Model year record

1996 Chevrolet Blazer

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,579 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V159000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,755,876
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-28
Owners notified
2003-06-19

Defect description

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. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V200000

Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
48,600
Reported to NHTSA
2001-06-28
Owners notified
2001-09-04

Defect description

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, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V193000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,125,749
Reported to NHTSA
1999-07-19
Owners notified
2000-05-31

Defect description

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 DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V150001

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,557,585
Reported to NHTSA
1998-07-01
Owners notified
1998-12-15

Defect description

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 INTERMITTENTLY.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V096001

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
586,058
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-12
Owners notified
1997-09-22

Defect description

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. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.

Safety risk

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V234000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
432,183
Reported to NHTSA
1996-11-14
Owners notified
1996-11-21

Defect description

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 LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Safety risk

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip34157,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor7975,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer6779,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission6278,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system5259,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint4972,500 mi
Air bags: frontal3758,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm3575,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline32
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint2972,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components28
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2795,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2548,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2541,000 mi
Suspension: front2511,287 mi
Air bags21145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads20
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum20170,825 mi
Vehicle speed control19150,000 mi
Electrical system17104,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc17
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1632,374 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock16104 mi
Engine and engine cooling1487,734 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor14
Tires14153,000 mi
Unknown or other14
Wheels1385,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1235,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly11
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1187,734 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage10
Suspension1074,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump9178,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic959,000 mi
Structure: frame and members9
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood8174,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift8
Power train: driveline: differential unit885,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper8
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder8
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys7
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch7138,750 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear7
Exterior lighting: headlights641,000 mi
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment672,500 mi
Structure: body: door6
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal6
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system6
Visibility: windshield678,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs6
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery5
Power train: axle assembly585,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission5
Seat belts583,800 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor5
Seats5178,000 mi
Service brakes5142,185 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module581,000 mi
Steering599,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system5
Suspension: rear5
Visibility: power window devices and controls571,331 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior599,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition4
Electrical system: ignition: module4
Electrical system: wiring4
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)470,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch4173,052 mi
Fuel system, gasoline4
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system4
Power train471,331 mi
Structure: body: tailgate4
Suspension: front: wheel bearing4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings3
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack3
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly345,000 mi
Fuel system, other3
Interior lighting345,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3
Seats: front assembly: power adjust3
Seats: front assembly: recliner3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings382,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Steering: linkages3
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments3
Suspension: front: shock absorber3
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor390,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe252,000 mi
Exterior lighting2105,670 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit2
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable2
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft299,000 mi
Power train: driveline: universal joint299,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other2
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm2
Vehicle speed control: cables2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring275,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine1147,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: back up lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch195,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, other: storage1
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1
Latches/locks/linkages1
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1
Parking brake1170,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter185,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Power train: driveline: center support bearing1
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light156,500 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, air: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1
Steering: column1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1101,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1127,000 mi
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments170,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars1178,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1212,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension: lines and fittings1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: multiple axle1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: shackle1
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1
Wheels: hub180,000 mi
Wheels: hubcap/cover1
Wheels: rim1

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.