Dip stick is extremely rusty. Consumer feels rust that build up could be a result of dirt falling into the oil pan. Dealer has been contacted. Please give any further details.
1996 Chevrolet Blazer engine complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 150, newest first, as owners wrote them.
After recently buying this vehicle we noticed the air coming from the vents was not exactly warm. Took it to be repaired and was told it was probably a thermostat problem since the vehicle was so "new". Unfortunately, it ended up being the heater core(which from what I am hearing is extremely rare for a vehicle of this age).
Contaminated coolant four times in last two years, believe that combination of bad product and location of radiator lines causes this very expensive repairs. Seem to be limited to 1996-1997 blazers, jimmys, sonomas, s10s etc. It is a joke about their 100,000 mile coolant, should be a class action suit because there are hundreds of owners with this problem.
On my way home from work on sept. 21, 2001, I had to sit on I-435-e- freeway for an hour because of a car accident. I was moving no more than 5 to 10 miles an hour. When I got to I-71-n and I took I-71 to the linwood exit going 55 to 60 miles an hour and then 45 to 50 miles an hour and then 55 to 60 and then 45 to 50. I exited linwood to the east, over to indiana (linwood is the 32nd hundrend blook). I went south on indiana to 3318 indiana. I parked my car and went in the house. I was in the house about 2 to 3 minutes before my neighbors came to my door and said my car was on fire. They were using their water holes to put out the fire. My better-half (trinidad medellin) came out side and open the hood of the blazer. By the time the fire department came, the fire was out. Superior chevrolet had informed trinidad medellin that severe oil leak was present from oil filter adapter housing and both oil cooler lines and this leak constitutes a safety and reliability issue. Trinidad did not see any leaks. If this data was known to the federal safety agency under recalls, why weren't the customers informed, per odi id: 978897?
Vehicle was not blowing heated air. After initial analysis of closest dealer (fox chevrolet - laurel md.), it was diagnosed that engine coolant had jelled. I instructed them not to repair due to excessive estimate to fix (and paid them their evaluation fee under protest), and arranged to take vehicle to dealer where the vehicle was purchased. They diagnosed the heater core needed to be replaced. Problems persisted over the next months and the vehicle was returned 3 additional times. Rust and/or jell in the system due to the dex-cool coolant was continually discussed as the root cause and the system had to be "blown out" several times yet the dealer nor the manufacturer would take any responsibility for the coolant problem. I pointed our that the system is labeled to not require any service/maintenance until 100,000 miles but they continued to not accept any responsibility. I requested copies of the manufacturers service bulletin on this problem to understand more of the specifics of the issue and to confirm that it was a known problem. Recently (july 2001) I am continuing to have problems with gauges indicating a potential overheat condition which I suspect is a continuation of the blockage in the coolant system since I had the thermostat diagnosed as working.
The belt tensioner on my '96 blazer started to fall apart. I caught it because the belt started squeeling loudly and I was able to reach the dealer before it completely fell off. If it had fallen off, the alternator, water pump, fan and power brakes would have failed immediately. I am writing because I personally know 3 other people who have had this same problem. My friend had this problem on a '96 chevrolet silverado. It was repaired under warranty at the time. My father has a '98 blazer and he just had the same problem. It is being fixed under warranty. My father's co-worker has a '98 blazer. He had to have the belt tensioner and serpentine belt replaced 3 times already. The first 2 times it was replaced under warranty. The third time the warranty was up but the dealer fixed it because of the on-going problem. It seems that the belt tensioner design could be defective. As I said at the beginning, this should be considered a safety problem. When the tensioner brakes, you instantly lose power to all engine accesories being turned by the serpintine belt.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Had to have transmission repaired twice within a year of owning 96 blazer. First repair was done by denooyer chevrolet, just about a year later the transmission went again, with no help from chevrolet I had transmission repaired at buff o matic in glenmont, ny (with no problems thereafter). Then had to have practically entire cooling system cleaned and repaired by depaula chevrolet due to dex-cool anti-freeze crystallizing within engine, again with no help from chevrolet I had to dish out money for repair. Gm and chevrolet should be resposible for both my repairs. I am currently working with the bbb, attorney general and a personal attorney to hopefully recoupe damages.
