1996 Chevrolet Blazer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer: 6 recalls, 1153 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 5 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #96V234000 · 1996 · 432,183 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: If an ignition source is present, and there is a fuel leak, a fire could occur.
The fix: Dealers will install additional shielding of the fuel tank. This will be added without removing or disassembling the fuel system.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #97V096001 · 1997 · 586,058 vehicles
What's wrong: The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #98V150001 · 1998 · 1,557,585 vehicles
What's wrong: Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Why it matters: This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #99V193000 · 1999 · 1,125,749 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 increased stopping distances during ABS stops while in the two-wheel drive mode.
Why it matters: If this occurred at a time when minimum stopping distance was required, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
The fix: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Suspension Vehicle recall #01V200000 · 2001 · 48,600 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 columbia. Failure of an upper control arm ball joint assembly could occur due to…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace both upper ball joints. Owner notification began September 4, 2001.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #03V159000 · 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003.
5 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Recall #99I006000 · 1999 · 2,400,000 vehicles
What's wrong: This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: certain light duty pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, or minivans equipped with 3-sensor ABS (antilock braking system) ebc4 units.
Why it matters: These vehicles can experience extended stopping distances during ABS stops on certain multiple surfaces, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will modify the computer program which operates the ABS unit on some vehicles, or replace the computer on others to improve the performance of the ABS on these surfaces.
Suspension Recall #01I018000 · 2001 · 0 vehicles
What's wrong: This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1996-1997 4-wheel drive Chevrolet blazer, GMC jimmy, and Oldsmobile bravada sport utility vehicles. Some owners have had to pay for replacement of the upper ball joints that have separated. Gm is providing a special policy to these owners to cover upper ball joint…
Why it matters: This could cause a loss of steering control of the vehicle.
The fix: Gm has decided to conduct a customer satisfaction campaign to replace the upper ball joints on affected vehicles. This special policy is for a period of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date the vheicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. The upper…
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E023000 · 2006 · 292,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006.
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E043000 · 2006 · 88,303 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from October 18, 2005, through March 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The…
Why it matters: This condition May cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
The fix: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 32 mention a fire, 103 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (420): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (186), noise or vibration (51).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (182): the most common themes are electrical failure (19), noise or vibration (4).
- Engine & cooling (149): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (21), leaks (19), overheating (17).
- Suspension (149): the most common themes are noise or vibration (27), steering problems (14).
The 1996 Chevrolet Blazer has 1153 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 27 Blazer model years for complaints (3.9× the average Blazer year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (224 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 83,900 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (1224 complaints, 6 recalls), 1997 (768 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, plus 5 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Chevrolet Blazer problems?
Owners have filed 1153 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (420), visibility (wipers, glass) (182), engine & cooling (149).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.