1996 Chevrolet Blazer problems
NHTSA has received 1,579 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, and 32% of them involve brakes. After that come wipers, windshield & visibility (12%) and suspension (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,579 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 32% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 196 and 40
- Injuries and deaths
- 142 and 3
- Typical mileage
- 85,000 miles 158 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 27 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 29 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 46 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 9 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 10 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 14 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Among the 158 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 84,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 82,000 miles (22 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 196 complaints mention a crash; 40 complaints mention a fire; 142 injuries reported; 3 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 22 model years of the Chevrolet Blazer with enough data (931 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
On my way home from work on sept. 21, 2001, I had to sit on I-435-e- freeway for an hour because of a car accident. I was moving no more than 5 to 10 miles an hour. When I got to I-71-n and I took I-71 to the linwood exit going 55 to 60 miles an hour and then 45 to 50 miles an hour and then 55 to 60 and then 45 to 50. I exited linwood to the east, over to indiana (linwood is the 32nd hundrend blook). I went south on indiana to 3318 indiana. I parked my car and went in the house.
On friday october 20, 2006. My son and 3 friends were leaving a friends house. When my son applied his brake to slow, the brakes failed. When they failed the engine revved completely up, throttled out and shut down the vehicle. He of course had no brakes, but now no steering, and the engine was off. Not having any control, the vehicle hit a loose rock, slid into a ditch which then sent them into a series of rollovers no less than 5 no more then 7. The airbags did not deploy.
While driving, vehicle veers to the left, as if out of alignment. Upon putting foot on brakes to slow down, vehicle did not stop. Consumer had an accident, there were two injuries. Consumer states rear axle seal is leaky, when stopping vehicle or slowing, the brake pedal gives way, air bag failed.
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle's brake lines were rusted. An independent repair shop discovered the rusted brake lines and suggested the vehicle be taken to an authorized service dealer. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer who determined that the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. The auto insurer inspected the vehicle for possible damage caused by the towing company and determined that the leakage was due to the rusting.
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.