CHEVROLET BLAZER · model year

1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER

1579 NHTSA complaints, 196 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996CHEVROLETBLAZER carries 1579 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 196 crashes, 40 fires, 142 injuries, and 3 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 1996 BLAZER is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 341 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (79) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer (67). 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 1996 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.

1579
Complaints
196
Crashes
40
Fires
142
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

1579 filings

Crashes Reported

196 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP341
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR79
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER67
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION62
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM52
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT49
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL37
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM35
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE32
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT29
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS28
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY27
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE25
SUSPENSION:FRONT25
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER25

Recent Complaints

20230328SERVICE BRAKES

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. I noticed my ABS brakes were making the (typical operating sound a type of grinding) and I wasn't stopping. I changed lanes twice to provide for more stopping distance and eventually stopped in the left turn lane within 2 feet from rear-ending other cars had I remained in the inside lane. Located Investigation EA94-038 noting 10,000 complaints, 2000 accidents, 600 injuries. Chevrolet Safety campaign 99I006000 addressing a PCM coding change and replacing the Kelsey Hayes ABS actuator unit. Chevrolet at 800-222-1020 declined to say whether this recall was in force, was a valid recall or had ever existed.

20160531ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE BRAKES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SEIZE AND THE TURN SIGNALS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS, AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,185.

Mileage: 142,185

20160531SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE BRAKES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SEIZE AND THE TURN SIGNALS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS, AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,185.

Mileage: 142,185

20150822CrashAIR BAGS

DRIVING APPROX. 35 MPH NORTH ON 5700 BLK OF TACONY ST PHILADELPHIA PA 19137, 2005 SILVER HONDA PULLS OUT OF DRIVE WAY HITS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER TIRE OF TRUCK, TRUCK THEN SPINS AND FLIPS OVER. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT ALL SUSTAINED INJURIES. WAS TAKEN BY RESCUE TO HOSPITAL.

Mileage: 189,000

20150709CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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. I HAVE LOST OVER $5000 TO THIS INCIDENT AND I DEAL WITH ADDED MEDICAL DISABILITIES FROM THIS DEALING WITH CHRONIC BACK, TBI PTSD AND BRAIN INJURY TO LEFT SIDE. CONFIRMED WITH CAT SCAN AND ARMY WOMACK HOSPITAL. DID NOT HAVE HEALTH CARE AT THE TIME. I HAVE HAD IGNITION SWITCH. THE LIGHT BULB DEALING WITH NC TESTING ISSUES COSTING ME WITH TESTING. OHIO THANKS GOODNESS NOT. BUT BRIGHTS DON'T COME ON. RADIO CLOCK STAYS ON DRAINED BATTERY IN THE PAST. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. I TRIED TO GET A SERVICE BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IN DAYTON , OHIO.....UPDATED10/20/15 *BF

Mileage: 150,000

20150709CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. I HAVE LOST OVER $5000 TO THIS INCIDENT AND I DEAL WITH ADDED MEDICAL DISABILITIES FROM THIS DEALING WITH CHRONIC BACK, TBI PTSD AND BRAIN INJURY TO LEFT SIDE. CONFIRMED WITH CAT SCAN AND ARMY WOMACK HOSPITAL. DID NOT HAVE HEALTH CARE AT THE TIME. I HAVE HAD IGNITION SWITCH. THE LIGHT BULB DEALING WITH NC TESTING ISSUES COSTING ME WITH TESTING. OHIO THANKS GOODNESS NOT. BUT BRIGHTS DON'T COME ON. RADIO CLOCK STAYS ON DRAINED BATTERY IN THE PAST. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. I TRIED TO GET A SERVICE BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IN DAYTON , OHIO.....UPDATED10/20/15 *BF

Mileage: 150,000

20150709CrashEXTERIOR LIGHTING

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. I HAVE LOST OVER $5000 TO THIS INCIDENT AND I DEAL WITH ADDED MEDICAL DISABILITIES FROM THIS DEALING WITH CHRONIC BACK, TBI PTSD AND BRAIN INJURY TO LEFT SIDE. CONFIRMED WITH CAT SCAN AND ARMY WOMACK HOSPITAL. DID NOT HAVE HEALTH CARE AT THE TIME. I HAVE HAD IGNITION SWITCH. THE LIGHT BULB DEALING WITH NC TESTING ISSUES COSTING ME WITH TESTING. OHIO THANKS GOODNESS NOT. BUT BRIGHTS DON'T COME ON. RADIO CLOCK STAYS ON DRAINED BATTERY IN THE PAST. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. I TRIED TO GET A SERVICE BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IN DAYTON , OHIO.....UPDATED10/20/15 *BF

Mileage: 150,000

20150318SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 5/4/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS MIDULE SHORTED OUT. UPDATED 05/07/15*JB

Mileage: 81,000

20150318SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 5/4/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS MIDULE SHORTED OUT. UPDATED 05/07/15*JB

