CHEVROLET BLAZER · model year

2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER

67 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004CHEVROLETBLAZER carries 67 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 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 2004 BLAZER is electrical system with 8 filings, followed by structure:body (4) and service brakes (4). 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. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2004 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.

67
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

67 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
STRUCTURE:BODY4
SERVICE BRAKES4
SUSPENSION3
AIR BAGS3
STEERING2
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
STRUCTURE2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
TIRES2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1

Recalls (1)

04V13200018/03/2004

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Recent Complaints

20180308AIR BAGS

COUPLE WEEK AFTER BOUGHT, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. COST 11OO TO FIX.FEB. 26 LOOK OUT DOOR IN MORNING AND AIR BAGS EXPLODED AND CAUSE ALL ELECTRIC SYSTEM TO GO OUT. BRAKE WAS ON STREET, AIR BAG WAS IN DRIVEWAY AT HOME.

Mileage: 162,327

20180308SERVICE BRAKES

COUPLE WEEK AFTER BOUGHT, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. COST 11OO TO FIX.FEB. 26 LOOK OUT DOOR IN MORNING AND AIR BAGS EXPLODED AND CAUSE ALL ELECTRIC SYSTEM TO GO OUT. BRAKE WAS ON STREET, AIR BAG WAS IN DRIVEWAY AT HOME.

Mileage: 162,327

20180227AIR BAGS

WOKE UP IN MORNING AFTER STORM AND LOOKED OUT TO FIND THAT THE AIR BAG IN BLAZER HAD EXPLODED OUT. SHUT ALL SYSTEM OFF.? THE BLAZER WAS AND IS STILL STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY.

Mileage: 83,000

20160106SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINE CORRODED THROUGH AND LOST REAR BRAKES DURING STOP--DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR PROPERLY---PART NO LONGER AVAILABLE THRU GEN MOTORS--WENT OUT DURING STOP ON HIGHWAY --NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR PEOPLE--GROSELY LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP SAFELY.

Mileage: 70,139

20141204STRUCTURE

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, MY DRIVER'S DOOR FLEW OPEN. NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. I AM ABLE TO MANUALLY MOVE THE LATCH WITH THE DOOR OPEN BUT IT WILL NOT ENGAGE TO SECURE THE DOOR SHUT. *TR

Mileage: 121,000

20141113SERVICE BRAKES

AFTER REPLACING BRAKE PADS ON VEHICLE I WAS PUMPING BRAKES TO BLEED OUT AIR IN THE LINES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. REQUIRED 100% REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKE LINES. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

20140815STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT OF LOWES, THE DOOR HINGE ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILED ALONG WITH LATCH ALLOWING IT FALL OFF. MAKING DOOR UNCLOSABLE AND CAR UNDRIVABLE. AFTER TAKING IT TO REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC SHOWED ME SEVERAL OTHER 2004 CHEVY BLAZERS WITH THE EXACT SAME HINGE FAILURE. HE HAS REPAIRED SO MANY OF THEM WITH THE SAME PROBLEM HE CONCLUDED IT MUST BE A DEFECT. REPAIR COST FOR THIS ARE ESTIMATED AT $1K AS THE HINGE MUST BE REPLACED AND RE ENFORCED, ALONG WITH THE DRIVERS DOOR AND LOCKING LATCH. *TR

Mileage: 125,173

20140701ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNCIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20140701ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNCIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20140701STEERING

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION. THE KEY DOES NOT RELEASE AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CAR MUST BE TURNED BACK ON AND OFTEN MOVED IN REVERSE THEN FORWARD A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THE KEY WILL RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION . *TR

20140701ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION. THE KEY DOES NOT RELEASE AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CAR MUST BE TURNED BACK ON AND OFTEN MOVED IN REVERSE THEN FORWARD A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THE KEY WILL RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION . *TR

20140512SEAT BELTS

2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SEAT BELT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT EXTEND. THE DEALER INDICATED THE BELT WAS PROBABLY KNOTTED WITHIN THE MECHANISM. HE STATED THE COST FOR THE PART AND LABOR WOULD BE AROUND $300.00. *JB

20140407SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR VERY SLOWLY. REPAIRED BRAKES WITH ALL NEW COMPONENTS; ROTORS, PADS, CALIPERS, NEW BRAKE FLUID. BLED BRAKES AND PEDAL IS STILL VERY SPONGY AND PEDAL WILL STILL GO DOWN TO FLOOR AFTER STOPPING. CAR WILL NOT MOVE IF YOU HOLD THE PEDAL DOWN. FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT SPONGY BRAKES ON CHEVROLET CARS.IS THERE A PROBLEM THAT I CAN NOT FIND FOR THESE CARS? *TR

Mileage: 89,630

20140331SUSPENSION

2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION WAS FIXED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, DUE TO THE FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN. IN NOVEMBER 2013, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. PER THE MECHANIC, THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CAME APART, AGAIN AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A HEAVY KEY CHAIN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TWO WHEEL THRUST ALIGNMENT, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SERVICED TWICE WITHIN 7 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JB

Mileage: 12,400

20140331ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION WAS FIXED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, DUE TO THE FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN. IN NOVEMBER 2013, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. PER THE MECHANIC, THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CAME APART, AGAIN AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A HEAVY KEY CHAIN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TWO WHEEL THRUST ALIGNMENT, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SERVICED TWICE WITHIN 7 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JB

Mileage: 12,400

20131231POWER TRAIN

GOT INTO THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING AND WHEN I PLACED IT INTO REVERSE I HEARD A LOUD SHATTERING NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT BACK UP. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE "SUN" GEAR HAD SHATTERED WITH A REPAIR COST OF 2300.00. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO A WEAK GEAR FROM THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER RESEARCHING IT ON LINE I AM FINDING MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE GM CUSTOMER REP WAS VERY SHORT AND STATED THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE NO CLAIM. IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ONGOING PROBLEM GM COULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES AND SAVED A LOT OF GRIEF FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED SOME OF THE EXPENSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

20130808CrashTIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN THE VEHICLE HYDRO PLANED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN BONES AND TORN MUSCLES IN THE ELBOW OF HER LEFT ARM. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND SWELLING TO THE LEFT ANKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED BUT DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20110912VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT BLOW FROM THE VENTS WHEN SET ON LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,101. UPDATED 10/12/11*LJ UPDATED 10/26/11

Mileage: 3,000

20090813FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL EVAPORATION SYSTEM ARE BAD. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20090325ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

2004 CHEVY BLAZER 4.3 V6 VEHICLE 49,000 MILES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING .NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE THEY USED CHEAP PLASTIC GASKET IN COMBINATION WITH DEXCOOL FLUID SOME SAY RESULT IN MELTDOWN OF FUEL LINE GASKET RESULTING IN FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

Compare 2004CHEVROLETBLAZER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER have?
The 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER has 67 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER?
Yes, the 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER?
The most-complained component for the 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2004 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.