2004 Chevrolet Blazer

Routine

Owners filed 50 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the Chevrolet Blazer years to avoid. Which Chevrolet Blazer years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
38,000 milesMedian miles at failure

39 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.

Most common 2004 Chevrolet Blazer problems

8 of the 50 complaints (16%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System6
101
Structure › Body · body and frame3
001
Service Brakes · brakes3
000
Air Bags · airbags3
101
Tires2
102
Suspension2
000
Structure · body and frame2
000
Steering2
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission2
100
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Other › Labels04V132000
Filed Mar 18, 2004183,922 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Risk. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Mar 8, 2018162,327 milesTX

COUPLE WEEK AFTER BOUGHT, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. COST 11OO TO FIX.FEB. 26 LOOK OUT DOOR IN MORNING AND AIR BAGS EXPLODED AND CAUSE ALL ELECTRIC SYSTEM TO GO OUT. BRAKE WAS ON STREET, AIR BAG WAS IN DRIVEWAY AT HOME.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 27, 201883,000 milesTX

WOKE UP IN MORNING AFTER STORM AND LOOKED OUT TO FIND THAT THE AIR BAG IN BLAZER HAD EXPLODED OUT. SHUT ALL SYSTEM OFF.? THE BLAZER WAS AND IS STILL STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 6, 201670,139 milesMD

BRAKE LINE CORRODED THROUGH AND LOST REAR BRAKES DURING STOP--DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR PROPERLY---PART NO LONGER AVAILABLE THRU GEN MOTORS--WENT OUT DURING STOP ON HIGHWAY --NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR PEOPLE--GROSELY LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP SAFELY.

Structure
Filed Dec 4, 2014121,000 milesDE

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, MY DRIVER'S DOOR FLEW OPEN. NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. I AM ABLE TO MANUALLY MOVE THE LATCH WITH THE DOOR OPEN BUT IT WILL NOT ENGAGE TO SECURE THE DOOR SHUT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 13, 2014105,000 milesMA

AFTER REPLACING BRAKE PADS ON VEHICLE I WAS PUMPING BRAKES TO BLEED OUT AIR IN THE LINES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. REQUIRED 100% REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKE LINES. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 15, 2014125,173 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT OF LOWES, THE DOOR HINGE ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILED ALONG WITH LATCH ALLOWING IT FALL OFF. MAKING DOOR UNCLOSABLE AND CAR UNDRIVABLE. AFTER TAKING IT TO REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC SHOWED ME SEVERAL OTHER 2004 CHEVY BLAZERS WITH THE EXACT SAME HINGE FAILURE. HE HAS REPAIRED SO MANY OF THEM WITH THE SAME PROBLEM HE CONCLUDED IT MUST BE A DEFECT. REPAIR COST FOR THIS ARE ESTIMATED AT $1K AS THE HINGE MUST BE REPLACED AND RE ENFORCED, ALONG WITH THE DRIVERS DOOR AND LOCKING LATCH. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 1, 201460,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNCIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 1, 2014MA

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION. THE KEY DOES NOT RELEASE AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CAR MUST BE TURNED BACK ON AND OFTEN MOVED IN REVERSE THEN FORWARD A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THE KEY WILL RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION . *TR

Seat Belts
Filed May 12, 2014NJ

2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SEAT BELT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT EXTEND. THE DEALER INDICATED THE BELT WAS PROBABLY KNOTTED WITHIN THE MECHANISM. HE STATED THE COST FOR THE PART AND LABOR WOULD BE AROUND $300.00. *JB

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 7, 201489,630 milesOH

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR VERY SLOWLY. REPAIRED BRAKES WITH ALL NEW COMPONENTS; ROTORS, PADS, CALIPERS, NEW BRAKE FLUID. BLED BRAKES AND PEDAL IS STILL VERY SPONGY AND PEDAL WILL STILL GO DOWN TO FLOOR AFTER STOPPING. CAR WILL NOT MOVE IF YOU HOLD THE PEDAL DOWN. FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT SPONGY BRAKES ON CHEVROLET CARS.IS THERE A PROBLEM THAT I CAN NOT FIND FOR THESE CARS? *TR

Suspension
Filed Mar 31, 201412,400 milesTX

2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION WAS FIXED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, DUE TO THE FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN. IN NOVEMBER 2013, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. PER THE MECHANIC, THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CAME APART, AGAIN AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A HEAVY KEY CHAIN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TWO WHEEL THRUST ALIGNMENT, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SERVICED TWICE WITHIN 7 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JB

