107 of the 1,579 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer are about the transmission — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 83,750 miles.
107
Complaints
3
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NORMAL DRIVING , HARD SHIFTING, EVENTUAL TRANSMISSION BURN UP. IF CAUGHT IN TIME SIMPLE REPAIR FOR ABOUT 300 IF YOU CAN FIND SHOP THAT WILL DO IT. I LEFT ALONE. TRANSMISSION WILL BURN UP AND DEPENDING ON VEHICLE, 1500 TO 2700. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10166659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THERE WAS A FLARE-UP BETWEEN GEARS, AND A HARSH ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER WAS INACCURATE. THERE IS A NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 9774L60E08A, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED UPON SALE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10163472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING. ACCORDING TO TSB 00-07-30-022 THE 4L60E A/T WILL LOSE REVERSE, 2ND, AND 4TH GEARS. THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PART IN THE TRANSMISSION CALLED THE REACTION SUN SHELL, WHICH WAS RETURNED TO ME BY THE TRANSMISSION REBUILDER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT MAINTENANCE RELATED IN ANY WAY. THE FAILURE OF THE PART WAS DUE TO INADEQUATE STRENGTH. THERE ARE NUMEROUS AFTERMARKET REACTION SUN SHELLS THAT ARE MUCH STRONGER AND DURABLE THAN THE DEFECTIVE GM PART. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND COULD CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE TRANSMISSION WILL ONLY SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 3RD IF YOU ACCELERATE QUICKLY IN 1ST THEN LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I PULLED ON TO A HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY AND COULD ONLY MAINTAIN 25 MPH WITH NO PLACE TO PULL OVER, UNTIL I REALIZED THAT IT WOULD SHIFT TO 3RD IF YOU LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. SEVERAL VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING MINE. THIS CAN CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF SOMEONE TRIES TO TURN AROUND AND NEEDS REVERSE OR NEEDS TO DRIVE AT HIGH SPEED SUCH AS ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY. GM SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES THAT THE TSB APPLIES TO. THEY KNOW ABOUT THE SITUATION BUT DO NOT WANT TO ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE IT WOULD COST THEM TOO MUCH MONEY.
NHTSA complaint #10153733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
PROBLEM WITH FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM ON 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER. *BF THE VEHICLE' 4-HI IS NO LONGER WORKING. TWO YEAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT 4-HI WOULD GO IN AN D OUT ON IT'S OWN WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS EXISTED, BUT NONE DID.
NHTSA complaint #10114871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN
BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE WORK DONE SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING RECALL OF ABS. WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 9 2002. THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT SLOW SPEED ON SURFACE STREET RESULTING IN A THREE CAR COLLISION ONE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. ACCIDENT COSTS NOT INCLUDED. MINOR INJURY TO DRIVERS OF TWO OF THE VEHICLES. CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE AND SO WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBLILY ETC. VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE AS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHAT ACTUAL PROBLEM IS. BRAKES FAILED AGAIN WHEN THE AUTOBODY REPAIR SHOP TOOK IT IN FOR BRAKE CHECK PRIOR TO RETURNING TO US.
NHTSA complaint #10071015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
MOST OF THE PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST ONCE. *PH MOST OF THE PROBLEMS HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND HAVE RECURRED. THE A/C SEAL LEAKED AND NEEDED A PUMP. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE IDLER PULLEY, OIL FILTER LINES, CRANK SHAFT,DOOR HINGES, POWER STEERING, THROTTLE POSITIONER SENSOR 2, LEFT FRONT AXLE SEAL, AND THE DIFFERENTIAL SIDE COVERS. *SC *MR
NHTSA complaint #10057277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
MOST OF THE PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST ONCE. *PH MOST OF THE PROBLEMS HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND HAVE RECURRED. THE A/C SEAL LEAKED AND NEEDED A PUMP. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE IDLER PULLEY, OIL FILTER LINES, CRANK SHAFT,DOOR HINGES, POWER STEERING, THROTTLE POSITIONER SENSOR 2, LEFT FRONT AXLE SEAL, AND THE DIFFERENTIAL SIDE COVERS. *SC *MR
NHTSA complaint #10057277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
BOTH REAR WHEELS AND AXLES SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND BRAKING DUE TO SEVERED BRAKE LINES AND REAR WHEELS SEPARATED FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL.BODY DAMAGE INCURRED WHEN REAR WHEEL AND AXLE JAMMED UNDER REAR BUMPER.
