Total Complaints
35 filings
CHEVROLET BLAZER · model year
1985 CHEVROLET BLAZER
35 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1985CHEVROLETBLAZER carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1985 BLAZER is steering: steering wheel/handle bar with 4 filings, followed by seat belts (3) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1985 BLAZER, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
35
Complaints
7
Crashes
4
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
7 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE | 1 |
| TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20120301ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE OIL COOLING LINES ARE WEEPING. WHEN I LOOK THE PROBLEM UP ONLINE I FINE A RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER: 85C1466A AUG 85 CAMPAIGN - ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE MAY BURST. AND 85C1466AZ AUG 85 CAMPAIGN - ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE MAY FAIL. CONTAINED IN THE RECALL DOCUMENT: "DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY: "DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME FORWARD." I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT DEALERS ARE NOT HONORING THIS RECALL ANY LONGER. IS THERE A TIME LIMIT WHEN THEY HAVE STATED: "DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME FORWARD."? *TR
20010206STRUCTURE:BODY
CLIENT INJUIRED WHEN ROOF CRUSHED IN DURING ROLLOVER, POSSIBLY RELATED TO STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *CJ
20001219TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING, SOME OF THE TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE. TIRE NAME & SIZE, UNIROYAL LARADO, P23575R15. *CJ
20000818STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
WHILE STEPPING DOWN AND OUT OF THE BACK DOOR, CONSUMER SLIPPED DOWN OFF TAILGATE, CONSUMER FEELS THIS VERY UNSAFE.*AK
20000724SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BRACKET FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE, ONCE WHILE IN USE. NLM
20000630POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING IN VEHICLE - TOOK TO JOY TRANSMISSION SERVICE BECAUSE OF AD SEEN IN LOCAL PAPER STATING $200 COMPLETE TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL - TOOK IN 1/6/1998 PROMISED TO COMPLETE BY 1/8/98 KEPT VEHICLE 6 DAYS - THEY CALLED ON 6TH DAY AND STATED THE TRANSMISSION TORN DOWN AND WOULD COST ANOTHER $350 TO "REASSEMBLE" EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T DO THE REPAIR TO IT OR THEY COULD RETURN THE VEHICLE IN PIECES AND WE COULD REASSEMBLE OURSELVES - WE GAVE THEM AND ADDITIONAL $350- THEY PROMISED VEHICLE WOULD BE COMPLETELY REPAIRED ON NEXT DAY 2 DAYS LATER CALLED AND SAID THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED - WENT TO PICK UP VEHICLE - VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND THE STEREO FACEPLATED WAS MISSING BUT OWNER SUDDENLY PULLED OUT OF BOTTOM DESK DRAWER WHEN OUR TEMPERS BEGAN TO SHOW. 2 WEEKS AFTER VEHICLE RETURNED IT BEGAN TO LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID RAPIDLY - RETURNED VEHICLE THEY KEPT 3 DAYS AND SAID IT WAS "FIXED FOR GOOD THIS TIME" 2 WEEKS AFTER VEHICLE RETURNED BEGAN TO POUR TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE BOTT
19990426FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE.
19990115STEERING:COLUMN
WHERE THE TILT IS ON VEHICLE HAS LOOSENED UP. THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE AND WOBBLES A LOT. *AK
19981211ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE GOT MIXED UP AND THE VEHICLE ISN'T WORKING. ALSO, THERE IS FUEL COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER THINKS THE PROBLEM IS A HOLE IN THE SLEEVE OF ENGINE PISTON. *AK
19981211ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE GOT MIXED UP AND THE VEHICLE ISN'T WORKING. ALSO, THERE IS FUEL COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER THINKS THE PROBLEM IS A HOLE IN THE SLEEVE OF ENGINE PISTON. *AK
19980430SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
RUBBER PLUG ON SIDE OF PROPORTIONAL VALVE FAILED, CAUSING PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKES.
19980407SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF TENSION
19980119STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
FRAME CRACKED WHERE STEERING BOX BOLTS TO FRAME.
19971025SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER/VACUUM BOOSTER REPLACED TWICE. *AK
19971025SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
MASTER CYLINDER/VACUUM BOOSTER REPLACED TWICE. *AK
19971023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY RESIST. WHEN THIS HAPPENS DRIVER HAS TO STAND ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
19970627ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
EMISSION SYSTEM FAILURE.
19970627ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE
19970216CrashFireSEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT FAILURE.
19970216CrashFireSEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT FAILURE.
Compare 1985CHEVROLETBLAZER to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1985 CHEVROLET BLAZER have?▼
The 1985 CHEVROLET BLAZER has 35 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1985 CHEVROLET BLAZER?▼
The most-complained component for the 1985 CHEVROLET BLAZER is STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1985 CHEVROLET BLAZER safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.