Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chevrolet Blazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at 80 MPH and attempting to pass another vehicle throttle stuck open. Consumer depressed the brakes, but there was no response. Also, emergency brakes failed to respond as well. To avoid a collision with another vehicle consumer detoured into a dry river bed. Vehicle finally stopped on its top against a fence.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact was driving approximately between 40-45 MPH on a country roadway. There was pressure applied to the accelerator pedal, followed by an unintended increase of acceleration. The driver was able to resume to normal operation. In addition, the "engine" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. The identical failures occurred on three separation occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The head gasket was blown as a result of the failures. The vehicle was repaired for the malfunctions. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 08/24/10. The consumer stated there were 2 incidents of the accelerator sticking; putting in the clutch and kicking the accelerator corrected the problem at the time. …
Dt: this was the second complaint consumer filed on same issue on same vehicle. This was the second time vehicle had malfunctioned, and consumer did not have the odi number for the original failure. Consumer stopped at a red light with vehicle in drive engine rpms red lined and brake pedal went to the floor. Vehicle then started pulling away and going through red light. Consumer pulled vehicle into park and vehicle stopped moving, and engine red lined until it stopped on its own after about two seconds. Consumer tapped the gas pedal a few times with vehicle in park and vehicle went back to normal idle. When this happened consumer was not in the same place as the last time but vehicle acted exactly the same as last time.
Vehicle accelerated suddenly and unexpectedly, resulting in a collision . *note: on June 19th, the consumer called again to state that the dealership found the source of the problem for sudden acceleration in the vehicle. The dealership stated that the idle air control was the defective component and needed to be replaced. Operator 920. Please provide any additional information/attachment.
The vehicle was in the park position, consumer placed the vehicle from park to drive and the vehicle accelearated in drive. Consumer applied force to the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated again in reverse, causing the consumer to have a collision.
Driving vehicle at speed 20mph, applied ABS brakes, pedal went to the floor and vehicle went into open throttle position, impact 1:00 position, lost control, vechile flipped over. Consumer was injured in accident.
Accelerator pedal sticks in idle position. It seems to be worse the first time the pedal is pressed after the engine is first started. However, since 5 months have elapsed since the problem was first noticed, it seems to stick now almost every time the pedal goes back to the idle position. It feels as though something is holding the accelerator in the idle position, as if it is snagged on something. After you apply extra force to overcome the sticking, it travels smoothly with no other snagging. A co-worker owns a 1997 Blazer and is having the same problem. I have driven at least 2 different company vehicles which were 1998 and 1999 model GM minivans with a similar sticking accelerator. All of these vehicles, including mine, stick only in the idle position. …
Transmission was slipping out of gear when accelerating from stop or RPM's will rev high, but vehicle will not move as fast as it should. Consumer took vehicle back to Pontiac dealer where vehicle was purchased, and was told a power train control module needed to be replaced. Advised consumer to go to a Chevrolet dealer to perform repair because it still fell under manufacturer's warranty. Consumer took vehicle to Chevrolet dealer, and was told a TSB was issued for a harness jumper kit which was causing the defect. Chevrolet dealer did not inspect vehicle to determine if that was the actual cause.
While traveling on the highway vehicle accelerated without prior warning, dealership is aware of the problem. Consumer stated when she took her foot off the accelerator to slow the vehicle down, the vehicle stayed at the same speed, consumer tried downshifting and pumping the brakes, she had to slam on the brakes and use the emergency brake to slow the vehicle down enough to get off of the freeway, consumer stated the dealer replaced the accelerator cable, brakes, shoes, calipers and rotors.
1996 Chevrolet s-10 Blazer engine started revving while consumer was stopped with brake pedal depressed. The consumer stated the vehicle started to move forward into the intersection. When he placed the gear into park everything returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. No mechanical or electrical failure could be found nor were any trouble codes stored in the computer.
Acceleration complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, 2% of the model year's 1,153 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet Blazer acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Blazer acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 150,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.