Power Train
Filed Dec 31, 2013200,000 milesFL

GOT INTO THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING AND WHEN I PLACED IT INTO REVERSE I HEARD A LOUD SHATTERING NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT BACK UP. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE "SUN" GEAR HAD SHATTERED WITH A REPAIR COST OF 2300.00. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO A WEAK GEAR FROM THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER RESEARCHING IT ON LINE I AM FINDING MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE GM CUSTOMER REP WAS VERY SHORT AND STATED THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE NO CLAIM. IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ONGOING PROBLEM GM COULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES AND SAVED A LOT OF GRIEF FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED SOME OF THE EXPENSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *TR

TiresCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 8, 201370,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN THE VEHICLE HYDRO PLANED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN BONES AND TORN MUSCLES IN THE ELBOW OF HER LEFT ARM. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND SWELLING TO THE LEFT ANKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED BUT DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Visibility
Filed Sep 12, 20113,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT BLOW FROM THE VENTS WHEN SET ON LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,101. UPDATED 10/12/11*LJ UPDATED 10/26/11

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 13, 2009120,000 milesVT

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL EVAPORATION SYSTEM ARE BAD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Mar 25, 200949,000 milesNY

2004 CHEVY BLAZER 4.3 V6 VEHICLE 49,000 MILES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING .NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE THEY USED CHEAP PLASTIC GASKET IN COMBINATION WITH DEXCOOL FLUID SOME SAY RESULT IN MELTDOWN OF FUEL LINE GASKET RESULTING IN FIRE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 10, 200978,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 110 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD RESET ITSELF BACK TO NORMAL ONCE THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PREVENTS HIM FROM KNOWING HOW FAST HE IS TRAVELING. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WILL BE NOTIFIED IF THEY CHOOSE TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,900.

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 26, 200946,000 milesVA

2004 CHEVY BLAZER WITH 46,000 MILES ;SEVERE EROSION OF BALL JOINT WAS NOTED UPON ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jan 22, 200924,563 milesMI

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR DROPPED ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH AND THE LOCK WAS DRAGGING ON THE STRIKER PLATE ON THE DOOR JAM. AND GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO IT WAS IN TO THE DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE AND LUBE. I REQUESTED AT THAT TIME THAT THE LEFT DOOR BY LUBRICATED BECAUSE IT HAD STARTED TO CREAK WHEN OPENED AND CLOSED. THEY SAID THEY LUBED IT BUT THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. SUBSEQUENTLY I TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR A LONG TIME ON GM PRODUCTS AS MANY AS TWENTY FIVE OR THIRTY YEARS. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER ON 1-21-2009, WEDNESDAY AND THE WRITE UP PERSON ASKED A SUPERVISOR TO LOOK AT IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT A BUSHING, PIN OR HINGE WAS FAILING. AND THAT IT WOULD COST $150.00 TO REPAIR IT. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE SERVICE POLICY I HAVE ON THIS VEHICLE EXCLUDES HINGES FROM BEING COVERED. AT THAT TIME HE ASKED ME IF I STILL WANTED IT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 24500 MILES ON IT. AND IF I DIDN'T REPAIR IT EVENTUALLY THE DOOR WOULD BE EITHER UNABLE TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THERE WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE TRYING TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT HAVING IT REPAIRED AND BEING EITHER UNABLE TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR. SUBSEQUENTLY I TOLD THEM TO REPAIR THE HINGES, PIN OR BUSHINGS SO THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE MADE SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE THE PARTS THAT THEY REPLACED. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS $135.59. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 13, 2009PA

