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Chevrolet Blazer Problems

The Chevrolet Blazer name has applied to two very different vehicles: the legendary S-10 Blazer (1983-2005) and the modern crossover (2019-present). With 21,954 complaints and 152 reported deaths, the older Blazer's safety record reflects 1990s SUV design. The modern Blazer is a completely different vehicle that shares only the name.

21,954
Total Complaints
11
Total Recalls
41
Model Years
152
Reported Deaths
!

Years to Avoid

These years have significantly more complaints than average.

2000 1998 1997
✓

Best Years

These years have the fewest reported problems.

1973 1976 1977

Common Problem Categories

Service Brakes, Hydraulic 5,484
Visibility 1,968
Engine And Engine Cooling 1,940
Power Train 1,652
Electrical System 1,578

Complaints by Model Year

All Model Years

Year ↓ Complaints Recalls Crashes Fires Rating
2025 30 1 0 0 Good
2024 64 1 8 0 Good
2023 86 2 14 0 Good
2022 102 1 4 6 Good
2021 318 1 10 6 Average
2020 546 3 18 0 Average
2019 516 2 10 0 Average
2008 10 0 0 0 Good
2007 22 0 4 0 Good
2006 40 0 4 2 Good
2005 36 0 0 4 Good
2004 134 0 12 0 Good
2003 206 0 38 0 Good
2002 602 0 40 12 Average
2001 928 0 86 10 Below Average
2000 1,770 0 136 24 Avoid
1999 1,224 0 106 20 Below Average
1998 2,050 0 116 40 Avoid
1997 2,196 0 144 88 Avoid
1996 3,158 0 392 80 Avoid
1995 3,414 0 402 58 Avoid
1994 1,548 0 228 22 Avoid
1993 1,232 0 162 26 Below Average
1992 674 0 114 20 Average
1991 534 0 72 34 Average
1990 84 0 8 14 Good
1989 94 0 20 12 Good
1988 90 0 0 16 Good
1987 76 0 8 2 Good
1986 42 0 0 12 Good
1985 70 0 14 8 Good
1984 20 0 12 0 Good
1983 16 0 0 0 Good
1982 4 0 4 0 Good
1981 2 0 0 0 Good
1980 2 0 0 0 Good
1979 2 0 0 0 Good
1978 4 0 0 0 Good
1977 4 0 0 0 Good
1976 2 0 0 0 Good
1973 2 0 2 0 Good

Chevrolet Blazer Years to Avoid

The 1995 Blazer is the worst model year, with fuel pump failures, intake manifold gasket leaks, and structural issues contributing to high death counts typical of 1990s SUVs. The 1996-2000 models continued intake gasket and fuel pump problems that stranded owners. The 1998-2004 models had lower ball joint failures similar to the GMC Jimmy. The 2019-2021 modern Blazer had transmission shuddering with the 9-speed automatic and infotainment glitches. Avoid any older Blazer without documented intake gasket and fuel pump service.

Best Chevrolet Blazer Years

The 1981-1986 K5 Blazer full-size models are collector vehicles with simple mechanicals. The 2001-2005 final S-10 Blazers improved after GM addressed intake gasket issues. The 2022-2024 modern Blazers show improvement with sorted transmission programming.

Frequently Asked Questions