1996 Chevrolet Blazer LX 4.3 from North America
Summary:
A high performance, low reliability liability
Faults:
Many small things have plagued my ownership of this car:
Leaky rear axle seals, replaced 4 times.
Alternator replaced 3 times.
Water pump ruined by coolant system, replaced.
Fuel pump went out, caused the vehicle to shut-off in traffic, replaced.
Wipers worn out, replaced.
Occasional electrical short, periodic problems with locks, windows, etc.
General Comments:
The engine and transmission of this vehicle has been very good, and is certainly powerful in its class. For this reason only would I ever consider another Blazer or s-10. However, I feel the car in general has been junkie and unreliable. The only think I can count on is spending a minimum of $250 every couple of months in repair!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 20th April, 2004
15th May 2004, 16:29
Here is a letter I sent to the dealer. Hope this helps with your decision to buy this vehicle.
Dear Sir.
Last May I purchased my second vehicle from "Name of dealer omitted". I was very happy with the first, and matter of fact, still have it with over 225000 miles on it. But this second vehicle, a 1996 Blazer, which I fell in love with, has ended up to be a lemon, and I hate to use that word, but the mechanics laugh when I bring it in to them, which in the last 3 months has been a bi-weekly visit.
I know that after putting on 22K miles, there are going to be wear and tear items that have to be replaced, but I cannot afford to spend 300-500 a month on top of the payment I am making.
I did contact the dealership about 3 months ago, and asked them if there was anything that I can do to trade this vehicle in, and I did at that time have about 2000 dollars saved to help get me out of this problem vehicle. Well that is all gone now, it is put back into the vehicle after numerous repairs.
I will start from the beginning.
One hour after driving it off the lot, I filled up the gas tank, and gas went all over the ground. I should have drove it back to the dealership right then, but I got it fixed instead. The mechanic said someone has had the fuel pump out, and didn't put it back in right.
Over the next few days, the battery was not holding a charge. I replaced it out of my own pocket.
Within the next week or so, the alternator went, and I paid the $100 deductible.
I then got the anti lock brake light on, and took it into a garage, and they replaced pads and rotors, and said that the sensor has been jury rigged with tape from where you bought it from. I did call the warranty people, and of course because of the mileage, I am out of luck, so he said that he would do the same thing that they had done, and temporarily fix it.
Then in the next month, I had the check engine light come on a few times, and it would go off, but I was told that they could not tell what it was, because it has to be on when I bring it into the garage.
I travel for my job, and am on the road a lot, and really depend on my vehicle. Finally one night I was coming home, and I was in at the toll plaza right before "name of city omitted", and the check engine light comes on, and I could not go more than 25 MPH, so I got to the next service area, riding in the breakdown lane all the way, and called a tow truck. Had it towed to a Chevy dealer, and they told me that I blew a fuse to a few sensors, and that I needed a tune up. So after 330 there, and 100 for the tow, it was fixed - yeah right!
Driving through Augusta, the check engine light comes on again and started sputtering, but I got home.
The next day, I got in it, and the light is not on, so I let it go. Then it would come on and go off, no pattern at all, then it started quitting when it was not on, but when the light was on, it would run fine.
Finally it was on when I was near the garage, and they said that it was a mass airflow sensor. Had that replaced, and sure enough on another trip over the next few days, the check engine light comes on, and the car quit in "name of city omitted" late at night. Thank god it started and got me home.
At that point I called the warranty people and asked them to help, and also called the dealership and said I don't feel safe in the car, and want to trade it in. They covered the repair, it was wiring, then of course my ball joints were gone, replaced them, got them fixed the next week.
Upon getting new tires on the car, they told me that gas was leaking out of my gas line, and they needed to fix it. Well again, 220 dollars later.
2 days after that, I was in "name of city omitted" again, and turned left and the CV joint is clicking, and driving home, the anti lock brake light came on.
I can go on and on, but the bottom line is I cannot afford repairs and a payment, it has cost me over 2000 dollars in the last 2-1/2 months, and still needs work. I need to trade this thing in. Is there anything you guys can do for me, PLEASE. I have not said anything negative about this whole deal, but I obviously was a happy customer by coming back and purchasing a second vehicle from you, but I am not happy with this purchase.
Thanks for listening.