Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
Driving approx. 35 MPH north on 5700 blk of tacony st philadelphia pa 19137, 2005 silver Honda pulls out of drive way hits the rear passenger side and rear passenger tire of truck, truck then spins and flips over. No air bag deployed at all sustained injuries. Was taken by rescue to hospital.
I own a 1996 Chevy Blazer. My granddaughter was driving in wet weather, lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a rock cliff. The car is totaled and I am concerned because the airbag did not deploy. I believe the impact was strong enough that they should have deployed. It was a front end collision and she was going approximately 25 miles per hour. Although she was not going fast, the impact was very hard, enough to total the car. The whole front end was destroyed. She was very lucky that she was not seriously hurt, but I am concerned that if it had been a different situation that she could have been fatally wounded if the air bag did not deploy.
Dt: the consumer was involved in an accident and the air bag failed to deploy. The consumer was traveling 40-45 MPH at the time of accident. The air bag light was on at time of accident. Frontal impact occurred. The consumer was wearing his seat belt at the time of impact. In wet conditions, the brakes did not grab and the consumer experienced extended stopping distance. Consumer states that the air bag system has always been a problem every since the purchase of the vehicle. Consumer feels that this is a safety issue and it need to be addressed. Vehicle is out of warranty and can not be repaired because of it.
Dt: the problem began in March 1996. The vehicle has an air bag light that stays on. Had a front end collision in October 2004, and air bags did not deploy. The speed at the time of impact was 45 MPH. No airbags at all deployed, vehicle is equipped with the driver's air bag only. Occupant was wearing seat belt. Air bag light was on prior to accident. Dealership is not able to identify or repair the air bag light that stays on. There are invoices.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact was traveling 40 MPH when the vehicle was involved in a front end crash with another vehicle. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle had performed as designed based on the specifications of the crash. The current and failure mileage was 145,000.
While driving 55 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision. It struck a retaining cement wall. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. The impact caused the consumer to strike the steering wheel, cracking it.
I was involved in an accident on May 6, 1999. I had a vehicle pull out in front of me going about 65 MPH. I ended up t- boning him on his driver side. My air bag did not deploy, my seatbelt did not hold me in position to where I hit the rearveiw mirror with my forehead and broke it. The road surface was wet because it had rained earlier. The boy in the other vehicle was driving an older model s-10 Blazer the impact throw him to the passenger side of his vehicle. He substained minor injuries while am suffering from severe whiplash, back-aches, head-aches and numbness. I strongly feel with the impact I took the air bag should"ve deployed and the seat belt should"ve held me in place and brakes would"ve slowed me down sooner. …
Dt: contact stated drivers side airbag failed to deploy on two separate occasions. The first incidentoccurred in October, 2003. Contact's vehicle was almost at a complete stop when it was hit in the rear end by a vehicle going approximately 45-50 MPH. The service dealer could not find the problem with the airbag as to why it did not deploy. On the second occasion in October, 2004, contact's vehicle hit another vehicle in the rear part while going about 40-45 MPH, because the brakes to stop his vehicle. A certified mechanic stated it was a malfunction in the airbag system. The dealership ran a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the airbag problem, but could not determine what the cause for non deployment of the airbag.
Was driving 45mph on wet road when another vehicle cut in front. Applied brakes & slid into rear of vehicle. Upon impact with other vehicle, air bags failed to deploy. Problem repaired. Second time, road dry & applied brakes quickly. Heard squealing of brakes & tires. Brakes (ABS) failed to stop vehicle. Ran into ambulance. Once again air bags failed to deploy. Went to emergency room for treatment.
Consumer was driving at approximately 35 MPH and was hit by another vehicle head-on front passeneger's side, causing vehicle to go through a brick wall. Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy, causing serious injuries. Consumer had to be air lifted to hospital into a trauma unit. Seatbelts were worn at the time.
Airbag complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, 5% of the model year's 1,153 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (37 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet Blazer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 49 crashes, 1 fire and 35 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.