Coolant formed a clay in the radiator at 86,000 miles. According to chevrolet, the engine coolant does not require maintenance for 5 years or 100,000 miles if a silicate free orange coolant (meeting gm spec 6277m) is used. There is a notice on the engine that states this information. We have monitored the coolant level and have followed these instructions. In july, the engine overheated. We had the radiator flushed and were informed that the coolant had solidified in the radiator. The service technician informed us that the coolant had formed a clay in the radiator. Shortly afterwards, the engine developed a sloshing/water noise. We had the radiator flushed again and were informed that we needed to have the radiator removed and manually cleaned. We took the vehicle to a trent, a gmc dealer (as the local chevrolet dealer would not repair the vehicle for 3 weeks) and were informed that the coolant system had been stopped up and clogged the heater core. According trent, the intake was clogged and leaking, which caused the entire radiator system to stop up. The radiator was plugged so badly that the flues could not be unstopped when the radiator was manually cleaned. The intake manifold gasket set, radiator, upper and lower radiator hoses, and thermostat had to be replaced. The heater core was flushed to remove the sludge. According to trent, all problems were caused by faulty coolant. the vehicle was within 5 years and 100,000 miles, and we followed chevrolets service instructions for maintenance.
My blazer was over heating the coolent was flushed, it over heated again the thermostat was replaced, it over heated again the cooling system was flushed and a new thermostat was put in, again it over heated and this time blew the engine.
Medford engine gasket blewout, and coolant ran from undernea vehicle.also, there was a noise coming from front of the vehicle due to bearings being defective. Dealership was aware of problems.
Dexcool in radiator cooling system had turned to a rusty sludge. Had coolant flush done at 60,000 miles by the dealer. Had dealer reinspect vehicle as I was going on a long road. I have copy of 27 point inspection stating my vehicle was in good condition with no noted problems. 261 miles later I was stranded in the desert with a plugged and blown radiator and heater core. The radiator cap was completely rusted. The fluid in the overflow tank was a rusty brown thick mess. The hoses going into the radiator had to be replaced due to a coating of rust on the inside. I had a new radiator put on, new hoses, and the radiator and engine block reflushed, new coolant added and overflow tank washed. 1,500 miles later (to the current mileage I am at now) the dexcool fluid is already discoloring and particles of rust are starting to reappear. Which tells me the corrosion is deep inside the system. Gm will not acknowledge a problem of rusting and corrosion, dealer will take no responsibility for their work or inspections. Gm never warned the consumers that this had to be carefully watched or major engine damage would occur. Gm has a training video that was sent to dealers that specifically deals with the dexcool corrosion problem. It is called gm training video understanding radiator cap and cooling system contamination. They are claiming the radiator caps may have a problem properly sealing the radiator thus causing high evaporation and thus contaminating the cooling system. If they are aware of this why was the consumer not informed? How can gm not take responsibility for the damage that is being done to a large amount on their vehicles. They also claim that the radiator design on certain types of their vehicles make them more prone to the corrosion contamination, such as the blazer, jimmy, st pickups, camaros. That is why not all gm products that were delivered originally with dexcool has had a problem.
Radiator has excessive rust. Dealer is aware of problem, and advised consumer to change dex coolant on a regular basis. Please provide furthur details.
Radiator/cooling system plugged up, causing engine light to come on (2 times).
I am writing to complain about the fact that my 1996 chevrolet blazer required major repairs to its radiator that has a sticker on it stating that there should be no maintenance for 100,000 miles. The dealer informed me that they recommend I replace the radiator, for additional money. This was noted on the receipt. I declined, due to the fact that the manufacturer notes that the radiator should be good for 100,00 miles. I then noticed a service bulletin number referenced on the receipt. I then researched this item to determine why this item was referenced. In my research I have found that chevrolet was aware of a problem with the coolant in the blazer radiator and issued a service bulletin to its dealers to inform them of what to do to correct the problem and also to recommend replacement. I am appalled that the manufacturer would be aware of such a major problem with the engine of one of its automobiles and not inform the consumer. And if they felt consumer information was not warranted, they could at least pay for repairs to those automobile that have problems with the radiator they discovered themselves, does not function correctly. I paid $ 661.00 approx. To repair my radiator and was pressured, and reminded on my receipt that I did not purchase a new one as recommended. I am infuriated that chevrolet did not repair my car free of charge. I am writing to complain and hopefully recoup some of the money I paid for the repairs. Please let me know what the process is and if I have any recourse. I am writing to all of the consumer groups.
