ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.
FaultScore report
Owners have filed 47 complaints about the 1989 Chevrolet Blazer with NHTSA between 1995 and 2017. The largest single group is the brakes.
47
Complaints
10
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
2 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 3 fires
0 crashes, 3 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.
FIRE IN DASH/INSTRUM.CLSTR
HIGH IDLE FLARE
HIGH IDLE FLARE
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
EQUIPMENT
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE BURN DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *SCC (OHIO TRAFFIC POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #567657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHERE THE SEAT BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO JAM KNEES AGAINST THE DASHBOARD. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON THE 6TH OF DECEMBER 2000, MY S10 BLAZERS THROTLE PLATE STUCK, WIDE OPEN WHILE I WAS REARANGING THE TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT THEN SENT ME FLYING INTO MY NEIGHBORS BACK YARD, WHERE I TOOK OUT A HEDGE ROW, A BIRD FEEDER, AND A COUPLE SMALL PINE TREES. THEN I PROCEDED INTO THE YARD BEHIND MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE, WHERE I SMASHED INTO A MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZED TREE, WHICH DID NOT STOP MY VEHICLE, OR UNSTICK THE THROTTLE. THEN MY TRUCK CONTINUED INTO THERE NEIGHBORS YARD WHERE I WAS HEADED STRAIGHT FOR THE BACK OF THERE HOUSE, SO INSTEAD OF HITTING THERE HOUSE I AIMED THE TRUCK INTO A LARGE MAPLE TREE. WHICH FINALLY STOPED THE TRUCK, AND ALSO SENT MY CHEST AND MY FACE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND MY HEAD INTO THE WINDSHEILD. I SUFFERED A MINOR CONCUTION, A CRACKED STURNUM, AND 3 RIBS. ALONG WITH A FEW CUTS AND BUMPS, AND A TOTALED TRUCK!
NHTSA complaint #737547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WIFE AND SON REPORTED BRAKES NOT WORKING. HAD CHECKED AT MAXI MUFFLER SAID NEEDED PADS AND SHOES, REPLACED THEM MYSELF AND CHECKED WHEEL CYLINDERS AND MASTER CYLINDER ALL OK. SON STILL REPORTED BRAKE LOSS. RECHECKED EVERYTHING, CHECKED OK. SON HAD ACCIDENT. REPAIR SHOP THAT IS REPAIRING BLAZER SAID PART WAS HARD TO DETECT IF NOT FAMILIAR. THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL S10'S WITH SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #736743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WIFE AND SON REPORTED BRAKES NOT WORKING. HAD CHECKED AT MAXI MUFFLER SAID NEEDED PADS AND SHOES, REPLACED THEM MYSELF AND CHECKED WHEEL CYLINDERS AND MASTER CYLINDER ALL OK. SON STILL REPORTED BRAKE LOSS. RECHECKED EVERYTHING, CHECKED OK. SON HAD ACCIDENT. REPAIR SHOP THAT IS REPAIRING BLAZER SAID PART WAS HARD TO DETECT IF NOT FAMILIAR. THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL S10'S WITH SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #736743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION TURNED OFF FOR AROUND FIVE MINUTES, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND THE DASH AREA/HEATER AND RADIO. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS, PE94-050.
