75 of the
1,579 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer are about the
electrical system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
101,500 miles.
F
75
Complaints
2
Crashes
17
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
1722.7%
12V/24V/48V Battery
1621.3%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1216.0%
Front Underhood
810.7%
Ignition
45.3%
Wiring
45.3%
Module
45.3%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
45.3%
Starter Assembly
22.7%
Interior/Under Dash
11.3%
Electrical System across every Chevrolet Blazer year
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 TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS, AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,185.
NHTSA complaint #10871589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesDayton, OHCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 INJURY TO LEFT SIDE. CONFIRMED WITH CAT SCAN AND ARMY WOMACK HOSPITAL. DID NOT HAVE HEALTH CARE AT THE TIME. I HAVE HAD IGNITION SWITCH. THE LIGHT BULB DEALING WITH NC TESTING ISSUES COSTING ME WITH TESTING. OHIO THANKS GOODNESS NOT. BUT BRIGHTS DON'T COME ON. RADIO CLOCK STAYS ON DRAINED BATTERY IN THE PAST. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. I TRIED TO GET A SERVICE BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IN DAYTON , OHIO.....UPDATED10/20/15
NHTSA complaint #10733065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,000 milesTWO Rivers, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1996 CHEVY BLAZER 4WD 4.3L CENTRAL PORT FUEL INJECTION. THE #4 FUSE WHICH IS MY GAUGE FUSE KEEPS BLOWING AND WHEN IT BLOWS MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ZEROS OUT AND I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT MY SPEED IS WHAT MY RPMS ARE WHAT MY FUEL LEVEL ITS, ETC. MY ALTERNATOR STOPS CHARGING AND MY VEHICAL EVENTUALLY STALLS OUT DUE TO THE BATTERY DRAINING.
NHTSA complaint #10514094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesChattanooga, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PUT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN. GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND WALKED TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. BY THE TIME GOT BACK TO THE DOOR OF THE CAR TO GET MY THINGS OUT FOR WORK THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR WAS ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10477974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,052 milesGlendale, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON MY 1996 CHEVY BLAZER IT WAS RECENTLY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT I HAD NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE, AS I HAD NO REAR HAZARDS EITHER. THE ONLY OPERATIONAL BRAKE LIGHT WAS THE OVERHEAD CENTER LIGHT. I HAD THE ITEM REPLACED AND RECEIVED THE CAR BACK YESTERDAY, BUT DECIDED TO GOOGLE THE ITEM AND CAME UP WITH THE RECALL #01V364000. THIS RECALL ONLY COVERS GMC RELATED VEHICLES DURING CALENDAR YEARS 2000-2002. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR WORK AND HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART IN MY POSSESSION.
NHTSA complaint #10336918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 96 CHEVY BLAZER. MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE DOA, THE TOP STRIP IS WORKING BUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ITSELF ARE NOT. I CHANGED EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND STILL NOTHING. I WENT ONLINE AND ALSO SAW OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FRUSTRATION. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART BUT FOR A 2001. THEY ALSO ESTIMATED THAT THE SWITCH AND THE LABOR WOULD COST $700!!!! I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THE PART ITSELF FOR $369. I HAVE NOT YET FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS A PROBLEM TO MANY CHEVY LOVERS AND CHEVY SHOULD BE LIABLE TO FIX IT CAUSE IT WAS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10247333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cary, NCCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
THE REAR TURN LAMP DO NOT COME ON WHEN THE BRAKES ARE ENGAGED. THIS MALFUNCTION MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10173479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 174,000 milesSevierville, TNFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLAMES WERE NOTICED DROPPING TO THE GROUND UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. GREY SMOKE WAS ALSO OBSERVED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY, AND WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT PROCESSED AT THE SCENE. THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE MELTED THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF IT, AND DID MODERATE DAMAGE TO A THIRD VEHICLE PARKED ALONGSIDE THE SECOND VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 12/01/06.
NHTSA complaint #10172344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesKutztown, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECENTLY INVESTIGATED A FIRE ON A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER. FIRE ORIGIN IS AT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR PANEL AT THE POWER MIRROR SWITCH. IF ANY ONE ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED A FIRE IN THIS LOCATION PLEASE CONTACT ME AT 610-392-XXXX AND NHSTA.
