The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1990 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer 2-DR. 4x4
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—
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When owners complained
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.
Jan 1995peak 7Jan 2002
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 Chevrolet Blazer
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.
EA94029Opened 29 Jul 1994Closed 31 Jul 1996ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.
EA92015Opened 22 May 1992Closed 28 May 1993VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
HIGH IDLE FLARE
PE92001Opened 7 Jan 1992Closed 22 May 1992VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
HIGH IDLE FLARE
EA91028Opened 10 Jun 1991Closed 30 Jun 1992SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FAILURE
===
PE91057Opened 6 Mar 1991Closed 12 Jul 1991EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
PE91052Opened 22 Feb 1991Closed 10 Jun 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1990 Chevrolet Blazer
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.
United States — NHTSA
07E088000
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.
06E043000
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.
06E026000
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.
93V119000
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Pontiac, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD AND THE DASHBOARD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO PUT FIRE OUT.
NHTSA complaint #8002626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danvers, ILFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #560460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VACrash1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH THERE WAS A LOUD THUMBING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TIRE TREAD WAS OFF, AND VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON THE RIM. CONSUMER'S NINE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #863879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Byers, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #849764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millville, PAFire2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT GMC INSTALLED A MOTOR IN TRUCK. WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO START VEHICLE, TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES, INJURYING SEVERAL PEOPLE.
NHTSA complaint #845000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millville, PAFire2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GMC INSTALLED A MOTOR. UPON STARTING VEHICLE, IT BURST INTO FLAMES, INJURING SEVERAL PEOPLE.
NHTSA complaint #845001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Pontiac, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD AND THE DASHBOARD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO PUT FIRE OUT.
NHTSA complaint #8002626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broadview, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE TROUBLE, THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING THEN BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA complaint #560375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danvers, ILFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #560460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #884706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leominster, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WANT TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON THIS BLAZER.
NHTSA complaint #735939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Luis Obispo, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT IS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF, EXPOSING PRIMER UNDERNEATH IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #729625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pleasant Hill, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEATBELT BUCKLE JAMMED INTO SEAT HANDLE RECESS AND CANNOT EXTRACATE; BELIEVE THIS IS DESIGN DEFECT, BUCKLE SHOULD BE LARGER TO AVOID FITTING INTO SEAT LOCK RECESS. CANNOT USE SAFETY BELT, CANNOT RAISE/LOWER SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #729175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT MOUNTING RUSTED OUT. WHILE TRYING TO FASTEN SEATBELT ENTIRE BELT POPPED OUT/.LOOSENED CONSUMER CAN'T FASTEN SEATBELT.
NHTSA complaint #869337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VACrash1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH THERE WAS A LOUD THUMBING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TIRE TREAD WAS OFF, AND VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON THE RIM. CONSUMER'S NINE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #863879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Copperas Cove, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE PAINT ON THE HOOD AND ROOF OF VEHICLE HAS TURNED WHITE AND DISCOLORED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #718366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Byers, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #849764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ONGOING/INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ABS LOCKING UP WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #846117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millville, PAFire2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT GMC INSTALLED A MOTOR IN TRUCK. WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO START VEHICLE, TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES, INJURYING SEVERAL PEOPLE.
NHTSA complaint #845000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millville, PAFire2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GMC INSTALLED A MOTOR. UPON STARTING VEHICLE, IT BURST INTO FLAMES, INJURING SEVERAL PEOPLE.
NHTSA complaint #845001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
White Lake, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DEFECTIVE ABS IS CAUSING LOSS OF BACK BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPLACED DUMP VALVES 5 TIMES, DEFECT IS STILL REOCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #829629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mandeville, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING HEARD THINGS UNDER THE HOOD MAKING NOISE. PULLED OVER AND OPENED HOOD, AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDERNEATH. CALLED THE POLICE, BUT THE FIRE WAS THEN PUT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #832158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forest Hills, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING HOME IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM CAME TO A STOP AT TOP OF STEEP HILL, GETNLY TEPPED THE BRAKES, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE SLID INTO THE BACK OF A TRUCK, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #820690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powder Springs, GACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROX. 15 MPH WHEN HE PRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR VEHICLE IN FRONT MAKING A TURN, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM, THEN HE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND DURING THE SAME CRASH. THERE WAS DRIZZLES OF RAIN AT TIME OF INCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE MORE THAN FIVE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #817861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Genesee, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE DEVELOPED SEVERE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS, INCLUDIN GPULLING AND DRIFTING TO LEFT AND RIGHT. ALSO, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #518504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankfort, IL
SEATS
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, NOTICED SEATS MOVE DUE TO LOOSENESS. THE BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED. CHECKED UNDERNEATH & NOTICED MOUNTING PLATE METAL FOR SEAT WAS RUSTY & HAD CORRODED AWAY. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #815135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Genesee, MI
TIRES
EXCESSIVE AND IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #518504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grants Pass, ORCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES, WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #812889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilbraham, MA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE RUSTED, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #811549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paradise, CAFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION FLUID SPEWED OUT VENT/FILLER TUBE ONTO MANIFOLD, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #516956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mertztown, PA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR JAMMED.
NHTSA complaint #515056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.