Mileage: 81,000

20131011SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE PERFORMANCE HAD STARTED TO DEGRADE ON LAST TRIP TO LAKE PLACE (200 MILES ROUND TRIP). PEDAL SEEMED SOFTER THAN NORMAL BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED LIT.. ONCE AT HOME CHECK FLUID WHICH WAS LOW. ADDED SOME FLUID. BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT TRIED SEVERAL HARD STOPS IN DRIVE WAY AND PEDAL TRAVEL WENT ALMOST TO FLOOR. OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND ADJACENT TO FUEL TANK ON DRIVERS SIDE. DRIVERS SIDE FRAME RAIL WAS WET WITH BRAKE FLUID. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED DIRT PACKED AROUND REAR BRAKE LINE ON TOP OF RAMP RAIL. BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND TO BE SEVERELY DEGRADED ON TOP OF THE FRAME RAIL EXTENDING ALL THE WAY TO THE JUNCTION WITH THE RUBBER REAR SPLITTER LINE. HAD TO REPLACE LINE FROM JUNCTION AT REAR SPLITTER UP TO THE JUNCTION AT THE FRAME RAIL NEAR THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. VERY DISTURBING TO HAVE A TWO FOOT SECTION OF BRAKE LINE SO SEVERELY COMPROMISED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND RELATED TO THE BUILD UP OF COMPACTED DIRT ON THE FRAME RAIL CARRYING THE REAR

Mileage: 174,000

20130703TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER EQUIPPED WITH DEFINITY TIRES EX600, SIZE 235-70-R15 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BELT BECAME SEPARATED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR AND FRONT TIRES WERE PREMATURELY WORN. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000. UPDATED 12/18/13*CN

Mileage: 153,000

20130529ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 1996 CHEVY BLAZER 4WD 4.3L CENTRAL PORT FUEL INJECTION. THE #4 FUSE WHICH IS MY GAUGE FUSE KEEPS BLOWING AND WHEN IT BLOWS MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ZEROS OUT AND I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT MY SPEED IS WHAT MY RPMS ARE WHAT MY FUEL LEVEL ITS, ETC. MY ALTERNATOR STOPS CHARGING AND MY VEHICAL EVENTUALLY STALLS OUT DUE TO THE BATTERY DRAINING. *TR

Mileage: 147,000

20130529ENGINE

I HAVE A 1996 CHEVY BLAZER 4WD 4.3L CENTRAL PORT FUEL INJECTION. THE #4 FUSE WHICH IS MY GAUGE FUSE KEEPS BLOWING AND WHEN IT BLOWS MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ZEROS OUT AND I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT MY SPEED IS WHAT MY RPMS ARE WHAT MY FUEL LEVEL ITS, ETC. MY ALTERNATOR STOPS CHARGING AND MY VEHICAL EVENTUALLY STALLS OUT DUE TO THE BATTERY DRAINING. *TR

Mileage: 147,000

20120929FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PUT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN. GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND WALKED TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. BY THE TIME GOT BACK TO THE DOOR OF THE CAR TO GET MY THINGS OUT FOR WORK THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 24,000

20120821FireVISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

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. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS FROM THE HEATER. THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20110430FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAVE A 1996 CHEVY BLAZER AND THE GAS HAND FLOATS. IT DOES NOT GIVE AN ACCURATE READING ON THE GAS GAUGE. I CAN DRIVE AND IT WILL FLOAT FROM 1/2 TANK TO 1/4 TANK WHILE DRIVING. IT FLOATS NO MATTER HOW FULL OR EMPTY THE TANK IS. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS DUE TO THE INACCURACIES. I HAVE ANOTHER GM VEHICLE--1993 SUBURBAN THAT HAS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE FREEWAY ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT--ONLY THING THAT SAVED ME AND MY CHILDREN AT 2:00 AM IN THE MORNING WAS THAT I HAVE ROADSIDE. *TR

20100914CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PERFORMED AS DESIGNED BASED ON THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20100618ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON MY 1996 CHEVY BLAZER IT WAS RECENTLY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT I HAD NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE, AS I HAD NO REAR HAZARDS EITHER. THE ONLY OPERATIONAL BRAKE LIGHT WAS THE OVERHEAD CENTER LIGHT. I HAD THE ITEM REPLACED AND RECEIVED THE CAR BACK YESTERDAY, BUT DECIDED TO GOOGLE THE ITEM AND CAME UP WITH THE RECALL #01V364000. THIS RECALL ONLY COVERS GMC RELATED VEHICLES DURING CALENDAR YEARS 2000-2002. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR WORK AND HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART IN MY POSSESSION. *TR

Mileage: 173,052

20100618EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

ON MY 1996 CHEVY BLAZER IT WAS RECENTLY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT I HAD NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE, AS I HAD NO REAR HAZARDS EITHER. THE ONLY OPERATIONAL BRAKE LIGHT WAS THE OVERHEAD CENTER LIGHT. I HAD THE ITEM REPLACED AND RECEIVED THE CAR BACK YESTERDAY, BUT DECIDED TO GOOGLE THE ITEM AND CAME UP WITH THE RECALL #01V364000. THIS RECALL ONLY COVERS GMC RELATED VEHICLES DURING CALENDAR YEARS 2000-2002. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR WORK AND HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART IN MY POSSESSION. *TR

Mileage: 173,052

20100415SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

RIGHT SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION. *TR

Mileage: 11,287

Compare 1996CHEVROLETBLAZER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER have?
The 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER has 1579 NHTSA complaints, 196 crashes, 40 fires, 142 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER?
The most-complained component for the 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 341 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER.
Is the 1996 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.