NHTSA complaint #10029299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
BOTH REAR WHEELS AND AXLES SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND BRAKING DUE TO SEVERED BRAKE LINES AND REAR WHEELS SEPARATED FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL.BODY DAMAGE INCURRED WHEN REAR WHEEL AND AXLE JAMMED UNDER REAR BUMPER.
NHTSA complaint #10029299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER TCC VALVE ON TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ONCE VEHICLE WARMED UP AFTER DRIVING FOR A DISTANCE. APPEARS THAT THE SAME TRANSMISSION ON MANY MODELS HAVE SIMILAR FAILURES AND ISSUES WHERE IT SWITCHES HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND ON AT. SES ENGINE SERVICE CODE 1870. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING, CAUSING TO LEAK ON EXHAUST AND CAUSE IT TO SMOKE. OILY SUBSTANCE SMEARED ON BACK WINDSHIELD. HAD THAT FIXED AND IT IS STILL HAPPENING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ALL OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. 13 SENSORS FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10017014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FRONT & REAR FAILED, WATER PUMP QUIT, DRIVE SHAFT BROKE, BALL JOINTS RIGHT FRONT BROKE, HEATER QUIT, AIR CONDITIONER QUIT. DRIVERS SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF, STEERING PROBLEMS, BRAKE PROBLEMS, UNIVERSAL JOINTS WORN OUT, CRACKED FRONT ROTORS,ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10016198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FRONT & REAR FAILED, WATER PUMP QUIT, DRIVE SHAFT BROKE, BALL JOINTS RIGHT FRONT BROKE, HEATER QUIT, AIR CONDITIONER QUIT. DRIVERS SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF, STEERING PROBLEMS, BRAKE PROBLEMS, UNIVERSAL JOINTS WORN OUT, CRACKED FRONT ROTORS,ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10016198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
JUST BROUGHT 96 BLAZERLS WITH 82,000 IN DEC.02. WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THEY HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 20,000. WELL,83,000 MILES THE HEATER WAS ON HOT BLOWING WHEN I NOTICED THAT IT TURN COLD AND THE GAGE WENT TO THE RED ZONE. I IMMEDIATELY TURN SWICHES OFF ON THE BLOWER IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. TWO DAYS LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT I TURN OFF THE HEATER AND BLOWER COMPLETELY IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. WE THOUGHT THE TERMOSTACT GOT STUCK AND REPLACED IT . AT THAT TIME WE NOTICE THAT IT WAS GEL UP OVER THE TERMOSTACT, AFTER REPLACING IT , WE TESTED DROVE IT AND IT STILL DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. WE LOOKED AT THE RADIATOR AND FOUND THAT IT WAS GEL UP AND LOOK LIKE RUBBER. WE THEN DECIDED TO CHECK THE FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION WE NOTICED THAT THE DIPPED STICK WAS RUSTED ON THE OUTSIDE AND WAS RUSTED THE LENGTH OF THE STICK THE FLUID WAS RUSTED. WE WILL NOW HAVE TO FLUSHED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I HAD CHECKED YOUR SITE AND FOUND NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE GELING AND TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE BUYING. TELL TODAY WHEN I DECIDED TO CHECKED OUT COMPLAINTS AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS 54 AND COUPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS OF GELING AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK OUT 98 BECAUSE MY SISTERINLAW HAD JUST BROUGHT ONE AND NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS BUT THEY ARE COMPALINTS OF COOL HEATING (PROBABLY FROM GELING ANITIFREEZE) AND TRANSMISSIONS BEING REPLACED ONCE ,TWICE AND I GUY 3 TIMES. SO I CHECK 2001 AND THEY WAS SOMEONE ELSE REPLACING A TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WHEN THERE IS GELING OF ANTIFREEZE FROM 96 TO 98 AND REPLACING TRANSMISSIONS LEFT AND RIGHT SINCE 96. TO ME CHEVROLET HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND GELING PROBLEMS IN THESE BLAZERS GETTING AWAY WITH IT. FROM NOW ON I'LL CHECK OUT COMPLAINTS BEFORE RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS THERE'S THE CONSUMERS EYES AND EARS.
