1996 Chevrolet Blazer Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1996 Chevrolet Blazer has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,506,051 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,579 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VISIBILITY 03V159000 2003-04-28 1,755,876 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT…

SUSPENSION 01V200000 2001-06-28 48,600 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE…

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 99V193000 1999-07-19 1,125,749 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

VISIBILITY 98V150001 1998-07-01 1,557,585 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

SEAT BELTS 97V096001 1997-06-12 586,058 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 96V234000 1996-11-14 432,183 affected
Defect

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."

Consequence

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
341
83crashes1fires41injuries1deaths
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
79
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
67
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
62
2crashes1fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
52
1fires
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
49
2crashes3injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
37
37crashes25injuries
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
35
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
32
1fires
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
29
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints1,579

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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 issue. I noticed my abs brakes were making the (typical operating sound a type of grinding) and I…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2023-03-23

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2016-04-22

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2016-04-22

“Driving approx. 35 mph north on 5700 blk of tacony st philadelphia pa 19137, 2005 silver honda pulls out of drive way hits the rear passenger side and rear passenger tire of truck, truck then spins and flips over. No air bag deployed at all sustained injuries. Was taken by rescue to hospital.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2015-08-21

“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that the brakes failed and the brake pedal traveled to the floor. The abs light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was determined that the pressure modulator valve needed to be replaced.…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2015-03-09

“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that the brakes failed and the brake pedal traveled to the floor. The abs light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was determined that the pressure modulator valve needed to be replaced.…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · reported 2015-03-09

“Brake performance had started to degrade on last trip to lake place (200 miles round trip). Pedal seemed softer than normal brake warning light came on and stayed lit.. Once at home check fluid which was low. Added some fluid. Brake light went out tried several hard stops in drive way and pedal…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2013-10-09

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2013-03-01

Defect investigations

Investigation EA02006 Opened 2002-05-31 · closed 2003-07-23

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED…

Investigation EA02006 Opened 2002-05-31 · closed 2003-07-23

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED…

Investigation EA94038 Opened 1994-10-31 · closed 2000-02-28

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM

THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.

Investigation EA94038 Opened 1994-10-31 · closed 2000-02-28

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM

THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.

Investigation EA97004 Opened 1997-02-28 · closed 1997-08-05

SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION

NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.

Investigation EA97004 Opened 1997-02-28 · closed 1997-08-05

SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION

NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.

Investigation EA97007 Opened 1997-04-17 · closed 1998-03-12

STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS

COUPLING BOLTS, JOINING THE STEERING SHAFT, MAY SEPARATE.IN SOME CASES, TOTAL UNFORESEEN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY RESULT.

Investigation EA99022 Opened 1999-07-30 · closed 2001-08-28

UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA99022 Opened 1999-07-30 · closed 2001-08-28

UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE99021 Opened 1999-03-05 · closed 1999-07-30

UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BREAKAGE

AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILS, RESULTING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSING ON THE FAILED SIDE.

Investigation RQ99015 Opened 1999-07-14 · closed 2001-12-28

FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT FAILURE

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.