RoadVitals

1987 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.
30
Latest Aug 11, 2005
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.
3
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.
3
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 30 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet Blazer, most frequently naming the steering, seat belts and interior & seats categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 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

  • Steering617.1%
  • Seat belts514.3%
  • Interior & seats411.4%
  • Body & structure38.6%
  • Transmission38.6%
  • Fuel system38.6%
  • Other / unspecified25.7%
  • Driver assistance25.7%

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

3 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
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
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.

DP94003ClosedDefect Petition

FUEL SYSTEM FIRES

Opened Mar 28, 1994
Closed Jul 26, 1994

FUEL SYSTEM FIRES

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
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 30
Transmission
Filed Aug 11, 2005

6/5/05: EBAY AUCTION OF ITEM #4554445898 ENDED. THIS WAS A 1987 CHEVROLET K-5 BLAZER THAT WAS BEING AUCTIONED ON KERRY VOKES EBAY ACCOUNT. THE PURCHASE PRICE THAT I PAID FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS $1400. THIS VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISED ON EBAY BY KERRY VOKES AS A VEHICLE FOR SALE FROM JEFFREY'S AUTO SALES DEALERSHIP. 6/8/05: $410 FOR PLANE TICKETS FROM MINNESOTA TO MASSACHUSETTS. 6/18/05:$50 FOR A HOTEL ROOM DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE SELLING PARTY WOULD NOT RETURN MY CALLS AND COULD NOT BE REACHED. 7/5/05:EBAY DISPUTE ABOUT AN ITEM THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY NOT AS DESCRIBED. THE ODOMETER FOR ONE THING HAD TO EITHER BE SWITCHED OR THE SELLER FALSIFIED THE INFORMATION ON THE ADVERTISEMENT AND THE TITLE. THE TITLE AND THE ADVERTISEMENT ON EBAY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 120,399 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND THAT 120,399 IS THE ACTUAL MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, ASKED WHAT '87 K-5 BLAZER ODOMETERS WENT TO BEFORE TURNING BACK OVER TO ZERO; THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ODOMETERS ORIGINALLY WERE MANUFACTURED TO GO TO 999,999 AND TURN OVER TO ZERO. THE REP. THAT IS ADVERTISING THIS VEHICLE FOR JEFFREY'S AUTO SALES DEALERSHIP ON EBAY DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT THE ODOMETER WAS NOT CORRECT TO THE ACTUAL MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE OR THAT THE ODOMETER HAD BEEN SWITCHED OR ALTERED. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP ON 6/17/05 THE FIRST NUMBER IN THE ODOMETERS READING WAS A '2', IF THE ODOMETER HAD NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH OR FALSIFIED ON THE ADVERTISEMENT AND THE TITLE. THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEALERSHIP IS CLAIMING THAT THE ODOMETER TURNS OVER BACK TO ZERO AT 99,999 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS WHY THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT EVEN SHIFT ANYMORE AND IS BROKE DOWN IN PERRYSBURG, OHIO. THE DEALER HAD REFUSED REPAIRS AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR WELL OVER 20 DAYS, SINCE I CALLED AND TOLD THE EMPLOYEE OF JEFFREY'S AUTO SALES DEALERSHIP THAT ANSWERED THE PHONE ON 6/18/05. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10132528
Incident
Jun 18, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2005

1987 K5 CHEVROLET BLAZER 5.7L EFI (VIN K) POTENTIAL IGNITION SOURCE IN THE FUEL TANK - THE GROUND PATH FOR THE EELS. FUEL PUMP AND LEVEL GAUGE IS PARTIALLY COMPLETED BY USING ONE OF THE METAL PICK-UP TUBES, WHICH IS CRIMPED/FASTENED INTO A METAL COVER THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE GROUND IS THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE CHASSIS BY WAY OF A TAB AND WIRE AFFIXED TO THE COVER ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TANK. THE PROBLEM IS THAT (IN MY SITUATION) THE TUBE THAT PROVIDES THE GROUND PATH CAME LOOSE AND WAS MAKING INTERMITTENT CONTACT WITH THE CRIMP LOCATION IN THE COVER, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE TO INTERMITTENTLY CUT-OUT, AND I WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME A SPARK WAS GENERATED AT EACH MAKE AND/OR BREAK OF THE GROUND CONNECTION. BECAUSE THIS TUBE PASSES THROUGH THE TANK COVER, IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THE SPARK WAS OCCURRING ON THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE TUBE USED FOR THE GROUND PATH, HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE THINNEST, LONGEST TUBES, AND IS ALSO MOST PRONE TO BECOMING DAMAGED IN THIS FASHION. I HAD NO FIRE AS A RESULT, BUT WHEN I DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF MY FUEL PUMP PROBLEM, I WAS ALARMED AT THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE/EXPLOSION.*JB

NHTSA ID
10130692
Incident
Jul 29, 2005
Mileage
106,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jan 24, 2003

CONSUMER ISABLE TO PULL THE SEAT BELT FOR MORE ROOM DUE TO SEAT BELT SLOT BEING RUSTED. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10004577
Incident
Jan 20, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 23, 2002
1 injury reported

THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED AND WRAPPED AROUND THE FRONT AXLE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MR THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WAS INJURED. *JB

NHTSA ID
8021497
Incident
Aug 27, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 13, 2000

PE00020, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: BECAUSE BLAZER BEGAN TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY OWNER WENT TO A TIRE SHOP. FOUND OUT THAT BELTS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SEPARATING FROM TIRE. FIRESTONE, ATX, P20575R15. NOT ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE TIRE MILEAGE, DOT # AND DATE OF INCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
870379
Filed Dec 2, 1999

EVER SINCE BOUGHT IN 1993 THE TOP PART OF THE CAB, THE PAINT HAS BEEN WEARING OFF!!!

NHTSA ID
715541
Brakes
Filed Dec 2, 1999

GOES WILD, OUT OF CONTROL WHEN BRAKING. THIS HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE BOUGHT ( USED).

NHTSA ID
715539
SteeringTransmission
Filed Nov 22, 1999

THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE. THIS CAUSES THE SHIFT LEVER TO MALFUNCTION AND POP OUT OF PARK AND ROLL. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
853217

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
1987Viewing303362.5
1986192263.0
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.