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PROBLEM I THINK- WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN DURING A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES- VEHICLE WILL PULL ABOUT 8-15 FEET TO THE RIGHT AND DOESN'T STOP UNTIL IT'S DONE PULLING YOU THIS DISTANCE. NOW THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT IS WET OUT AND DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYTIME YOU BRAKE. I RECENTLY WAS BRAKING AT A RED LIGHT GOING ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOURS AND BEGAN BRAKING ABOUT 4 CAR LENGTHS BEFORE THE LIGHT AND MY BLAZER DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT TURNED THE CORNER ABOUT 15 FEET TO THE RIGHT. I WAS NOT TRYING TO TURN THE CORNER THE VEHICLE CROSSED OVER THE CORNER SIDEWALK AND LANDED AROUND THE CORNER. THIS IS VERY SCARY WHILE IT IS PULLING YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND AM TOLD THAT THEIR EQUIPMENT CAN'T DETECT A PROBLEM. I ALSO KNOW OTHER PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO AND AFTER THEY DISCONNECT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM THE PROBLEM SUBSIDES. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE I DO NOT WANT TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE ONE. THE CHEVY DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION ON WHAT TO DO HE SAID HE WOULD THINK IT IS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM BUT SINCE THE EQUIPMENT DOESN'T INDICATE PROBLEM HE CAN'T SEE ONE. I INQUIRED IF THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION/ANTI SKID SYSTEM HE DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE . CHARGED ME FOR LOOKING AT IT AND TOLD ME TO BE CAREFUL AND IF I KEPT HAVING THIS PROBLEM TO STOP BACK AGAIN (EVEN THOUGH THEY COULDN'T DETECT PROBLEM) I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A FEW YEARS AND OVE

Electrical System
Filed Jan 8, 200958,289 milesIL

2004 TRAILBLAZER LS FAULTY SPEEDOMETER. THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTION G UP ONE DAY WHEN I WAS GOING 50MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER WENT UP TO 100MPH BY ITSELF. EVER SINCE THEN IS HAS BEEN READING WHATEVER IT WANTS. I HAVE ALSO HEARD A STRANGE NOISE FROM MY OTHER GAUGES ON MY PANEL. I TOOK IT INTO A DEALERSHIP AND HAD A DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON THE SUV. THEY STATED I HAD A FAULTY SPEEDOMETER AND IT WOULD RUN ABOUT $600.00 TO FIX. THEY STATED GM HAD A RECALL NOTICE OUT ON A NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE 2004 BLAZER DIDN'T FALL UNDER THIS NOTICE. AT THIS TIME I DON"T HAVE A TRUE SPEED READING AND MY TACHOMETER HAS STARTED STICKING. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EVERYDAY. AT THIS TIME I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Apr 23, 200824,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 110 MPH. WHEN SHE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL SUDDENLY DROPPED BELOW ZERO AND IS CURRENTLY HANGING STRAIGHT DOWN. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,000.

Tires
Filed Apr 6, 2008VA

TIRES ARE DRY ROTTED AND LOOK VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON. THEY WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY 2004 S10 BLAZER AND HAVE ONLY 37,000 MILES ON THEM WITH ALOT OF TREAD LEFT. THE SIDEWALLS AND BETWEEN THE TREAD ARE CRACKING. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 7, 2008112,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY SUN GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,000.

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jan 5, 200848,000 milesNJ

TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL OF TIRE WAS SEPERATED FROM TREAD. UNIROYAL LAREDO, 102S , P235/70R15, M+S. VEHICLE HAS 48000 MILES ,VG TREAD ON TIRES. *CN

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 15, 200725 milesNJ

AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 1, 200731,662 milesAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHEN THE CONTACTS WIFE WENT TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. SHE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND TAPPED THE BATTERY CABLES WITH A HAMMER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND SHE SHUT THE HOOD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HOOD POPPED OPEN AND SMASHED INTO HER WINDSHIELD, CAUSING THE GLASS TO SHATTER. SHE PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE HOOD, BUT IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. SHE MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE HOOD AND TIE IT SECURELY WITH A ROPE. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 31,662. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REGISTRATION, BILL OF SALE, SERVICE INVOICES, VEHICLE INSPECTION AND GM VEHICLE SUMMARY. THE DEALER STATED INTERMITTENT INCORRECT TURN SIGNAL OPERATION. UPDATED 08/23/07 *TR UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed May 5, 2007CA

GRAND DAUGHTER TRIED TO BUCKLE HER SEAT BELT AND THE BUCKLE CAME OFF IN HER HAND. LOOKS LIKE THE SEAT BELT CAME APART. 2005 VEHICLE TAHOE. HAD WE HIT SOMETHING OR BEEN HIT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED HER FROM BEING THROWN OUT OF HER SEAT. SHOULD BE REPLACED FOR FREE BEINGS EVERYONE IS DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO STAY SAFE AND THAT IS A STATE MANDATED SAFETY FEATURE THAT SHOULD BE IN EXCELLENT WORKING ORDER WHEN BUYING A VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical SystemCrash1 injured
Filed May 3, 20076,000 milesID

