Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
On March 23, 2023 ABS Extended Stopping Distance on snow / slush surface proceeding downhill on a 4 lane highway (7200 South Wasatch Blvd. Midvale Utah). Other vehicles around me were stopping without issue. I noticed my ABS brakes were making the (typical operating sound a type of grinding) and I wasn't stopping. I changed lanes twice to provide for more stopping distance and eventually stopped in the left turn lane within 2 feet from rear-ending other cars had I remained in the inside lane. Located Investigation EA94-038 noting 10,000 complaints, 2000 accidents, 600 injuries. Chevrolet Safety campaign 99I006000 addressing a PCM coding change and replacing the Kelsey Hayes ABS actuator unit. Chevrolet at [phone] declined to say whether this recall was in force, was a valid recall or had ever existed.
Car accident was May 2008 was reported to usaa insurance and nc commissioner. I am former us army spouse and contractor 15 years. I am back at home of record. I have lost over $5000 to this incident and I deal with added medical disabilities from this dealing with chronic back, tbi ptsd and brain injury to left side. Confirmed with cat scan and army womack hospital. Did not have health care at the time. I have had ignition switch. The light bulb dealing with nc testing issues costing me with testing. Ohio thanks goodness not. But brights don't come on. Radio clock stays on drained battery in the past. Also, there was a problem with the brakes. I tried to get a service but didn't know where in dayton , ohio.....updated10/20/15
Applied brakes while two car lengths behind another car in traffic on freeway, going about 25 MPH. Brake pedal went to floor, car did not stop until it hit car in front of us. While braking on wet pavement, or rr tracks, or uneven pavement the ABS fails and pedal goes to floor. At my expense I took car to GMC dealership to check brakes. I was told car had no open recalls. They looked at ABS and said there were no errors coming up. GMC said brake pads were worn - they were replaced 6 months ago, and then again about 30 days prior to accident. Mechanic took us on test drive over uneven pavement, we tried to brake, and ABS went to floor, stopping was extremely delayed. We were told that was "normal". He also said that if we had GMC brake pads then we would have been able to stop better. Opened call with GMC and was told that due to mileage of car there was nothing they could do. …
Brake failure. Brake work done several times including recall of ABS. Which is not included in repair cost. The vehicle was involved in an accident on July 9 2002. The brakes failed without warning at slow speed on surface street resulting in a three car collision one vehicle was totaled. Accident costs not included. Minor injury to drivers of two of the vehicles. Contacted GM and was told that recall work had been done and so would not take any responsiblily etc. Vehicle has been parked since as unable to verify what actual problem is. Brakes failed again when the autobody repair shop took it in for brake check prior to returning to us.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer. While driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise was heard from the brakes when the brake pedal was depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel began to seize and the turn signals began to malfunction. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the struts, and both driver and passenger side brake pads and rotors failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was not aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 142,185.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that the brakes failed and the brake pedal traveled to the floor. The ABS light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was determined that the pressure modulator valve needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the part was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 81,000. Updated 5/4/15 the consumer stated the ABS midule shorted out. Updated 05/07/15
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.
Three accidents have occurred in which braking was a factor. One crash involved a slow-speed, rear-end collision where the brakes were applied, the anti-lock system was activated but the stopping distance was extensive. The second crash involved wet, slick pavement and when brakes were applied, the anti-locks activated, inability to steer and a spinout occurred. In the third accident, pavement was wet, slushy in areas. At an approximate speed of 25 MPH, brakes were applied at a yield intersection. The anti-lock brakes activated, the ability to steer the vehicle was lost and stopping distance was excessive, causing a crash with a vehicle in the intersection. In the third crash (3-05-99), this inability to stop/steer was reported in writing to our insurance carrier (usaa) and also to the GM bodyshop who repaired the vehicle. …
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. …
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from September 1989 through August 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing…
Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
NHTSA investigations
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
Brake complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 443 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, 38% of the model year's 1,153 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (341 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet Blazer brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-193 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Jul 19, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Blazer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 102 crashes, 3 fires and 59 injuries and 1 death to brakes 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.