NHTSA complaint #860549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE AND FUEL LINES ROTTED AWAY FUEL LEAKING LOST OF BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUIDS GAS TANK RUSTED AND LEAKING FUEL FLOOR RUSTED AWAY SEATS BROKE LOOSE OF MOUNTS
NHTSA complaint #11030591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BRAKE AND FUEL LINES ROTTED AWAY FUEL LEAKING LOST OF BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUIDS GAS TANK RUSTED AND LEAKING FUEL FLOOR RUSTED AWAY SEATS BROKE LOOSE OF MOUNTS
NHTSA complaint #11030591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I HAVE A 89' S10 BLAZER THAT HAS HAD THE FRONT FAN DETACH, I REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR (DUE TO THE FAN COMING OF IT CUT INTO THE RADIATOR) AND THE SERPENTINE BELT. AFTER FIXING THE PROBLEM IT OCCURRED AGAIN. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR ANY INFORMATION AND FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE YEAR TRUCK AND PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING, CURIOUS AS TO HOW TO GO ABOUT THE RECALL OR IF IT APPLYS TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10178586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I HAVE A 89' S10 BLAZER THAT HAS HAD THE FRONT FAN DETACH, I REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR (DUE TO THE FAN COMING OF IT CUT INTO THE RADIATOR) AND THE SERPENTINE BELT. AFTER FIXING THE PROBLEM IT OCCURRED AGAIN. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR ANY INFORMATION AND FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE YEAR TRUCK AND PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING, CURIOUS AS TO HOW TO GO ABOUT THE RECALL OR IF IT APPLYS TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10178586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE TREAD ON DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF, BUT THE TIRE STAYED IN ACT. THE TRIM FOR THE WHEEL WELL TORE, AND THE EXHAUST WAS PINCHED , NEARLY CLOSED. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO FIRESTONE AND THEY CHECKED IT. THE MECHANIC STATED IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THEY WERE GIVEN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER FOR FIRESTONE. FIRESTONE STATE THE TIRE HAD TO BE MAILED TO THEM TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WILL REPLACE IT. THERE WAS NEARLY A CRASH. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 25, 2005. *AK THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10132448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE BURN DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *SCC (OHIO TRAFFIC POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #567657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT. STEERING IS LOOSE. CAN'T HOLD VEHICLE IN ROAD. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8010239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT. STEERING IS LOOSE. CAN'T HOLD VEHICLE IN ROAD. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8010239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
THIS IS THE THIRD FULL SIZE BLAZER THAT I HAVE OWNED ALL 3 HAVE DONE THE SAME THING IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT WITH NO RUST OR ROT PRESENT OR PRIOR DAMAGEOR ALTICATIONS DONE TO VEHICLE THIS IS A VERY BAD SAFTEY DEFECT I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH SWITCHING LANES WHEN THIS SNAPPED AND I LOST MY STEERING WHEN I GOT IT TO A SHOP THEY SAID THIS IS COMMON ON CHEVROLET BLAZERS BECAUSE THE FRAME IS TO THIN TO HANDLE THE STRESS AT THAT SPOT.
NHTSA complaint #760328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHERE THE SEAT BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO JAM KNEES AGAINST THE DASHBOARD. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT HOUSING HAS RUSTED OUT WERE ANCHOR ATTACHES TO PILLAR OF VEHICLE . IF SEAT BELT IS PULLED TOO HARD IT MIGHT BREAK. DEALR HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #881679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
B.F.GOODRICH TIRES, 33 X 1250R15LT, DOT BEP68L1297 EXPERIENCING CRACKING WHERE TREAD MEETS SIDEWALL. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON THE 6TH OF DECEMBER 2000, MY S10 BLAZERS THROTLE PLATE STUCK, WIDE OPEN WHILE I WAS REARANGING THE TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT THEN SENT ME FLYING INTO MY NEIGHBORS BACK YARD, WHERE I TOOK OUT A HEDGE ROW, A BIRD FEEDER, AND A COUPLE SMALL PINE TREES. THEN I PROCEDED INTO THE YARD BEHIND MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE, WHERE I SMASHED INTO A MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZED TREE, WHICH DID NOT STOP MY VEHICLE, OR UNSTICK THE THROTTLE. THEN MY TRUCK CONTINUED INTO THERE NEIGHBORS YARD WHERE I WAS HEADED STRAIGHT FOR THE BACK OF THERE HOUSE, SO INSTEAD OF HITTING THERE HOUSE I AIMED THE TRUCK INTO A LARGE MAPLE TREE. WHICH FINALLY STOPED THE TRUCK, AND ALSO SENT MY CHEST AND MY FACE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND MY HEAD INTO THE WINDSHEILD. I SUFFERED A MINOR CONCUTION, A CRACKED STURNUM, AND 3 RIBS. ALONG WITH A FEW CUTS AND BUMPS, AND A TOTALED TRUCK!