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY BRAKES ABRUPTLY. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ANOTHER FAILURE WAS WHAT THE MECHANICS CALLED SURGING. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SURGED WITH SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK FROM THE STEERING WHEEL THAT ALSO SHOCKED HER FEET. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THIS FAILURE. OTHER FAILURES INCLUDED REPLACING THE BATTERY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD, CD PLAYER, DOOR LOCKS, CLOCK, AND INTERIOR LIGHTING MALFUNCTION, AND FAILURE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ALMOST FELL OFF COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE LIFTED APPROXIMATELY THREE INCHES IN ORDER FOR IT TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY HAD FUEL FAILURES, COMPLETELY LOST POWER, AND WOULD NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT REPORTED A FRAME FAILURE THE FRAME FELT AS IF IT WAS SHIFTING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND GEARING TO THE RIGHT. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DUE TO ALIGNMENT. THE BALL JOINT AND AXLES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR. DURING THE FAILURE SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT BEGAN TO LOCK AND MAKE GRINDING NOISES. SHE RELEASED THE STEERING WHEEL AND REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE SPUN IN CIRCLES, AND THE FRONT END STRUCK THE SIDE WALLS OF THE HIGHWAY. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Aug 30, 200627,323 milesMS

CAR STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE WHEN I TURNED TO THE RIGHT SHORTLY AFTER HAVING A SPRING REPLACED IN DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE. WITHIN A WEEK THE RATTLING PROGRESSED TO A GRINDING. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT, KNOWING I WAS ABOUT TO GO ON A LONG TRIP. I LEFT FOR MY TRIP (9 HOUR DRIVE) AFTER ABOUT 5 HOURS, THIS GRINDING NOISE WAS CONSTANT, THEN ABS LIGHT CAME ON, STARTED MESSING WITH MY STEERING, THEN, WHILE TRYING TO GET TO A DEALERSHIP IN THE CLOSEST CITY ( STILL AN HOUR AWAY FROM MY DESTINATION) TIRE BROKE OFF AT THE BEARINGS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR 4 LANE HIGHWAY. THANK GOODNESS THE OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO MISS ME, AVOIDING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. ALTHOUGH I WAS TOLD YOU DON'T HAVE A LAWSUIT UNLESS THERE'S AN INJURY, SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS GOOD OR NOT!!!!! *NM THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. UPDATED *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Apr 25, 2006FL

MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER HAD BEEN IN THE MAROONE SERVICE DEPT 5 TIMES DURING THE FIRST 27000 DUE TO LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE STOP ON TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. THE LAST TIME WAS LAST WEEK AND THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. I ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT ON THE TURNPIKE TRYING TO PASS A CAR, CAR IS NOT RESPONDING AS NECESSARY. I PREVIOUSLY OWNER A BLAZER, AND A TRAILBLAZER AND THEY WERE GREAT. THIS TRUCK IS GIVING ME A HARD TIME, LOST OF TIME AND CONFIDENCE. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Dec 9, 200554,200 milesKY

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHEN HAVING THE TIRES ALIGNED THE CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS/THE FRONT PASSENGER TIE ROD, AND IDLE ARM WERE EXTREMELY WORN OUT AND HAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK THE WORK WAS DONE AT C&H REPAIRS AT LOUISVILLE,KY. THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLES AT DEALERSHIP WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *AK

Suspension
Filed Aug 13, 200560 milesMI

WE LEASED A 2004 CHEVY BLAZER IN JULY OF 2004, THIS VEHICLE ROCKS, SHIMMIES, SHAKES, RATTLES, HARD TO HANDLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS, EVEN WHEN STANDING STILL AND THERE IS TRAFFIC GOING BY AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE ROCKS, SO IT IS NOT SAFE AT ANY SPEED. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SUNDANCE CHEVROLET IN GRAND LEDGE MI, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT DID DO SOME REPAIR WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION. CHEVROLET WOULD NOT EVEN GO INTO ARBITRATION, BUT DID PUT A 90,000 BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN HIGH WINDS IT FEELS AS IT YOU ARE ON A ROLLER COASTER RIDE.*JB

