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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,310 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Chevrolet Blazer suspension problems

suspension problem

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1996 Chevrolet Blazer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Oct 102006

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

NHTSA campaign id number: 01V200000 product campaign bulletin no: 01048 after nearly losing control on the interstate highway I decided to have the front end checked. The front ball joints need replaced. I further learned of the above mentioned references however, the dealership in ankeny was unhelpful, rude, and basically told me they don't have to do any work regardless of bulletins, etc... each day the vehicle is harder to handle and a mechanic friend advised will start to cause additional problems with suspension. Why do we have policies both government and corporate when dealerships totally disregard all the rules. I have experienced this before and know of many others that dealerships left in dire straits. This is a problem I would like addressed for the good of all.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #28

Nov 092004

Blazer

  • miles
While driving the ball joints separated and broke. Consumer contacted the dealer. Was told she would have to pay. However, consumer found out through the manufacturer that her vehicle was included in the recall. Manufacturer contacted the dealer to let them know that consumer was included, and they need to repair the vehicle. However, the problem recurred, and the vehicle was still in the shop.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #27

Mar 202002

Blazer

  • 60,000 miles
While driving at any speed vehicle drifted to the right. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for an examination, and mechanic determined that the lower ball joints needed replacement.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #26

Dec 302003

Blazer

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Upper and lower ball joints failed.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #25

Nov 192003

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I own a 1996 Chevy Blazer I have seen recalls on the upper ball joints but this vehicle wears the ball joints out way more than a regular vehicle should I would have to say this is the sixth set of ball joints that were put on and I don't think I should be required to keep paying for these expensive repairs.

- Irwin, PA, USA

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problem #24

Oct 032003

Blazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
Ball joint separated and control arm need to be replaced.

- Wethersfield, CT, USA

problem #23

Nov 062003

(reported on)

Blazer

  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Upon making a right turn while pulling into a driveway front wheels turned inward and fell off. The upper/lower ball joints wore out prematurely, causing the failure.

- Nashville, MI, USA

problem #22

Sep 032003

(reported on)

Blazer

  • 86,000 miles
While driving at 45 mph upper and lower ball joints snapped, which resulted in vehicle spinning around and almost impacting a tree. There is a recall for the upper ball joints, but not for the lower.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #21

Aug 152003

(reported on)

Blazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Lower ball joint failure/ right & left side idler. Also idler arm & pitman arm loose.

- Shawnee, KS, USA

problem #20

Jun 072003

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,500 miles
My 1996 Chevrolet Blazer did not pass a state inspection due to corrosion of the upper and lower ball joints and as well that the idler arm, . the front steering and suspension must be replaced. Upon searching the internet, I have discovered that this has been a serious problem with 1996 Blazer's and a recall was issued. I did contact Chevrolet and speak with a representative about the recall, however, after providing my vehicle's VIN number, I was told that my Blazer does not qualify for the recall. I feel that this is inappropriate. If my vehicle is experiencing the exact same problem discribed in the recall, then it should qualify for the remedy.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

problem #19

Apr 092003

(reported on)

Blazer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Both upper and lower ball joints failed. However, consumer was not covered under GMC safety improvement campaign 011-49 or recall 01048 for the lower ball joints, because it only referred to the upper ball joints.. the consumer was informed the lower ball joints failed, due to lack of lubrication.

- Unknown, 00, USA

problem #18

Oct 162002

Blazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Steering problems since vehicle acquired. Reported to dealer in 2001, response "unable to replicate customer concern." Went to another dealership when problem persisted (2002). Upper ball joint replaced under recall. Returned to dealer because alignment not completed, advised that lower ball joint also bad and not covered by recall but was in similar condition as upper. Did not align at that time either. Attempted contact with GM, they declined to replace, repair or further investigate (ref# 1-78000118).

- Watertown, NY, USA

problem #17

Jul 222002

Blazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While recall repairs on upper ball joints were done, mechanic noticed lower ball joints were worn out as well.

- Grafton, WI, USA

problem #16

Sep 212001

Blazer

  • miles
Consumer received a recall notice for the upper ball joints, NHTSA campaign id number 01V200000. The mechanic had commented to consumer, prior to bringing the vehicle in that it was very unlikely that the defective upper ball joints would not destroy the lower ball joints, when the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for the upper ball joint recall repair, consumer found out that the lower ball joints also needed to be replaced which would be at the consumers expense.

- Wolcott, CT, USA

problem #15

Oct 012001

(reported on)

Blazer

  • miles
Prior to recall, consumer had the lower ball joints replaced due to them being loose, when consumer first had them replaced she was informed by manufacturer there was no recall.

- Morris, PA, USA

problem #14

Jan 042002

Blazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While at an inspection station lower ball joints malfunctioned. Vehicle was taken to a mechanic, and they replaced lower ball joints. Although there is a recall for replacing the upper ball joints - 01V200000 - the lower ball joints were replaced at owners expense, consumer also received letter from GM regarding replacement of upper ball joints.

- Dalton, MA, USA

problem #13

Feb 012002

Blazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering wheel is looser and unresponsive than normal. Driver then received a recall letter 01V200000 concerning ball joints. Consumer feels this is the cause of the problem. Consumer contacted dealer, and vehicle was not covered. Consumer was informed that the manufacturer would replaced the ball joints if the vehicle was less than 8 yeasr old or if the mileage was less than 100,000 miles however consumer was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall.

- Waltham, MA, USA

problem #12

Feb 172002

Blazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
NHTSA recall 01V20000/manufacturer's recall 01048; got notice about upper and lower control arms malfunctioning. Dealer only repaired upper control arm. Dealer also admitted that lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Consumer is upset that ball joints failed so soon.

- Auburn, ME, USA

problem #11

Feb 072002

(reported on)

Blazer

  • miles
Lower ball joints components are very bad. Cause unknown.

- Hebran, OH, USA

problem #10

Jan 182002

Blazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer received a letter from Chevrolet regarding a program to replace upper ball joints, but the lower ball joints needed to be replaced as well.

- Summerhill, PA, USA

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