Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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
I was driving down the highway when my 1996 Chevy Blazer began to smoke under the hood. The temperature gauge showed the car was not over heating. I pulled off the highway to allow the smoke to clear and pulled the hood release. After 5 minutes the car continued to smoke. I got out of the car to check under the hood. I noticed a black spot on the hood and had the sense to realize the car was on fire without trying to lift the hood. I yelled to my mother to get out of the car. I called 911 to reach the police. When they came they could not put out the fire. The policeman called the fire department to put out the fire. I thank god my 3 year old was not with me strapped in his car seat as he usually travels with me. The car was a total loss in a matter of minutes.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated shortly after the vehicle was parked, flames were noticed dropping to the ground under the front end of the vehicle. Grey smoke was also observed coming from under the hood. The vehicle burned completely, and was considered a total loss. There was a police report and a fire department report processed at the scene. The heat from the fire melted the rear end of another vehicle parked in front of it, and did moderate damage to a third vehicle parked alongside the second vehicle. Updated 12/01/06.
Recently investigated a fire on a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer. Fire origin is at the driver side front door panel at the power mirror switch. If any one else has experienced a fire in this location please contact me at 610-392-[redacted] and nhsta.
Put the cigarette lighter in. Got out of my car and walked to the front of the car. By the time got back to the door of the car to get my things out for work the dashboard of my car was on fire.
1996 chev Blazer, we have replaced the alternator twice, the battery 3 times and if it is not started and or driven every day, then we have to jump it ? What can the problem be. It only has 55,000 miles on it. I drove it all week and on Saturday, did not drive it on Sunday and Monday morning I had to get it jumped. This has been going on for sometime ? I have taken it to my local dealer and another mechanic and all they want to do is put another alternator on it. I don't want to pay for a 3rd alternator ????? Help !!!!! We have check all interor lights and they have not been left on. What is draining the batery and or alternator ??? We also have the gurgling noise in complaint # 735807. Thanks alice m. Eads.
On my 1996 Chevy Blazer it was recently brought to my attention that I had no rear brake lights. I brought the vehicle to my regular mechanic and I was told that the multifunction switch was defective, as I had no rear hazards either. The only operational brake light was the overhead center light. I had the item replaced and received the car back yesterday, but decided to google the item and came up with the recall #01V364000. This recall only covers GMC related vehicles during calendar years 2000-2002. I have the receipt for work and have the defective part in my possession.
I am seriously concerned about enguine fires on these vehicles. We also lost a 1995 Blazer to a fire approximately 6 months ago. I have learned of many similar losses to others through informal contact with car owners, mostly by mentioning this in conversation and finding out that there was a friend or relative with a similar problem. This should be investigated. I am extremely thankful that during both fires my 3 and 5 year olds were not in the car and strapped into their car seats. The smoke was horrible and filled the car quickly. This could have been disasterous.
While we were all asleep, our Blazer's fuse box ignited and burned the interior extensively. The Blazer was parked in the garage attached to our home. It could have been very serious. Now chev. Doesn't want to stand behind their product. We are out of a vehicle, but the insurance people will give what they think the inside is worth. Would you want to drive something that nearly killed your family? Doesn't chev. Believe in family and safety?
Electrical complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, 5% of the model year's 1,153 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet Blazer electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 16 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.