VehicleVerdict

1990 Chevrolet Blazer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1990 Chevrolet Blazer sits mid-pack among Blazer years: 42 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 40, with 4 recalls and 6 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (10), engine (5), and seat belts (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

42

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

6

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Blazer years?

See all Blazer years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Chevrolet Blazer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1024%
Seat Belts512%
Engine512%
Electrical System410%
Transmission37%
Suspension37%
Seats37%
Visibility & Wipers25%
Other25%
Speed Control25%
Tires & Wheels25%
Body & Structure12%

Does the 1990 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.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROX. 15 MPH WHEN HE PRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR VEHICLE IN FRONT MAKING A TURN, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM, THEN HE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND DURING THE SAME CRASH. THERE WAS DRIZZLES OF RAIN AT TIME OF INCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 15, 1997 · crash

SEATBELT BUCKLE JAMMED INTO SEAT HANDLE RECESS AND CANNOT EXTRACATE; BELIEVE THIS IS DESIGN DEFECT, BUCKLE SHOULD BE LARGER TO AVOID FITTING INTO SEAT LOCK RECESS. CANNOT USE SAFETY BELT, CANNOT RAISE/LOWER SEAT.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

CONSUMER STATES THAT GMC INSTALLED A MOTOR IN TRUCK. WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO START VEHICLE, TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES, INJURYING SEVERAL PEOPLE. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 9, 1999 · fire

WHILE DRIVING HEARD THINGS UNDER THE HOOD MAKING NOISE. PULLED OVER AND OPENED HOOD, AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDERNEATH. CALLED THE POLICE, BUT THE FIRE WAS THEN PUT OUT. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 3, 1998 · fire

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, NOTICED SEATS MOVE DUE TO LOOSENESS. THE BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED. CHECKED UNDERNEATH & NOTICED MOUNTING PLATE METAL FOR SEAT WAS RUSTY & HAD CORRODED AWAY. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · May 25, 1997

1990 Chevrolet Blazer — common questions

Is the 1990 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

It is close to typical for the Blazer: 42 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 6 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1990 Blazer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), engine (5 complaints), seat belts (5 complaints).

Does the 1990 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Chevrolet Blazer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Chevrolet Blazer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations 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.