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Jul 20, 2005DE

DT: 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON DRIVER'S SIDE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT. HE HEARD A HUMMING NOISE AND THOUGHT IT NEEDED THE TIRES ROTATED. HE HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED AND THE VEHICLE STILL MADE THE NOISE. CONSUMER'S MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS MALFUNCTIONED. TTHIS WAS CONFIRMED AT NEW CAR CHEVROLET. THE BEARINGS WERE TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT 1000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO.*AK

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 7, 2005200 milesMI

BLAZER FEELS AS IF IT IS GOING TO ROLL OVER IN HIGH WINDS, SHAKES, ON THE HIGHWAY YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ON A ROLLER COASTER RIDE. BLAZERS ARE SUPPOSEDLY THE DEADIEST VEHICLES ON THE ROAD TODAY.

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Apr 6, 200520,000 milesTX

IN A 2004 CHEVY BLAZER, 20000 MILES. 4 WHEEL DRIVE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL ACTUATOR FAILED TO ENGAGE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACTUATOR HAD CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT IT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT PART ALSO FAILED SHORTLY AFTER BEING CONNECTED AND A THIRD PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. ALL REPLACEMENTS WERE CONDUCTED BY MANUFACTURER.*AK

Structure
Filed Feb 16, 2005NY

SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. SPARE TIRE IS EXTERIOR MOUNTED AT REAR OF VEHICLE IN SUCH A POSITION THAT REAR VISION IS OBSTRUCTED BY ABOUT 75%. *BF IF THE REAR SEATS HEAD REST WAS UP, THERE WOULD ALMOST BE 100% VISION LOSS. ALSO, IF AND WHEN BACKING UP, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE IF VEHICLES, OBJECTS, OR PEDESTRIANS WERE BEHIND THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 15, 20053,000 milesMN

VEHICLE VIBRATES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH. DEALER ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT COULDN'T FIX IT.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Sep 7, 20048,000 milesIA

THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Sep 2, 200470 milesGA

2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER GOT 70 MILES, THE SERVICE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON BEEN IN SHOP 5 DAYS NOW . IT SKIPPED, CUT OUT .*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 5, 2004WI

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LUNGED OR ACCELERATED. ON FRIDAY JULY 3O, 2004 VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM 55 TO 65 MPH. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. *AK

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Aug 3, 2004MI

WATER SOMEHOW GETS INTO THE B-PILLAR OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN IT RAINS OR THE VEHICLE GETS PUT THROUGH THE CARWASH. CUSTOMER NOTICED THE SEAT BELT WAS SOAKED WHEN PULLED OUT. CUSTOMER IS WORRIED ABOUT SEAT BELT STRENGTH DIMINISHING AND FAILING IN AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THE BELT IS WET ALL THE WAY TO THE END WHEN PULLED OUT, THE MECHANISM THAT RAVELS UP THE BELT MUST BE WET ALSO. RUSTING AND MECHANISM FAILURE COULD RESULT. SEATBELT ALSO IS MILDEWING AND STARTING TO SMELL.*AK

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Jul 30, 20041,500 milesWI

WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING ARM ADJUSTING SLEEVE FOR THE TIE ROD HAD 100% SURFACE RUST. THIS COULD RUST THROUGH, AND RESULT IN STEERING LOSS. THE ADJUSTING SLEEVE WAS ONLY 1/8 OF AN INCH THICK. DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS OKAY, BUT WOULD NOT SUPPLY DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT THE ASSERTION. . THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL VEHICLES.*AK *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 9, 200438,000 milesAL

I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON AN INTERSTATE. WITHOUT WARNING MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I RESTARTED IT A FEW MOMENT LATER AND CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD. APPROX 30 MIN LATER WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, IT SUDDENLY STOPPED AGAIN. DURING THE NEXT 2 HOURS, IT QUIT 5 MORE TIMES, USUALLY AT STOP SIGNALS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO HAD IT FOR TWO DAYS AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Jul 3, 20043,222 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL JUST CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. IT FIRST OCCURED ON MAY 20, 2004. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO COULD FIND NO PROBLEM.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jun 25, 200451,702 milesNY

