Faults:

I have replaced the fuel pump at 110,000 miles and the water pump at 140,000 miles. I replaced the alternator at 150,000 miles. Other replacement items have been normal such as spark plugs, tires, brake pads, etc.

General Comments:

My '96 Blazer is a solid well-built family vehicle that gets me through tough Wisconsin winters in both style and comfort. The 4 wheel drive works smooth and is effective.

With rear seats down, it can carry considerable cargo. I like the split back door and window. The front seats are a bit small and could be more plush and comfortable. The interior layout and controls are well thought out and driver/passenger friendly.

The redesigned 95/96 Blazer has much more body rustproofing than the 94. I have driven on many salty roads and yet have no through rust. My daughter's '94 Blazer is a rusty mess with less miles on it and being in a warmer salt-free climate.

As a mechanic, I find the Blazer to be very serviceable and easy to work on. The engine layout is well engineered. Chevy engineers did their homework well on the '96 Blazer. I'm anxious to dive the new Trailblazer hearing that this vehicle is even more well designed. The American auto makers are finally doing some of the right things to make a quality vehicle.

My wife drives our Blazer as her primary vehicle and feels safe within its confines. We'll probably replace this Blazer with another Blazer or perhaps a Trailblazer.

Faults:

First, when I bought it, the engine hesitated in-between 3,000 and 4,000 RPM's. The left front inner brake pad wore down completely while the outer pad was fine, which caused the caliper to overextend, causing me to have to replace the caliper. The radiator cracked, and the water pump went out. During the same time, the alternator went out. Currently, there is a new alternator on it, and I have no power to anything in the truck at all.

General Comments:

This total disappointment of a vehicle makes me want to rethink my fandom of GM and Chevrolet. 90 percent of the vehicles I have owned have been Chevrolet, and have had very few problems out of them. I never had this many problems out of the 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier that I had with almost 200,000 miles on it. I would advise anyone considering purchasing an SUV to turn tail and run away from the Chevy Blazer. It is nothing, but a hassle, and from what I have read on this website, I am not the only one who feels this way. Sorry Chevrolet, but you struck out with this lemon.

Faults:

So far the only problems were that the exhaust pipe came of its factory clamp I had to modify it. Other than that no major problems at all.

General Comments:

This 1996 Chevy blazer LS is a strong and reliable truck. I drive to maine and I drive to Georgia and it hasn't left me stranded so I trust it very much so.

Faults:

My first trip out in my new Blazer, on my way out it overheats. New thermostat and water pump. estimated cost $200. Also at this time the mechanic tells me in needs radiator work as well, but never mentioned what kind of radiator work. (He actually wrote it real small on the bottom of my receipt.)

Broken lower ball joint means new lower control arms. $600.

Was slipping out of third and fourth means new transmission. Estimated Cost $2750.

My wipers act up all the time, its really strange.

If you step on the brakes real hard it makes a weird sound like a grinding and doesn't do much stopping. Almost got us hurt once before.

Also the wipers don't dispense washer fluid.

General Comments:

This is a really really comfortable SUV (has a nice stock stereo too), and when you first take that test-drive you can really picture yourself in it. Well don't be fooled it sucks more money from my wallet than my girlfriend.

My dealer was a complete schister, the only (and I mean ONLY) reason I bought the car is because he "threw in" a 100,000 mile warranty on top of the 100,000 it already had. Well the warranty isn't worth a dime, when I finally needed it, my transmission isn't covered. Also I was charged $1400 for the warranty they "threw in".