Total Complaints
38 filings
CHEVROLET BLAZER · model year
1987 CHEVROLET BLAZER
38 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1987CHEVROLETBLAZER carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire, 2 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 1987 BLAZER is steering: steering wheel/handle bar with 4 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (3) and structure:frame and members (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 1987 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.
38
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
4 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 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| STEERING:COLUMN | 1 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20050811POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
6/5/05: EBAY AUCTION OF ITEM #4554445898 ENDED. THIS WAS A 1987 CHEVROLET K-5 BLAZER THAT WAS BEING AUCTIONED ON KERRY VOKES EBAY ACCOUNT. THE PURCHASE PRICE THAT I PAID FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS $1400. THIS VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISED ON EBAY BY KERRY VOKES AS A VEHICLE FOR SALE FROM JEFFREY'S AUTO SALES DEALERSHIP. 6/8/05: $410 FOR PLANE TICKETS FROM MINNESOTA TO MASSACHUSETTS. 6/18/05:$50 FOR A HOTEL ROOM DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE SELLING PARTY WOULD NOT RETURN MY CALLS AND COULD NOT BE REACHED. 7/5/05:EBAY DISPUTE ABOUT AN ITEM THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY NOT AS DESCRIBED. THE ODOMETER FOR ONE THING HAD TO EITHER BE SWITCHED OR THE SELLER FALSIFIED THE INFORMATION ON THE ADVERTISEMENT AND THE TITLE. THE TITLE AND THE ADVERTISEMENT ON EBAY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 120,399 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND THAT 120,399 IS THE ACTUAL MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, ASKED WHAT '87 K-5 BLAZER ODOMETERS WENT TO BEFORE TURNING BACK OVER TO ZERO; THE
20050731FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1987 K5 CHEVROLET BLAZER 5.7L EFI (VIN K) POTENTIAL IGNITION SOURCE IN THE FUEL TANK - THE GROUND PATH FOR THE EELS. FUEL PUMP AND LEVEL GAUGE IS PARTIALLY COMPLETED BY USING ONE OF THE METAL PICK-UP TUBES, WHICH IS CRIMPED/FASTENED INTO A METAL COVER THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE GROUND IS THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE CHASSIS BY WAY OF A TAB AND WIRE AFFIXED TO THE COVER ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TANK. THE PROBLEM IS THAT (IN MY SITUATION) THE TUBE THAT PROVIDES THE GROUND PATH CAME LOOSE AND WAS MAKING INTERMITTENT CONTACT WITH THE CRIMP LOCATION IN THE COVER, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE TO INTERMITTENTLY CUT-OUT, AND I WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME A SPARK WAS GENERATED AT EACH MAKE AND/OR BREAK OF THE GROUND CONNECTION. BECAUSE THIS TUBE PASSES THROUGH THE TANK COVER, IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THE SPARK WAS OCCURRING ON THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE TUBE USED FOR THE GROUND PATH, HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE THINNEST, LONGEST TUBES, AND IS ALSO MOST PRONE TO BECOMING DAMAGED IN
Mileage: 106,000
20030124SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER ISABLE TO PULL THE SEAT BELT FOR MORE ROOM DUE TO SEAT BELT SLOT BEING RUSTED. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS. *AK
20021023TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED AND WRAPPED AROUND THE FRONT AXLE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MR THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WAS INJURED. *JB
20000913TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE00020, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: BECAUSE BLAZER BEGAN TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY OWNER WENT TO A TIRE SHOP. FOUND OUT THAT BELTS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SEPARATING FROM TIRE. FIRESTONE, ATX, P20575R15. NOT ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE TIRE MILEAGE, DOT # AND DATE OF INCIDENT.*AK
19991202SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
GOES WILD, OUT OF CONTROL WHEN BRAKING. THIS HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE BOUGHT ( USED).
19991202UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EVER SINCE BOUGHT IN 1993 THE TOP PART OF THE CAB, THE PAINT HAS BEEN WEARING OFF!!!
19991122STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE. THIS CAUSES THE SHIFT LEVER TO MALFUNCTION AND POP OUT OF PARK AND ROLL. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN. *AK
19991122POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE. THIS CAUSES THE SHIFT LEVER TO MALFUNCTION AND POP OUT OF PARK AND ROLL. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN. *AK
19991022SEATS
SEAT RAIL BRACKETS AND BOLTS BULLED LOOSE FROM THE FLOORBOARD LEAVING LARGE HOLES IN THE FLOORBOARD, HAD TO WELD TO USE VEHICLE....BOLTS IN SEAT BACK BRACKET BROKE OFF THREE TIEMS, CAUSING SEAT TO RECLINE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO SEAT FRAME BROKE ON LEFT SIDE OF SEAT.....SEAT BELT LATCH SPRING CAME OUT CAUSING LATCH TO FAIL. CURRENT MILAGE 222,721
19990929FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
SEATS: SHOULDER RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT. SEATS DO NOT STAY IN LOCKED UPRIGHT POSITION, CAN BE FLUNG FORWARD WITH USING LOCK/UNLOCK MECHANISM. CRUISE CONTROL: DOES NOT ENGAGE - REPLACED SERVOR AND LEVER ARM TO FIX PROBLEM. FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM: TRUCK RUNS ROUGH, REPLACED ALTERNATOR, FIXED TIMING (PROBLEM STILL EXISTS). POWER WINDOW/DOOR: WHILE CLOSED AND DRIVING MORE THAN 20MPH, WIND NOISE COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW . ADDITIONAL: AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL HOURS - "CHECK GAGES" LIGHT COMES MOMENTARILY (NO OTHER GAGES INDICATE UNACCEPTABLE READINGS- ONLY COMES ON WHEN COMING TO STOP/PARK - REPLACED ALTERNATOR - PROBLEM STILL EXISTS). POSSIBLE OIL PUMP DEFECT.
