FaultScore

1996 Chevrolet Blazer headlight problems

25 of the 1,579 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer are about the lighting — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,335 miles.

B

25

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Headlights 6 24.0%
Switch 4 16.0%
Interior Lighting 3 12.0%
Switch 3 12.0%
Exterior Lighting 2 8.0%
Flasher Unit 2 8.0%
Tail Lights 1 4.0%
High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch 1 4.0%
Back UP Lights 1 4.0%
Unit 1 4.0%

Lights across every Chevrolet Blazer year

1995 14 3.5%
1996 25 6.2%
1997 19 4.7%
1998 50 12.4%
1999 35 8.7%
2000 97 24.1%
2001 87 21.6%
2002 65 16.2%
2003 10 2.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 150,000 miles Dayton, OH Crash 1 injured

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 173,052 miles Glendale, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

Marthasville, MO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH

THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH THIS TRUCK: 1. THE WHEELS ARE MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING; REPLACED BRAKES, ROTORS, HAD TIRES ROTATED, BALANCED AND NEW ALIGNMENT DONE WITH NO HELP 2. BRAKES GO TO FLOOR WHILE BRAKING..THIS JUST STARTED 3. BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND DOESN'T WORK...EVER! 4. SEAT CONTROL GETS STUCK AND WON'T MOVE 5. NO REVERSE LIGHT(S) AND CANNOT FIGURE OUT ISSUE 6. FINAL AND BIGGEST ISSUE IS THAT ALL THE LIGHTS (INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS) FLICKER BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING) I HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATOR TESTED AND REPLACED AS WELL AS THE BATTERY..STILL HAPPENING I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK DECEMBER 8, 2007 USED FROM A LOCAL DEALER. I PURCHASED A SMALL WARRANTY BUT ONE THAT WON'T COVER ANYTHING MENTIONED ABOVE. IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS WILL SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT ME!

NHTSA complaint #10218630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Hawley, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, AND ENGAGING THE HIGH/LOW BEAM SWITCH, ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 9/8/2006 - *NM UPDATED 09/15/06.

NHTSA complaint #10166415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,670 miles Basom, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

RECENTLY HAD TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS, HAZARD LIGHT PROBLEMS AND BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEMS. COULD NOT GET FRONT, RIGHT TURN SIGNAL TO TURN OFF, COULD NOT GET HAZARD LIGHTS TO TURN OFF, AFTER MANEUVERING A BOBBY PIN INTO THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH I TEMPORARILY FIXED THESE TWO PROBLEMS. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT I DO NOT HAVE ALL 3 OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I DO NOT HAVE THE TWO SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS JUST THE TOP ONE. I THINK THAT BECAUSE ALL OF THESE ARE PROBLEMS ARE ELECTRICAL THEY ARE TIED INTO ONE ANOTHER. NO CONSEQUENCES YET, BUT AM WORRIED ABOUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THEM CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10116080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Norman, OK

INTERIOR LIGHTING

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE ITEMS AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED PER THE MANUFACTURER. *JB THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS INTERMITTENT, THE HATCHBACK LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE INTERNAL LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. RECALL# 03V159000 AND 96V234000.

NHTSA complaint #10087785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, DC Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

COMPLAINT REGARDING FAULTY MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH IN 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS REPLACED WITH A 2000 SWITCH, HOWEVER THE SWITCH FAILED THE SAME WAY IT WAS DESCRIBED IN RECALL #01V364000, CHEVROLET ADMITTED THEY INSTALLED A FAULTY 2000 SWITCH IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, BUT THE RECALL WAS BY CAR MODEL YEAR AND NOT THE RECALL SWITCH YEAR *TS

NHTSA complaint #10030020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fostoria, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHTS FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO MANEUVER THE FOUR WAY SWITCH IN ORDER TO GET THE LIGHTS TO COME ON. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THE SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10024312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Springdale, AR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

1. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROLLER BAD 2. AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR LEAKS OUT ALL REFRIGERANT 3. HEAD LIGHTS ARE SO BAD, YOU CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD HARDLY AT ALL.

NHTSA complaint #10010916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norcross, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING. AT FIRST NOTICED FAST FLASHING OF INDICATOR ON DASH, THEN NOTICED SLOW FLASHING, AND THEN NO FLASHING, JUST A STEADY INDICATOR LIGHT, AND FINALLY, NO INDICATOR LIGHT AT ALL. BOUGHT A FLASHER AT NAPA AUTO PARTS, THINKING I COULD JUST REPLACE IT, BUT I COULDN'T FIND THE FLASHER. WENT TO THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLASHER AND THEY SAID CHEVROLET HAS DESIGNED THE TURN SIGNAL SYSTEM SO THAT THE ENITRE DASHBOARD HAS TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE FLASHER WHICH WILL TAKE APPROX. 2 HOURS OF LABOR, COSTING OVER $200. THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS! THEY ALSO SAID THERE IS A RECALL ON THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS, (#O1V364000) BUT THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RECALL MAY BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VEHICLES, AND I COULD GET REIMBURSED. I SURE HOPE SO. IT'S REDICULOUS TO HAVE TO PAY OVER $200 TO REPLACE A FLASHER OR REPLACE A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. DT

NHTSA complaint #768673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springdale, AR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN GOOD, CAN'T SEE. AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR LEAKED OUT REFRIGERANT, INDEPENDENT GARAGE WANTS $ 1000.00 TO FIX PROPERLY..... ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE WENT OUT, INDEPENDENT GARAGE WANTS $ 1000.00 TO FIX.

