RoadVitals

1986 Chevrolet Blazer

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Feb 4, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Blazer, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine523.8%
  • Brakes314.3%
  • Tires & wheels314.3%
  • Seat belts29.5%
  • Electrical29.5%
  • Steering29.5%
  • Visibility14.8%
  • Driver assistance14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA89003ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR AXLE SHAFT

Opened Nov 7, 1988
Closed Aug 24, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
PE88047ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR AXLE FAILURE

Opened Apr 19, 1988
Closed Nov 7, 1988

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 19
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 4, 2003

THE CORD SEPARATED HALF WAY AROUND THE TIRE. THE TIRE HAS 9/32 TREAD. SCC PH

NHTSA ID
10004797
Incident
Nov 21, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jul 30, 2002

WHILE PULLING INTO THE ENTRANCE LANE OF A TOLL BOOTH AT 25 MPH, UNIT 1 APPLIED THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED. UNIT 1 THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING UNIT 2 WHICH WAS STOPPED AT THE TOLL BOOTH. UNIT 1 WENT ONTO THE CURB AND CONCRETE BARRIER. IT THEN HIT UNIT 2 IN THE LEFT REAR AND THEN HIT THE TOLL BOOTH, WHERE IT CAME TO FINAL REST. THE OFFICER AT THE SCENE FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. THE FRONT CHAMBER WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY AND THE REAR CHAMBER HAD BARELY ENOUGH FLUID TO COVER THE BOTTOM. NO BROKEN HOSES, LINES COULD BE SEEN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *TT

NHTSA ID
566991
Incident
May 4, 2002
EngineTransmission
Filed Nov 20, 2000
Fire reported2 injuries reported

BAD MANUFACTURER PAINT, 7004R TRANSMISSION UNSAFE, ENGINE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
736585
Incident
May 29, 1990
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 15, 2000

TIRE LOST ALL TREAD TEARING UP THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AT THE SAME TIME. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/70/R15 )

NHTSA ID
727938
Incident
Jun 9, 2000
Engine
Filed Jan 30, 2000

WATER IN ENGINE OIL, THE CAUSE I HAVE HEARD IS A FAILED HEAD GASKET. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF CHEVROLET HAS HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATS, CRACKING THE HEAD GASKET. *AK

NHTSA ID
718073
Incident
Jan 30, 2000
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 1999

SOMETHING BROKE IN THE STEERING WHILE SON WAS DRIVING. AS A RESULT, CAR WAS TOTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
843101
Incident
Jun 21, 1999
Engine
Filed Jan 20, 1999
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).

NHTSA ID
543441
Incident
Dec 24, 1998
Steering
Filed Dec 8, 1998

DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 20MPH UP THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE. HAD NO CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID
831978
Incident
Nov 17, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

GM161514

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

END GATE LATCH RATTLE (INSTALL REVISED STRIKER). *TW

GM561204

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

WATER LEAK AT THE A/C RECIRCULATION DOOR (INSTALL NEW HOOD HINGE SEAL). *TW

9310A343

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

FRONT DOOR SIDE GLASS BINDING/TRACK DISENGAGEMENT. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Blazer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100—
2025261050.9
2024421055.9
2023412059.4
2022451056.6
20211251051.3
20202113059.0
20191832051.4
2009000—
2008500—
2007900—
2006190040.5
2005150037.8
2004501039.7
2003771044.3
20022462152.1
20013263259.2
20005894359.3
19994360144.1
19987163155.9
19977687261.7
19961,15311767.5
19951,22411867.5
19946207669.7
19935117570.0
19922786571.0
19912227870.4
1990324670.2
1989384570.5
1988404161.2
1987303362.5
1986Viewing192263.0
1985292264.4
1984933—
1983443—
1982130—
1981130—
1980110—
1979110—
1978110—
1977210—
1976110—
1975010—
1974020—
1973110—
1972010—
1969010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.