Complaints
1,579
per 10K Sold
64.1
US Sales
246,307
Crashes
196
Fires
40
Injuries
142
Fatalities
3
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Chevrolet Blazer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1341 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:74,251 mi
Crash-related:83
Fires:1
#279 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Avg mileage:77,767 mi
#367 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Avg mileage:94,000 mi
Considering a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 341 | 83 | 1 | 74,251 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 79 | — | — | 77,767 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 67 | — | — | 94,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 62 | 2 | 1 | 78,379 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 52 | — | 1 | 65,719 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 49 | 2 | — | 68,294 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 37 | 37 | — | 77,250 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 35 | 1 | — | 75,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 32 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 29 | 1 | — | 70,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 28 | 7 | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 27 | — | — | 95,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 25 | — | 3 | 48,000 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 25 | — | 1 | 76,285 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 25 | 2 | — | 113,644 mi | |
| Airbags | 21 | 12 | 1 | 134,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 20 | 2 | — | 170,825 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 19 | 5 | — | 140,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 17 | 1 | 6 | 113,249 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 16 | — | — | 33,687 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 16 | 10 | — | 104 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 14 | — | 1 | 189,685 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 14 | — | — | 153,000 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 13 | 1 | — | 121,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 12 | — | 1 | 35,000 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 11 | 2 | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
341
complaints
Crashes
83
Fires
1
Avg Miles
74,251
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
79
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,767
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
67
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,000
Automatic Transmission
62
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,379
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
52
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
65,719
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
49
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,294
Air Bags:Frontal
37
complaints
Crashes
37
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,250
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
35
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
32
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
29
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
28
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
27
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
95,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
48,000
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,285
Suspension:Front
25
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
113,644
Airbags
21
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
1
Avg Miles
134,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
20
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
170,825
Unintended Acceleration
19
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
140,000
Electrical Faults
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Avg Miles
113,249
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,687
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
16
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104
Engine & Cooling
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
189,685
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
153,000
Wheel Issues
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
121,000
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
35,000
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
11
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Blazer Years
1996 Chevrolet Blazer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 1996 Chevrolet Blazer has 1,579 NHTSA complaints, 196 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 341 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (341 complaints, avg 74,251 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor (79 complaints, avg 77,767 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (67 complaints, avg 94,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 82,323 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer include 196 crash-related reports, 40 fire reports, 142 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 1996 Chevrolet Blazer shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Blazer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99