The most-reported Blazer run is 1GNDT13W4T2 (1996 builds) with 57 complaints, 15.8× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 27% of reports; 1998 is the worst model year at 6.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 46 recall campaigns for Blazer model years 1981–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Blazer has 1,761 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Blazer complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GNDT13W4T2•••••• | 1996 | 8 | 2 | |
| 1GNDT13W6T2•••••• | 1996 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1GNDT13WXT2•••••• | 1996 | 6 | 3 | |
| 1GNDT13W2T2•••••• | 1996 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1GNDT13W9T2•••••• | 1996 | 7 | — | |
| 1GNDT13W8T2•••••• | 1996 | 4 | 3 | |
| 1GNDT13W1T2•••••• | 1996 | 4 | 3 | |
| 1GNDT13W5T2•••••• | 1996 | 12 | 1 | |
| 1GNDT13W7T2•••••• | 1996 | 5 | 4 | |
| 1GNDT13W7S2•••••• | 1995 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1GNDT13W9V2•••••• | 1997 | 7 | — | |
| 1GNDT13W0T2•••••• | 1996 | 4 | — |
Each of the other 1,749 Blazer runs has 42 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 227 Blazer VINs so far, most often 2024, 2025, 2026 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Blazer the gap between build years is 5.4×: a 1998 car draws 6.5 complaints per run, a 2004 one 1.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 35 | 29 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 52 | 37 | 6 | |
| 2023 | 42 | 32 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 53 | 35 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 135 | 71 | 6 | |
| 2020 | 219 | 85 | 5 | |
| 2019 | 185 | 79 | 4 | |
| 2005 | 11 | 9 | — | |
| 2004 | 37 | 31 | 4 | |
| 2003 | 55 | 38 | 9 | |
| 2002 | 187 | 63 | 12 | |
| 2001 | 240 | 65 | 27 | |
| 2000 | 467 | 93 | 34 | |
| 1999 | 324 | 74 | 28 | |
| 1998 | 555 | 85 | 30 | |
| 1997 | 595 | 110 | 48 | |
| 1996 | 897 | 145 | 123 | |
| 1995 | 947 | 193 | 110 | |
| 1994 | 459 | 146 | 77 | |
| 1993 | 391 | 116 | 63 |
Heaviest year here is 1998 at 6.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 1.2. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 27% of everything Chevrolet Blazer owners report: Service Brakes, 1,990 of 6,388 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 386 | 7 | |
| Hydraulic | 354 | 7 | |
| Visibility | 7 | 4 | |
| Power Train | 15 | 11 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 | 25 | |
| Electrical System | 12 | 70 | |
| Suspension | 26 | 2 | |
| Fuel System | 7 | 8 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 46 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Blazer; the 6 below cover build years 1981 to 1996. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 07E088000 | Equipment | 1981–1994 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1981–1993 |
| 06E043000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1987–1996 |
| 99V193000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 1991–1996 |
| 93V119000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor | 1988–1992 |
| 99I006000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 1993–1996 |
The Blazer against its rivals
The Blazer draws 3.6 complaints per production run; the Toyota 4-Runner 1.7. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Blazer | 6,388 | 1,761 | 10.6% | |
| Toyota 4-Runner | 768 | 448 | 11.7% |
How serious were they
Of the 6,388 reports on the Chevrolet Blazer, 10.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Blazer | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 6,388 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 676 (10.6%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 128 (2%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 457 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 27 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 83% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Chevrolet Blazer share of that is 6,388 complaints over 1,761 runs, 0.57% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Blazer VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 6,388 NHTSA complaints from 1,761 Blazer runs and 46 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Blazer production run has the most complaints?
1GNDT13W4T2, a 1996 build, with 57 complaints, 8 of them after a crash. The typical Blazer run has 3.6.
Which Blazer years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1998 is heaviest at 6.5 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 1.2.
Does the Blazer get more complaints than the Toyota 4-Runner?
Yes: 3.6 complaints per production run for the Blazer against 1.7 for the Toyota 4-Runner.
How many Blazer complaints involve a crash?
10.6% of 6,388 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 128 involved a fire.
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