NHTSA complaint #10003428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ALL ITEMS LOOKED AT BY DEALER, DEALER ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THESE ARE COMMON PROBLEMS CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF. ODD THAT THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. DT
NHTSA complaint #770025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID STARTED LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND AND DOWN THE EXHAUST PIPE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STARTED TO FILL WITH SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CAME OFF IN COMSUMER HAND FROM THE HEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA complaint #8021379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES BALL JOINTS ARE CONSTANTLY FAILING. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE THEM TWICE. A RECALL WAS INITIATED, BUT CONSUMER'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. RELATED RECALLS 01V200000 AND 01I018000. *AK RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS. THERE WAS SQUEAKING NOISE ON TURNS DUE TO IDLER ARM FAILURE. FRONT PADS WORN OUT AND ROTORS FAILED, BOTH WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8019559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #566617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THE CAR IS STUCK IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN I PUSH THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE BUTTON, IT WILL NOT GO BACK TO NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #764609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. THE VACUUM LINE WAS PULLED OFF BY MISTAKE AT THE DEALERSHIP CAUSING THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE NOT TO ENGAGE.
NHTSA complaint #565688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HAD FAULTY TFP SWITCH AND DIP STICK REPLACED PER BULLITEN #86-71-17 ON 2-8-99. ON 3-20-02 TRANMISSION FAILED TOOK IT TO DEALER BUT THEY DO NOT REBUILD THEM. TOOK IT TO QUALIFIED TRANSMISSION MECHANIC. HE REBUILT IT AT A COST OF $1900.00. HE SAID HE FOUND A LOT OF RUST IN IT WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL. I PLAN TO CALL CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS BUT I DOULT THIS WILL GET ME ANYWHERE.
NHTSA complaint #760003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING TO 2 ND AND TO 3 RD GEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8006159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, RESULTING IN HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. DEALERSHIP REVIEWED VEHICLE; HOWEVER FOUND NO DEFECT, AND SUGGESTED TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8005705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED, CONSUMER NOTICED CRACKS IN THE BLOWER EVAPORATOR HOUSING OF THE A/C, DEALER DECLINED REPAIRS SAYING VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEREFORE CONSUMER REPAIRED AT OWN EXPENSE, CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINS OF HOWLING NOISE AND HARSH SHIFTS.
NHTSA complaint #899499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION GETS WATER IN IT AND KEEPS RUSTING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #897444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE AND DIPSTICK HAVE RUSTED. AM AFRAID THAT THIS IS BEGINNING OF A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. NOTHING ELSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS RUSTY AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUSTPROOFED. PROBLEM MAY BE INTERNAL.
NHTSA complaint #751252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR OF OWNING 96 BLAZER. FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE BY DENOOYER CHEVROLET, JUST ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN, WITH NO HELP FROM CHEVROLET I HAD TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT BUFF O MATIC IN GLENMONT, NY (WITH NO PROBLEMS THEREAFTER). THEN HAD TO HAVE PRACTICALLY ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANED AND REPAIRED BY DEPAULA CHEVROLET DUE TO DEX-COOL ANTI-FREEZE CRYSTALLIZING WITHIN ENGINE, AGAIN WITH NO HELP FROM CHEVROLET I HAD TO DISH OUT MONEY FOR REPAIR. GM AND CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPOSIBLE FOR BOTH MY REPAIRS. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE BBB, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND A PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO HOPEFULLY RECOUPE DAMAGES.
NHTSA complaint #750399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP OR RPM'S WILL REV HIGH, BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE AS FAST AS IT SHOULD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO PONTIAC DEALER WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, AND WAS TOLD A POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADVISED CONSUMER TO GO TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TO PERFORM REPAIR BECAUSE IT STILL FELL UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET DEALER, AND WAS TOLD A TSB WAS ISSUED FOR A HARNESS JUMPER KIT WHICH WAS CAUSING THE DEFECT. CHEVROLET DEALER DID NOT INSPECT VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THAT WAS THE ACTUAL CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #890169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.