General Comments:

I love the 96 Chevy Blazer. I NEVER have been stranded on the side of the road.

I have taken at least 15 trips, out of state and never had any issues.

I put on 2 radiators, a battery, water pump and 2 set of tires. Sorry you guys had so many issues. Love it!!!

Faults:

Front brakes every 25,000 miles. Rear brakes 110,000. According to dealer, NOT a brake balance issue.

Intake manifold gasket leaks antifreeze (2), Ball Joints 85,000, A/C compressor 50,000 & 85,000.

General Comments:

This vehicle was purchased new in '96. Maintenance was done "by the book" by a 30 year auto/truck tech, and driven by a little old lady (don't tell my wife I said that). This SUV never sees off road or hardly any snow.

The same problems that you have addressed are the issues that I have seen. It is NOT poor maintenance, it is poor engineering. The manufacturer does not address the problems. That is why they are getting their butts beat by imports, while getting miserable marks by the consumer grading companies. GM continues to whine about union contracts when they should be addressing quality, starting at the management and engineering level.

Next vehicle- I've succumbed, it may very likely be an import. After 40 years of "staying American" it is time to give the others a shot... sorry to say.

Faults:

Since I've owned my money pit:

2 fuel pumps.

Ball joints uppers and lowers (always do them all).

Idler.

Rear end (after new axles, seals in the original).

Catalytic converter.

Oil cooler lines.

Vac switch for the heat/vent controls.

The 4wd actuator.

The plastic linkage for the rear window release solenoid.

I will say, as I knock on wood, that the engine has been OK!! And I do have 235,000 miles.

The ball joints were the originals, and I replaced them at 193,000.

I'm a heavy truck / equipment mechanic, and I hate working on cars, but when I'm done I know it's been done right!!!

Someone posted "educate yourself on your maintenance program". That's the best advice I've seen in this forum.

Faults:

The first three years of ownership (96-98) were great. I get the oil changed every 3,000 miles, have the transmission fluid serviced regularly and mainly run it on the highway. I don't off-road it and purchased it for transport during the Minnesota winters.

Here is the running list of repairs.

1999 - The first time I had the lower ball joints replaced, along with all four tires (40K miles).

2000 - Power steering pump and serpentine belt replaced (54K miles). Brake discs and cylinders replaced (61K miles).

2002 - Brake pads, shoes, drums serviced, four tires replaced, upper and lower ball joints (second time) replaced (80K miles).

2003 - Air conditioning compressor replaced along with radiator (another Dexcool fiasco) (89K miles).

2004 - Shock absorbers, propeller shaft replaced (108K miles).

2005 - Catalytic converter replaced, brake pads, discs replaced (111K miles).

2006 - Sepentine belt idler pulley and alternator drive belt replaced (119K miles).

2007 - Upper and lower ball joints replaced (third time), driver's side door spring, hinge and bushings replaced (126K miles).

General Comments:

Maybe this is just normal, but I believe the ball joint replacement has been excessive, particularly since I'm a careful driver.

I'm still holding on to this baby for the four-wheel drive capacity on our often snowy roads.

I hope I can get just one more year out of it!

Faults:

When first bought, engine was chewing accessory drive belts. Cause of problem was a loose vibration damper/harmonic balancer that had not been properly reinstalled by a mechanic replacing the crankshaft position sensor in early 2004.

Rather annoying rattle from rear interior plastic trim on both sides where previous owner had installed aftermarket speakers and not properly remounted the trim.

General Comments:

Very good looking, especially for 11 years old. Outside and inside are almost flawless, except that there are a few minor dings and the power mirror control is missing the center left/right selector knob.

Vehicle has plenty of room for me, and I'm 6'4" tall. More cargo room than you could imagine in a car this size.

Everything works as expected, handles nicely, 4.3 Vortec has more than enough power to move this car smoothly along the road.

Surprisingly, this vehicle averages 22 to 27 miles per gallon, very unusual considering most Blazers average 15 to 20.