I006000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V193000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V200000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01I018000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1990 ▲ 1989

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1997 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.