VehicleVerdict

1988 Chevrolet Blazer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1988 Chevrolet Blazer sits mid-pack among Blazer years: 45 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 41, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (27% of the total).

45

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Blazer years?

See all Blazer years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Chevrolet Blazer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1227%
Engine716%
Electrical System511%
Steering49%
Brakes37%
Seats37%
Tires & Wheels24%
Transmission24%
Speed Control12%
Fuel System12%
Body & Structure12%
Suspension12%
Other12%
Lighting12%
Latches & Locks12%

Does the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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).

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

93V119000BrakesAugust 2, 1993 · 341,364 units

Defect

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

REAR SEAT BELT SHEARED OFF AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP AT 2MPH. THE SEAT BELT WAS RESTRAINING A 8-MONTH OLD INFANT AT TIME OF FAILURE. INFANT AND CHILD SEAT WERE CAUGHT BY DRIVER. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPORTED THAT THE SEATBELT IS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION AND COULD BE REPLACED ONLY WITH A SALVAGED PART.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 1, 1999

WHEN PARKED WIRES IGNITED NEAR FIRE WALL. TT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE, LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND NOTICED ENGINE ON FIRE BACK BY THE FIREWALL, CONSUMER PUT OUT FIRE WITH WATER HOSE AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER. *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 18, 1995 · fire

WHEN PARKED WIRES IGNITED NEAR FIRE WALL. TT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE, LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND NOTICED ENGINE ON FIRE BACK BY THE FIREWALL, CONSUMER PUT OUT FIRE WITH WATER HOSE AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER. *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 18, 1995 · fire

DRIVING ON ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH ALL OF SUDDEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOT UP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULDN'T MOVE. PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED T A MECHANIC SHOP. REPLACED POWER STEERING BRACKET.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 12, 1999

1988 Chevrolet Blazer — common questions

Is the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

It is close to typical for the Blazer: 45 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1988 Blazer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (12 complaints), engine (7 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints).

Does the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Blazer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Blazer years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 1994, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2020, 1992, 2002, 2019, 1991, 2021, 2003, 2004, 2022. The cleanest record among Blazer years belongs to 1975.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.