NHTSA complaint #737547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WIFE AND SON REPORTED BRAKES NOT WORKING. HAD CHECKED AT MAXI MUFFLER SAID NEEDED PADS AND SHOES, REPLACED THEM MYSELF AND CHECKED WHEEL CYLINDERS AND MASTER CYLINDER ALL OK. SON STILL REPORTED BRAKE LOSS. RECHECKED EVERYTHING, CHECKED OK. SON HAD ACCIDENT. REPAIR SHOP THAT IS REPAIRING BLAZER SAID PART WAS HARD TO DETECT IF NOT FAMILIAR. THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL S10'S WITH SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #736743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WIFE AND SON REPORTED BRAKES NOT WORKING. HAD CHECKED AT MAXI MUFFLER SAID NEEDED PADS AND SHOES, REPLACED THEM MYSELF AND CHECKED WHEEL CYLINDERS AND MASTER CYLINDER ALL OK. SON STILL REPORTED BRAKE LOSS. RECHECKED EVERYTHING, CHECKED OK. SON HAD ACCIDENT. REPAIR SHOP THAT IS REPAIRING BLAZER SAID PART WAS HARD TO DETECT IF NOT FAMILIAR. THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL S10'S WITH SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #736743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE CURRENT PROBLEMS WITH FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRES HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 1989. I HAD ONE COMPLETELY SELF DESTRUCT FOR NO APPARANT REASON AND THE FIRESTONE DEALER I TRIED TO WORK WITH LAUGHED AT ME AND THOUGHT THE WHOLE INCIDENT WAS FUNNY. I WENT STRAIGHT TO A B.F.GOODRICH DEALER AND HAD THE FIRESTONES REMOVED AND TRASHED. I'LL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FIRESTONE TIRE AND I TELL EVERYONE WHO WILL LISTEN ABOUT THE DANGER OF OWNING FIRESTONE TIRES. THANK YOU. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235X75X15 )
NHTSA complaint #727566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION TURNED OFF FOR AROUND FIVE MINUTES, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND THE DASH AREA/HEATER AND RADIO. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS, PE94-050.
NHTSA complaint #860549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD WENT BLANK UPON START UP. A PUFF OF SMOKE PRECEEDED THE PROBLEM. THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THIS TYPE OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS DUE TO FIRE. IF SO, PLEASE INFORM ME SO I CAN LET THE DEALER KNOW.
NHTSA complaint #720927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN BRAKING THE PEDAL GOES COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. NM
NHTSA complaint #545297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POST THAT THE SEAT RESTRAINT BOLT HAS RUSTED OUT. WHEN SEAT IS PUSHED FORWARD CAN SEE TO THE GROUND BECAUSE OF THE RUST. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #820799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CLUSTER MODULE DIED OUT, HAD NO DASHBOARD GAUGES. GAS INDICATOR/SPEEDODOMETER/ ODOMETER/TEMPERATURE GAUGE ETC. ALL READINGS ARE NOT NOTICEABLE., DEALER CONTACTED AND WILL REPAIR AT OWNERS EXPENSE OF $500.
NHTSA complaint #827835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE. PART NEEDED FOR REPAIR IS DISCONTINUED AS REPLACEMENT PART. DEALER STATES THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE AFTER FIVE YEARS, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER FINALLY RECEIVED PARTS FROM GM ON AUG 14. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #826442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
PE94-050; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASH AREA. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #826091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER WAS HIT ON DRIVER' SIDE. CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS RESTRAINT IN SEATBELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. SEAT BOLTED INTO U-SHAPE. DEFECT IN SEAT BELT CAUSED THE CHILD TO BE THROWN OUT OF SIDE WINDOW ABOUT 30 FEET.SEAT BELT HAD UNLATCHED FROM BUCKLE .
NHTSA complaint #823988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DURING REAR IMPACT AT 10 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #823072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.