1988 Chevrolet Blazer Problems
- Complaints
- 40filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer. The part named most often is seat belts, with 12 complaints (30% of the total), followed by engine cooling (7) and electrical system (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,000 miles. Of all complaints, 7 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts12 30%
- Engine cooling7 18%
- Electrical system5 13%
- Steering4 10%
- Seats3 7.5%
- Brakes2 5.0%
- Tires2 5.0%
- Exterior lighting1 2.5%
- Fuel system1 2.5%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “When originally purchased the shoulder portion of the seatbelt would not retract, the assmbly was purchased new from the mentioned dealer and replaced. On 6/29/99 the same problem occured, the shoulder portion of the belt would not retract. I purchased another assembly from the same dealer who said it was not covered by warranty and charged me 130.94 + 7% tax. In august of 1999 that new assembly again failed in the same way. This time it was covered under warranty. I wrote to GM at the time of the original failure, they responded, no coverage, no reimbursement. …”
NHTSA complaint #710869, filed 1999-09Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #850589, filed 1999-10Electrical system: “The contact owns a 1988 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact found his vehicle engulfed in flames in the parking lot of a local shopping center. He had driven the vehicle just minutes before the fire and did not notice anything unusual. The fire and police departments arrived shortly after the fire began and determined that it was caused by an electrical component or wiring. They were able to extinguish the fire, but the vehicle was destroyed. A report was filed. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were less than 85,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10262148, filed 2009-03, 85,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 85,000 and 85,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V119000Aug 2, 1993Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › RotorCovers: Chevrolet Blazer 1988–1992, Suburban 1988–1992, GMC Safari 1988–1992 +6 more
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.
Recall details for the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE89024Steering damper separationClosed · Dec 14, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Blazer
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 35 | 22,000 | 1 | 5 | 25 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 52 | 29,000 | 1 | 5 | 25 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 44 | 20,000 | 2 | 5 | 25 | 50 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 54 | 66,250 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 17 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 141 | 36,232 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 53 · Typical | Rising |
| 2020 | 224 | 49,500 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 70 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 189 | 26,700 | 2 | 5 | 24 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2008 | 5 | 80,364 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 9 | 62,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 19 | 75,200 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 15 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 50 | 38,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 77 | 44,500 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 246 | 59,000 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 326 | 62,102 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 589 | 65,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 436 | 76,000 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 716 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 768 | 85,000 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 1,153 | 83,900 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1995 | 1,224 | 97,610 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 620 | 118,000 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 511 | 120,000 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 278 | 84,000 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1991 | 222 | 110,000 | 4 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1990 | 32 | — | 1 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 38 | — | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 40 | 85,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 30 | 106,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 19 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 29 | — | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 9 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Blazer model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer have?
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 12 complaints (30% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 7.
Has the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Chevrolet Blazer reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,000 miles and the middle half falls between 85,000 and 85,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.