NHTSA complaint #10170756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,253 milesHays, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE STALLS AT STOP LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, AND WHILE AT STOP WITH ENGINE IDLING. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS OVER 70 DEGREES. IT HAS BEEN TO A MECHANIC 5 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. PARTS REPLACED - FUEL PUMP ONE YEAR AGO, MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, EGR HAS BEEN CLEANED ONCE AND REPLACED ONCE. THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. TWO OTHER SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED - PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10155009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE ALTERNATORS HAVE TO KEEP BEING REPLACED. SINCE I'VE BOUGHT THE TRUCK, IT HAS HAD 5 ALTERNATORS PUT ON. AC DELCO BRAND. THE TRUCK HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT SO FAR. WHEN THE ALTERNATORS GO BAD THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT COME ON AND ONCE IT DIES THE TRUCK CUTS OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10131561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pataskala, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALLS FOR 1996 CHEVROLET S10 BLAZER. *MR THE VEHICLE'S HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. DURING A ROUTINE CHECK THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DEX COOL COOLANT HAD TURNED INTO A REDDISH CLAY-LIKE SUBSTANCE. GIVEN THE CONDITION OF THE COOLANT THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO FLUSH THE SYSTEM. AFTER THE SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE BEGAN TO LEAK. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO FAILED AND AS A RESULT ONLY FIRST GEAR AND REVERSE WERE OPERATIONAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT ONE AND REPLACED THE VCM.
NHTSA complaint #10073798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesNoblesville, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1996 CHEV BLAZER, WE HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE, THE BATTERY 3 TIMES AND IF IT IS NOT STARTED AND OR DRIVEN EVERY DAY, THEN WE HAVE TO JUMP IT ? WHAT CAN THE PROBLEM BE. IT ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE IT ALL WEEK AND ON SATURDAY, DID NOT DRIVE IT ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY MORNING I HAD TO GET IT JUMPED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOMETIME ? I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND ANOTHER MECHANIC AND ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS PUT ANOTHER ALTERNATOR ON IT. I DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR A 3RD ALTERNATOR ????? HELP !!!!! WE HAVE CHECK ALL INTEROR LIGHTS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN LEFT ON. WHAT IS DRAINING THE BATERY AND OR ALTERNATOR ??? WE ALSO HAVE THE GURGLING NOISE IN COMPLAINT # 735807. THANKS ALICE M. EADS.
NHTSA complaint #10062197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesNoblesville, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1996 CHEV BLAZER, WE HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE, THE BATTERY 3 TIMES AND IF IT IS NOT STARTED AND OR DRIVEN EVERY DAY, THEN WE HAVE TO JUMP IT ? WHAT CAN THE PROBLEM BE. IT ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE IT ALL WEEK AND ON SATURDAY, DID NOT DRIVE IT ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY MORNING I HAD TO GET IT JUMPED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOMETIME ? I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND ANOTHER MECHANIC AND ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS PUT ANOTHER ALTERNATOR ON IT. I DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR A 3RD ALTERNATOR ????? HELP !!!!! WE HAVE CHECK ALL INTEROR LIGHTS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN LEFT ON. WHAT IS DRAINING THE BATERY AND OR ALTERNATOR ??? WE ALSO HAVE THE GURGLING NOISE IN COMPLAINT # 735807. THANKS ALICE M. EADS.
NHTSA complaint #10062197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesMount Pocono, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY 1996 CHEVY BLAZER BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOWED THE CAR WAS NOT OVER HEATING. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO ALLOW THE SMOKE TO CLEAR AND PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE. AFTER 5 MINUTES THE CAR CONTINUED TO SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. I NOTICED A BLACK SPOT ON THE HOOD AND HAD THE SENSE TO REALIZE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE WITHOUT TRYING TO LIFT THE HOOD. I YELLED TO MY MOTHER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I CALLED 911 TO REACH THE POLICE. WHEN THEY CAME THEY COULD NOT PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE POLICEMAN CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I THANK GOD MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS NOT WITH ME STRAPPED IN HIS CAR SEAT AS HE USUALLY TRAVELS WITH ME. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.
