1996 Chevrolet Blazer LS from North America - Comments

Wheel Alignment at 8 months after buying. June 2000.

July of 2000 - caught fire while driving on the freeway. (Later found out cause was clogged catalytic converter that over-heated). Parts replaced (All on the passenger side) :

wiring harness, plugs / cables, Air conditioner, heater cover, upper control arm bushings, ball joint, shock, pcv valve, hood insulator, rear seal, distributor cap, right axle, servos, a/c pressure switch, wiring harness, antenna base, a/c relay, valve cover and gasket, body harness, oxygen sensor harness, 4wd harness, transmission switch, and front end alignment. All to the tune of $4,550.00.

Oct 2000 (when I finally got it back from all the repairs) had to have the alignment done again.

Oct 2000 new vacuum switch, transfer case selector switch (free because of recall.)

June 2001 serpentine belt replaced, belt tensioner replaced. ($102.00)

July 2001 Truck over-heated (needle buried in the red) on our way back from Missouri. Stranding us on the freeway outside of Indianapolis at 9 pm. Cause? Intake manifold leaking and bad thermostat. Never saw a leak!!!

Replaced at a dealer for $569.93.

Sept 2001 New battery ($85.00)

Oct 2001 Front wiper motor (45.00 used) put that in myself.

Nov 2001 New Starter (old battery leaked acid on starter cables and burnt up starter.)

Feb 2002 - Front pinion seal ($72.00)

Mar 2002 - replaced both oil cooler lines ($215.66)

July 2002 rear brakes, resurface rear drums, rear axle joints, and rear U-joints. ($221.00) Pinion seal again, another $105.00!!

Oct 2002 Another front wiper motor (guess that's what I get for putting a used one in last time), rear wiper works when it wants to, but I am not worried about that one. ($171.00).

And as a result of the ABS braking system not working up to standard... I crashed a fence trying to avoid another car. No major damage, but not cheap!$348.00 for that one!

Dec 2002 Faulty vent hose for 4X4 ($45.00)

And last, but not the last I'm sure...

Jan 2003 No heat! Replaced thermostat and gasket, back flush heater core ($89.56), a week later engine light came on! The cause... a bad O2 sensor. ($155.10)

I will never again buy a Chevy, much less a blazer! A definite Money PIT!

I also own a 1996 S-10 Blazer LS and have experienced the same problems minus the fire. I am reconsidering buying another Chevy in the future.. I loved my 87 Suzuki Samurai HT despite the bad press.