RecallMyCar

1996 Chevrolet Blazer Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, and owners have filed 1,153 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

6
safety recalls
1,153
owner complaints to NHTSA
158 / 32
complaints citing a crash / fire
16–18
MPG combined (EPA)

6 safety recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

    NHTSA 03V159000 Reported 1,755,876 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…

  2. Suspension: upper ball joint

    NHTSA 01V200000 Reported 48,600 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both upper ball joints. Owner notification began september 4, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…

  3. Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)

    NHTSA 99V193000 Reported 1,125,749 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from september 1989 through august 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.

  4. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

    NHTSA 98V150001 Reported 1,557,585 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

  5. Seat belts

    NHTSA 97V096001 Reported 586,058 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.

  6. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 96V234000 Reported 432,183 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: 4-door, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive multi-purpose passenger vehicles. During development testing, the prop shaft contacted the inboard side of the fuel tank allowing fuel leakage. This leakage was in excess of the amount permitted by FMVSS 301, "fuel system integrity."

    Remedy: Dealers will install additional shielding of the fuel tank. This will be added without removing or disassembling the fuel system.

1,153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer have filed 1,153 complaints with NHTSA; 158 describe a crash and 32 describe a fire. Reports cite 103 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 90,338 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 202 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“On March 23, 2023 ABS Extended Stopping Distance on snow / slush surface proceeding downhill on a 4 lane highway (7200 South Wasatch Blvd. Midvale Utah). Other vehicles around me were stopping without”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 28, 2023 · Service brakes

“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.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 31, 2016 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer (Blazer 2WD, Blazer 4WD, Blazer AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined16–18 mpg
City / Highway15–16 / 20–22
FuelRegular
EPA classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
Engine6 cyl, 4.3 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Chevrolet Blazer model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Blazer model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1969 Chevrolet Blazer10
1972 Chevrolet Blazer10
1973 Chevrolet Blazer11
1974 Chevrolet Blazer10
1976 Chevrolet Blazer01
1977 Chevrolet Blazer02
1978 Chevrolet Blazer01
1979 Chevrolet Blazer01
1980 Chevrolet Blazer01
1981 Chevrolet Blazer11
1982 Chevrolet Blazer11
1983 Chevrolet Blazer24
1984 Chevrolet Blazer19
1985 Chevrolet Blazer029
1986 Chevrolet Blazer019
1987 Chevrolet Blazer030
1988 Chevrolet Blazer140
1989 Chevrolet Blazer138
1990 Chevrolet Blazer132
1991 Chevrolet Blazer4222
1992 Chevrolet Blazer2278
1993 Chevrolet Blazer2511
1994 Chevrolet Blazer2620
1995 Chevrolet Blazer61,224
1996 Chevrolet Blazer61,153
1997 Chevrolet Blazer4768
1998 Chevrolet Blazer3716
1999 Chevrolet Blazer0436
2000 Chevrolet Blazer4589
2001 Chevrolet Blazer3326
2002 Chevrolet Blazer2246
2003 Chevrolet Blazer177
2004 Chevrolet Blazer150
2005 Chevrolet Blazer015
2006 Chevrolet Blazer019
2007 Chevrolet Blazer09
2008 Chevrolet Blazer05
2019 Chevrolet Blazer2186
2020 Chevrolet Blazer3220
2021 Chevrolet Blazer1136
2022 Chevrolet Blazer151
2023 Chevrolet Blazer243
2024 Chevrolet Blazer150
2025 Chevrolet Blazer131
2026 Chevrolet Blazer01

Checking a specific 1996 Chevrolet Blazer

How do I know if my 1996 Chevrolet Blazer has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 01V200000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.