NHTSA complaint #10021481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesRevere, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH FIRE ON A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND LARGE FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesElmwood, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HEATER SWITCH STARTED TO SMOKE, BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10012084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,374 milesSaint Charles, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
TWICE, 2 DIFFERENT BATTERIES HAVE LEAKED ACID FROM THE POSITIVE TERMINAL MELTING THE BATTERY CABLE. BOTH BATTERIES WERE AC DELCO/PART NO. 19001628. 2ND BATTERY WAS INSTALLED 01/12/00. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beltsville, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH BATTERY GOING DEAD, DEALER CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER DISCONNECTING EVERYTHING TO SEE WHAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorsville, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
I WANTED TO REPORT THIS DEFECT ON MY 1996 BLAZER BECAUSE IT IS THE EXACT SAME DEFECT I HAVE JUST REPORTED ON MY 2001 BLAZER. WHAT ARE THE ODDS THIS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME ON MY VEHICLES FIVE YEARS APART? THIS ELECTRICAL WIRING DEFECT COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE ANONG OTHER THINGS. I HAVE HAD THE REPAIR COMPLETED ON MY 1996 BLAZER BUT IT APPEARS PARTS ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE TO REPAIR MY 2001 BLAZER. I WOULD GUESS SEVERAL 1000 OTHER BLAZERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP GET THIS DEFECT A RECALL SO POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS CAN BE AVOIDED.
NHTSA complaint #755242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Legrange, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
RELAY IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN A FIRE THAT SPREAD TO AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, AND INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #898802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riversdale, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE PARKED A FIRE STARTED ON RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH FIRE. THEY BELIEVED THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #897543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jermyn, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT ENGUINE FIRES ON THESE VEHICLES. WE ALSO LOST A 1995 BLAZER TO A FIRE APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE LEARNED OF MANY SIMILAR LOSSES TO OTHERS THROUGH INFORMAL CONTACT WITH CAR OWNERS, MOSTLY BY MENTIONING THIS IN CONVERSATION AND FINDING OUT THAT THERE WAS A FRIEND OR RELATIVE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I AM EXTREMELY THANKFUL THAT DURING BOTH FIRES MY 3 AND 5 YEAR OLDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR AND STRAPPED INTO THEIR CAR SEATS. THE SMOKE WAS HORRIBLE AND FILLED THE CAR QUICKLY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #752495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roselle Park, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #750879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bourbonnais, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
I THINK THAT THE PROPER WAY TO ADDRESS THIS SITUTATION IS TO NOT BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #745609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY LEAKED ACID ONTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE CABLE. FRONT WHEEL DRIVE FAILED. CABLE HAD CORRODED ACTUATOR CABLE.CAUSED CABLE TO BREAK.FAILURE OCCURED ON TRIP TO MOUNTAINS. HAD TO GET CHAINS TO GET OUT OF SNOW. IT COST 203.13 TO REPLACE ACTUATOR CABLE AND 226.61 TO REPLACE BATTERY CABLE AND BATTERY. BATTERY WAS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH DELCO BATTERIES. SAME PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA. REFERENCE ODI ID 554064,724743,717883,885560
NHTSA complaint #742493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sparks, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
RECALL 99I006000 WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, AFTER DEFECT WAS REPAIRED BRAKE SYSTEM WILL LOCK UP, AND CONSUMER WILL LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING. *AK VEHICLE STALLED 2 TIMES AFTER DRIVEN, THEN SHUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES THEN RESTARTED, DEALER REPROGRAMMED ECM. FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED, RESURFACED ROTORS, REPLACED WORN OUT BRAKES, DURING LIGHT BRAKING DURING LIGHT RAIN, ABS KICKS IN. REAR TIRES WORN ON OUTSIDE EDGES, CONSUMER DID NOT GIVE ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING TIRES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #883768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roslindale, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
NO MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, SIGNFICANT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH VERY MODERATE MILEAGE. MECHANICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE STEERING LINKAGE, WATER PUMP, STARTER, HEAD GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #741888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH HEARD A MUFFLED POP LOOKED OUT DRIVER SIDE VIEW MIRROR TO SEE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT LEFT REAR OF CAR. TURNED AROUND TO SEE ENTIRE REAR OF CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES. PULLED OVER, FLAMES AT REAR TIRE, GOT FAMILY OUT AND IN 5 MINUTES ENTIRE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. HAVE CONTACTED GM WHO REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY IDEA OF WHAT A PROBLEM CAUSE WAS. HELP.
NHTSA complaint #738179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.