NHTSA complaint #763763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winsted, MN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHTS ON HIGH BEAMS DO NOT SUFFICENTLY BRIGHTEN THE ROAD. LOW BEAMS ARE BRIGHTER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8003056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hazel Park, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TWICE IN A TWO MONTH PERIOD WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBELM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8002954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milwaukee, WI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

I HAVE BROUGHT THE PROBLEM OF THE HEADLIGHT COMING ON AT VARIOUS STAGES OF MY OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. AT ONE OCCASION, I GOT THE MANF. INVOLVED IN A DISPUTE ABOUT HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY COMING ON, MOSTLY AFTER REFUELING. IN ANY CASE, IT WAS NEVER FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #754862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watts, OK

INTERIOR LIGHTING

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IS CAUSING DOME LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS TO BE INOPERABLE. ALSO, ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS REORCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #894997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Falls Church, VA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

TURN SIGNAL, FRONT AND REAR STOPPED WORKING, FUES AND RELAY ARE NOT AT FAULT.

NHTSA complaint #883527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stone Mountain, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #741028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Bernie, MD

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, CONSUMER PUT ON BRAKES AND FELT ABS KICKING IN, BUT THERE WAS A DELAY IN STOPPING, CONSUMER HAS ALSO BEEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING AN EXCESSIVE BRAKE SQUEAK, DEALER HAD REPLACED BRAKE PADS TWICE AND ROTORS ONCE. RIGHT REAR DOOR WON'T ALWAYS UNLOCK FROM INSIDE, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM, PINS AT DRIVER'S DOOR HINGES RUSTED. THE SEAL AROUND RIGHT REAR WINDOW HOLDS WATER AFTER RAIN. REAR PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT FOLD DOWN, DEALER FOUND CABLE BINDING UP. WATER COLLECTS IN REAR LIGHT LENSE WHEN WASHING VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED TAILLIGHT LENSE, CENTER HIGH MOUNT LENSE COLLECTS MOISTURE, DEALER REPLACED 3RD LIGHT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER FLUSHED RADIATOR AND 12 MONTHS LATER IT NEEDED FLUSHED AGAIN, DEALER PERFORMED, CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE FIRST FLUSH DOWN AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #876082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Bernie, MD

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, CONSUMER PUT ON BRAKES AND FELT ABS KICKING IN, BUT THERE WAS A DELAY IN STOPPING, CONSUMER HAS ALSO BEEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING AN EXCESSIVE BRAKE SQUEAK, DEALER HAD REPLACED BRAKE PADS TWICE AND ROTORS ONCE. RIGHT REAR DOOR WON'T ALWAYS UNLOCK FROM INSIDE, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM, PINS AT DRIVER'S DOOR HINGES RUSTED. THE SEAL AROUND RIGHT REAR WINDOW HOLDS WATER AFTER RAIN. REAR PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT FOLD DOWN, DEALER FOUND CABLE BINDING UP. WATER COLLECTS IN REAR LIGHT LENSE WHEN WASHING VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED TAILLIGHT LENSE, CENTER HIGH MOUNT LENSE COLLECTS MOISTURE, DEALER REPLACED 3RD LIGHT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER FLUSHED RADIATOR AND 12 MONTHS LATER IT NEEDED FLUSHED AGAIN, DEALER PERFORMED, CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE FIRST FLUSH DOWN AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #876082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenwood, IN

INTERIOR LIGHTING

DOME LIGHT LENS FELL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #535833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kirkland, WA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

WIRES LEADING TO LIGHT SHORTED OUT (CRACKED INSIDE JACKET). AS A RESULT LIGHT STOPPED FUNCTIONING. LIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH ATTACHED WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED. I SUSPECT THAT THE FLEXING OF THE WIRES EACH TIME THE REAR WINDOW WAS OPEN/CLOSED WAS THE CAUSE OF THE WIRE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #703201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

City, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT

BLINKER IS NOT LOUD ENOUGH WHILE FLASHERS ARE BLINKING.

NHTSA complaint #807874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingsport, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS TOO SMALL, CAUSING INSUFFICIENT LIGHTING.

NHTSA complaint #510070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wappinger Falls, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

INADEQUATE HIGH BEAMS, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #508205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Chevrolet Blazer problems

← Full 1996 Chevrolet Blazer report