Faults:

I just bought this 96 Blazer two weeks ago. I only drive in town, so only a few miles are on it.

We replaced the A/C compressor, radiator, gave it a tune up, put new tires on it, and now, we are putting a new motor on it. My new engine is going to cost me four thousand, five hundred dollars.

Naturally, had I realized that it was a big money pit, I would have just spent four thousand on making my Buick Century nicer.

General Comments:

I will never buy another car like this again... even though it has a nice ride, smooth and all.

Faults:

Older car blues, bought it used from someone who took very good care of it; though the things that have gone wrong have been often repeated here.

EGR valve went bad; water pump; recently had trouble starting because of the spider valve on the fuel injection, now it's in getting that fixed.

Windows stick some times.

Rear wiper works when it wants too.

My overall opinion is that things go bad, the engineers know that it's going to happen, might as well make them easy to fix: something the Japanese live by, the Germans positively haven't a clue about, and Americans have plumb forgotten.

General Comments:

I personally think the brakes are undersized and underpowered for such a large vehicle and the anti-lock is almost disconcerting, though this is an older car and these systems have gotten better over the years. Because of this, it's important to realize and fully understand this vehicle HAS to be driven like a big, clunky, TRUCK and not a car...

Comfy, spacious, not too terrible on gas, good in the snow on 4wd, a skating rink in 2wd.

Annoyed that the door hinges are welded rather than screwed on, the drivers door hinges are clean worn out from being opened and closed a million times. Now the door leaks because it's out of alignment and it'll be a pain to fix it.

Faults:

I'v read all that people have said want wrong with there Blazers and I must say i'v had all that and then some. It was my 1st car I bought used. And I keep it up always have, but things want wrong. I got when it had 52,000 miles on it. By the time I 60,000 the Trans had rust in the lines had that flushed. Then the starter want out at 65,000 a yr latter it want out again and then a yr after that it did it for the 3rd time. Water pump, ball joints like crazy want out upper and lower both sides. The best thing was the Fuel pump module want out. For the last 7yrs i'v had a oil leak I just let it Leak. 2yrs ago my rear winshield wiper stop working. So like I said I have had it all. Oh AND BEST OF ALL A NEW ENGINE. And as for that AIR BAG light it can stay on.

General Comments:

There was I book about cars trucks ect.. 1994-1997 and in this book it talked real bad about the 1996 blazers and every thing that was bad (or want wrong) so I read it and it was right that blazer made bad. But the thing was I read this book in 2000 damn to late i'v got the problem now. Wish I would have seen it sooner. But there is one thing I will say I'm never letting it go. I will drive it in the ground before I EVER buy a car again. It will be my ROCK when I'm done with it.

Faults:

Radiator went at 113,000 while on a trip.

Heater core bad and by-passed 102,000.

Balljoints in need of replacing now at 140,000 will be first since owning the vehicle.

Have replaced brakes once about two years ago and presently started hearing squealers on the front.

Tensioner pulley bearings gave way last year.

General Comments:

Bought the Blazer from a used car lot.

Have driven it on several trips. It is the most comfortable vehicle I have owned to drive and take on trips.

It is the 2wd 2dr version automatic.

A sharp styled suv.

Handles well in all conditions. Did get it stuck in soft sand on beach but that was driver error.

I have nothing out of the ordinary, except for expected things and maintenance for a vehicle that was used before purchase.

I don't expect it to live as long as my 1984 Nissan pickup which had almost 360.000 on it when I gave it to my wifes grandfather. He traded it for some electrical work and it is still in service as an electricians work truck.

I see good and bad posted here about the blazer.

Different people, different tastes, different climates, different driving conditions, and different driving techniques.

Are you the agressive lane switcher, the 20 mph above the speed limit, the exact speed limit, the avid off-roader, the little old lady who can barely see over the steering wheel and 25 is almost too fast for her, stuck in bumper to bumper for hours on end, a traffic light at every corner, 30 miles to work and 30 miles back, rocky roads paved roads or just a trail through the woods, type driver?

How can any of us expect the same thing from a single vehicle model as the next owner?

I work in Auto Parts Store dealing with garages day in and day out... believe me all cars give trouble and some more than others, but mainly because of the loose nut on the steering wheel.