ALL OF A SUDDEN IN LATE MAY WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES THEY MADE A CRUSHING SOUND AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. SO AT 51000 MILES I AM TOLD THAT MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW BADLY THE ROTORS WE RUSTED. AFTER THE BRAKES WE REPAIRED ABS STILL KICKS IN AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPS. SO I HAD TO TAKE THE VECHICLE TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP SO THEY COULD DO A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS AND I AM TOLD THAT MY ABS MODUL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST IS APPROX $1300. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS WAS NORMAL AT 51000 MILES THE MAN SAID "IT'S A BLAZER". OH, DID I MENTION MY FRONT BEARING IS ALSO SHOT BUT I'M BROKE. ALSO, IN THE PAST 2 YEARS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AND THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. AFTER THE DEALER "FIXED" IT A FEW TIMES THEN OTHER ISSUES STARTED THE GAS GAGE DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. I'VE HAD IT WITH THE DEALER AND KNOW I JUST DEAL WITH IT.*AK

Steering
Filed May 25, 20043,000 milesNY

WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROADS, THE CONSUMER WOULD MOMENTARILY LOOSE STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed May 11, 2004150 milesTX

VIBRATION AND DRONING NOISE STARTED 1 1/2 WEEKS (APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER 9 OR 10, 2003, AFTER PURCHASE ON 11/24/2003. LEVELS OF VIBRATIONS RANGE FROM LIGHT TO MEDIUM TO HEAVY; LEVELS OF DRONING NOISE RANGE FROM LIGHT TO MEDIUM TO HEAVY. 1. 1ST REPAIR VISIT--1/17/04 FOR VIBRATION AND DRONING--(DRONING WAS NOT MENTIONED ON SERVICE ORDER;WHEN LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VIBRATION AND DRONING NOISE WORSE THAN WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT IN. SERVICE ORDER HAD "1465 EXCESSIVE EXHAUST VIBRATION L2004 .4 TO ALIGN EXHAUST SYSTEM .5 TO INSTALL CLAMP KIT INSTALL EXHAUST WEIGHTS 602 LINE TOTAL .9 HR" 2. TRUCK WAS IMMEDIATELY RETURNED 1/17/04 FOR EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND DRONING AND WAS ASKED TO RETURN TRUCK ON MONDAY. 3. TRUCK TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR ON 1/19/04; "1563 REPOSITON BRCKTS FOR VIBRATION VIBRATION NORMAL FOR A SIX CYLINDER OPERATING AS DESIGNED 602." 4. TRUCK TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR ON 2/2/04 AT 7 A.M.; KEPT TRUCK ALL DAY AND OVERNIGHT. 2050 ADJUST EXHAUST, TRANS, AND ENGINES MOUNTS TO CHANGE COMMON FREQUENCY OF VIBRATION. NO CHARGE REFERENCE VEHICLE 4K124143 STOCK VEHICLE 602. 5. ON 2/4/2004, MET WITH GM REPRESENTATIVE, DAN SOTELO; ENGINE RUNNING AS DESIGNED, NO DEFECTS NOTED, SAID HE RODE IN IT (NOT WHILE I WAS THERE) HE DID SIT IN TRUCK WITH ME AND THE MGR OF SERVICE ALONG WITH ANOTHER GENTLEMAN. 6. ON 2/23/04, TRUCK TAKEN TO FRANK PARRA CHEVROLET, IRVING, TX, FOR VIBRATION AND ABNORMAL NOISE. FRANK PARRA COULD NOT HEAR ANY NOISE SO NO CORRECTIONS WERE DONE; CHECKED FOR TROUBLE CODES, SERVICE BU

Structure › Body1 injured
Filed Apr 27, 2004IN

THE PLASTIC RUNNING BOARD IS LOOSE AND CUT THE DRIVER'S LEG. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Mar 31, 200410,000 milesNE

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH A PASSING VEHICLE SPLASHED MUD ONTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER TRIED TO REMOVE THE MUD WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS,BUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

All 50 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261000Routine
202535100Routine
202453100Routine
202344200Routine
202255110Routine
2021141110Routine
2020224310Above average
2019189200Routine
20085000Routine
20079000Routine
200619010Routine
200515020Routine
2004 — this page50100Routine
200377100Routine
2002246260Above average
2001326352Fatalities reported
2000589472Fatalities reported
1999436090Above average
199871631513Fatalities reported
19977687284Fatalities reported
19961,15311322Fatalities reported
19951,22411260High concern
1994620776Fatalities reported
19935117121Fatalities reported
1992278691Fatalities reported
19912227150Above average
199032470Routine

Compare every Blazer year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 18, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.