Radiator and engine completely flushed, cap and thermostat replaced due to "mud" in system.dealer told me "mud" was actually metal and sand left in engine block during the production/milling process. 1 month after flush the system is clogged again with this mud. Dealer saying another flush is needed along with possible water pump and heater core replacement. Dealer and other local car maintenance companies said they have seen this many times in these blazers. This is obviously a problem gm should be held accountable for.
I think that the proper way to address this situtation is to not buy another chevrolet. No safety defect mentioned in summary.
Radiator was defective, and temperature gauge was on red. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.
Heating and cooling system can create a flood in engine. Contacted dealer, and dealer had to flush radiator with acid flush type liquid. Dealer was not willing to do anything.
Steering became hard to steer even though power steering. I was told by dealer p/s pump was leaking and lack of fluid made steering difficult. I feel with the low milage of 53,000 this should not be a problem and could have resulted in more severe problems if pump had completely leaked empty causing loss of power steering.
Dexacool engine coolant turned to "mud" causing the engine to over heat and resulting in total replacement of radiator and associated systems. Upon further investigation gm is having problems with the dexacool "service bulletin" issued. Gm has charged a $500 deductable. It still should be covered under the 5yr/100,000 warrenty. Gm customer service has provided no help. Please advise what my next step should be. Thanks
Geeral motors reccommended coolant for chevrolet blazer's clogged the radiator and thermostat resulting in the replacement of almost the entire cooling system. This occured well before the manufacturer's suggested simple coolant replacement.100,000 mile c
No summery listed for above vehicle.
Right front suspension collapsed causing the wheel and tire to explode. Nlm
No major safety problems. However, signficant mechanical problems with very moderate mileage. Mechanical problems include steering linkage, water pump, starter, head gasket.
On 8/18/1999 I took my 1996 chevy blazer to superior chevrolet (merriam, ks [xxx]) because the engine cooling light kept coming on. As soon as I told the service representative about the problem he replied that this was a very common problem with 1996 blazers due to a defective coolant (dex-cool) that was used in the vehicle. They said that the fix was to "flush" the cooling system in accordance to gm service bulletin no. 99-06-02-012 (of which I have a copy). At this time they charged me $543.96 for the "flush". As I investigated the incident more I found from several of the service personel at this dealership, as well as from the service manager ([xxx] [xxx]) that the problem with the dex-cool coolant was very common with 1996 &1997 blazers. I then questioned why the consumer should pay for an inferior coolant that was used in these vehicles. As I pursued my complaint more, the service manager ended up contacting the area rep for chevy, who in turn ended up reimbursing me approx. $312. Of my $543. At the time I figured that I better take what I could get, and that the problem was resolved.... Well here I am 18 months later and 19,200 miles later and the coolant light came on again. Once again I took the vehicle to superior chevrolet, and once again there is a problem with the cooling system due to the dex-cool coolant according to the service reps and service manager. This time though the service manager says that the entire cooling system (radiator, heater core, and water pump) all need replacement because the dex-cool has "gelled" up throughout the system. Mr. [xxx] has told me that to repair this would cost $2100., but because we had the system flushed just 18 mo. Ago, and because the problem with this dex-cool coolant is so common that he would only charge me $1300. I voiced my concern of why the consumer should pay for a problem that is commonly known at chevrolet. Please contact me at the listed phone numbers. Thanks. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally id
Radiator coolant rusted.
Failed dex-cool. Called dex-cool and they said the problem was gmc. Called gmc and they said to contact dealer. Dealer said to drain dex-cool and flush and fill with green anti freeze immediately. Dex cool turns to gell per dealer. They notify all customers to drain dex-cool.
Temp gauge climbed into red.per dealer coolent was contaminated. Blazer has never had anyone but dealer perform maintence etc...dealer could not find any reason for coolent to become contaminated. I understand there was infact a bullentine release for this & customers not notified because it was not causing any danger to passengers. However, it was costly to repair.
Failed oil cooler lines. Dealer reports many owners of blazers and s-10 pickups have had both oil cooler lines replaced.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Chevrolet Blazer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history