1996 Chevrolet Blazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Blazer years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 22 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1,153 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer. That ranks 2nd out of 22 Blazer model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (420 complaints, 36%), typically at around 81,000 miles. Complaints mention 158 crashes, 32 fires, 103 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 7 defect investigations involving it.
- 1,153owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 7NHTSA investigations
- 158complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Chevrolet Blazer problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 420 | 36% | 81,000 | “abs brakes” (16%) | — |
| Visibility problems | 182 | 16% | 78,500 | “windshield wipers” (57%) | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 149 | 13% | 83,750 | “water pump” (8%) | $1,250 |
| Suspension problems | 149 | 13% | 73,250 | “ball joints” (41%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 96 | 8% | 81,638 | “dip stick” (8%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 62 | 5% | 104,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags problems | 56 | 5% | 89,000 | “air bag” (48%) | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 31 | 3% | 130,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 30 | 3% | 130,900 | — | — |
| Equipment | 29 | 3% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 29 | 3% | 152,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 28 | 2% | 99,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 | 2% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 22 | 2% | 82,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 21 | 2% | 105,670 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 17 | 1% | 28,302 | — | — |
| Tires | 14 | 1% | 153,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 14 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 11 | 1% | 138,750 | — | — |
| Seats | 11 | 1% | 178,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 5 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 0% | 146,093 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 0% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 3 | 0% | 170,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 0% | 147,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Chevrolet Blazer recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this occurred at a time when minimum stopping distance was required, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Seat belts
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: 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."
Risk: If an ignition source is present, and there is a fuel leak, a fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will install additional shielding of the fuel tank. This will be added without removing or disassembling the fuel system.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Windshield wiper failure (EA02006) — opened May 31, 2002, closed Jul 23, 2003, led to recall 03V159000.
- Upper and lower control arm ball joint (EA99022) — opened Jul 30, 1999, closed Aug 28, 2001, led to recall 01I018000.
- Front seat recliner bolt failure (RQ99015) — opened Jul 14, 1999, closed Dec 28, 2001, led to recall 99V130000.
- Upper control arm ball joint breakage (PE99021) — opened Mar 5, 1999, closed Jul 30, 1999.
- Steering shaft separations (EA97007) — opened Apr 17, 1997, closed Mar 12, 1998.
- Seat belt webbing separation (EA97004) — opened Feb 28, 1997, closed Aug 5, 1997, led to recall 97V096001.
- Abs braking system (EA94038) — opened Oct 31, 1994, closed Feb 28, 2000, led to recall 99I006000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
Other Chevrolet Blazer years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Blazer | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 Blazer | 33 | 1 |
| 2024 Blazer | 51 | 1 |
| 2023 Blazer | 43 | 2 |
| 2022 Blazer | 53 | 1 |
| 2021 Blazer | 137 | 1 |
| 2020 Blazer | 221 | 3 |
| 2019 Blazer | 187 | 2 |
| 2008 Blazer | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 Blazer | 9 | 0 |
| 2006 Blazer | 19 | 0 |
| 2005 Blazer | 15 | 0 |
| 2004 Blazer | 50 | 1 |
| 2003 Blazer | 77 | 1 |
| 2002 Blazer | 246 | 2 |
| 2001 Blazer | 326 | 3 |
| 2000 Blazer | 589 | 4 |
| 1999 Blazer | 436 | 0 |
| 1998 Blazer | 716 | 3 |
| 1997 Blazer | 768 | 4 |
| 1996 | 1,153 | 6 |
| 1995 Blazer | 1,224 | 6 |
See all Chevrolet Blazer problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, visibility, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 420 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Blazer model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.