19990929VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SEATS: SHOULDER RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT. SEATS DO NOT STAY IN LOCKED UPRIGHT POSITION, CAN BE FLUNG FORWARD WITH USING LOCK/UNLOCK MECHANISM. CRUISE CONTROL: DOES NOT ENGAGE - REPLACED SERVOR AND LEVER ARM TO FIX PROBLEM. FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM: TRUCK RUNS ROUGH, REPLACED ALTERNATOR, FIXED TIMING (PROBLEM STILL EXISTS). POWER WINDOW/DOOR: WHILE CLOSED AND DRIVING MORE THAN 20MPH, WIND NOISE COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW . ADDITIONAL: AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL HOURS - "CHECK GAGES" LIGHT COMES MOMENTARILY (NO OTHER GAGES INDICATE UNACCEPTABLE READINGS- ONLY COMES ON WHEN COMING TO STOP/PARK - REPLACED ALTERNATOR - PROBLEM STILL EXISTS). POSSIBLE OIL PUMP DEFECT.
19990929SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEATS: SHOULDER RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT. SEATS DO NOT STAY IN LOCKED UPRIGHT POSITION, CAN BE FLUNG FORWARD WITH USING LOCK/UNLOCK MECHANISM. CRUISE CONTROL: DOES NOT ENGAGE - REPLACED SERVOR AND LEVER ARM TO FIX PROBLEM. FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM: TRUCK RUNS ROUGH, REPLACED ALTERNATOR, FIXED TIMING (PROBLEM STILL EXISTS). POWER WINDOW/DOOR: WHILE CLOSED AND DRIVING MORE THAN 20MPH, WIND NOISE COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW . ADDITIONAL: AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL HOURS - "CHECK GAGES" LIGHT COMES MOMENTARILY (NO OTHER GAGES INDICATE UNACCEPTABLE READINGS- ONLY COMES ON WHEN COMING TO STOP/PARK - REPLACED ALTERNATOR - PROBLEM STILL EXISTS). POSSIBLE OIL PUMP DEFECT.
19990929VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SEATS: SHOULDER RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT. SEATS DO NOT STAY IN LOCKED UPRIGHT POSITION, CAN BE FLUNG FORWARD WITH USING LOCK/UNLOCK MECHANISM. CRUISE CONTROL: DOES NOT ENGAGE - REPLACED SERVOR AND LEVER ARM TO FIX PROBLEM. FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM: TRUCK RUNS ROUGH, REPLACED ALTERNATOR, FIXED TIMING (PROBLEM STILL EXISTS). POWER WINDOW/DOOR: WHILE CLOSED AND DRIVING MORE THAN 20MPH, WIND NOISE COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW . ADDITIONAL: AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL HOURS - "CHECK GAGES" LIGHT COMES MOMENTARILY (NO OTHER GAGES INDICATE UNACCEPTABLE READINGS- ONLY COMES ON WHEN COMING TO STOP/PARK - REPLACED ALTERNATOR - PROBLEM STILL EXISTS). POSSIBLE OIL PUMP DEFECT.
19990618ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LOOSE PULLY CAUSED FAN BELT TO FAIL. NLM
19981005WHEELS
LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN VEHICLE DAMAGE.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).
19960930CrashFireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, HIT ON DRIVER'S SIDE BEHIND THE DOOR WHERE THE GAS TANK IS LOCATED, AND TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TOTALLY.*AK
19960930ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SERPENTINE BELT FLIPS OFF AND/OR BREAKS CONSTANTLY, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL.
19960719STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET BROKE IN HALF AND LOSS OF STEERING OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING.THE BELT FLEW OFF, CAUSING OTHER SERIOUS DAMAGE. *AK
19960718STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
STEERING BRACKET BOLT ATTACHED TO BOX W/SERPENTINE BELT SHEARS. THIS FAILURE HAS REOCCURED TWICE SINCE REPAIRES.
Compare 1987CHEVROLETBLAZER 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 1987 CHEVROLET BLAZER have?▼
The 1987 CHEVROLET BLAZER has 38 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 CHEVROLET BLAZER?▼
The most-complained component for the 1987 CHEVROLET BLAZER is STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS.
Is the 1987 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.