1991 Chevrolet Blazer Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe braking problems, particularly with the antilock system: the pedal going to the floor, longer stopping distances, or an ABS warning light that stays on. Many of these complaints were filed in the late 1990s on vehicles that were already several years old, and seat-belt buckle and mounting concerns also appear. A smaller number of complaints cover sudden acceleration, stalling, and engine-compartment or rear-window fires.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS pedal goes to the floor / long stopping distance

   • 124 complaints (56%)
   • median 79,000 mi at 12.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 24 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor or feeling very hard when braking, most often in wet or slick conditions, and the vehicle traveling farther than expected before stopping. Several owners say the ABS warning light came on and stayed on. Some report the dealer reset the ABS computer or replaced the ABS module or EBCM without fully resolving the problem, and a few were told the vehicle was not covered by a recall. Reported across a wide mileage range, with complaints filed from the mid-1990s onward, frequently on wet pavement or gravel.

   Recall 99V193000Recall 93V119000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS switch recall (99V193000) and any rotor corrosion recall work were completed. Have a mechanic check whether the ABS light functions and test braking on wet pavement before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is safety problem with all 91& 92 (and possibly more) s-10 blazers - I have tried many 91 & 92 anytime I saw someone with one - I took quite awhile before I realized it - when making a panic stop as in quickly pushing down the brake pedal - it fights back for about 1 second - this doesnt sound like much but - if a child runs out between parked cars - every second counts - I have tried other GM vehicles and this problem does not exsist - only on s-10 blazers - the dealer said it was normal with dual action brake boosters when I showed …”

   NHTSA complaint #724604, filed 2000-06

   “While braking and without warning, the ABS failed, which caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance. The dealer was notified. Consumer: mathew schilling”

   NHTSA complaint #10029713, filed 2003-09, 79,000 miles
2. 2
   Seat belts

   Rear seat belt buckle will not latch

   • 22 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 5.1 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Owners describe rear seat belt buckles that will not latch because the red release button sticks down or drops inside the buckle assembly, and in some cases the belt comes loose from the buckle while in use. One owner reported front and rear restraints broken, and another found rust around a shoulder-belt mounting bolt with the belt pulling out of its mount. Some owners had trouble getting recall work performed at a dealership. Complaints span the 1990s and are not tied to a specific mileage in the sample.

   Recall 96V142000

   What to check: Latch and release each rear buckle several times and pull firmly on every belt, and check the shoulder-belt mounting points for rust. Ask whether recall 96V142000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The consumer has been experiencing problems with anti-lock brakes and rear lap seat belts. The consumer when applying brakes hears a grinding noise. Also, rear selt belts failed to stay attached in the buckles. The safety defects are described in investigations numbers ea91028, ea94038, pe91052, pe94046, pe95042, ea95031. The manufacturer has yet to be contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #830461, filed 1998-11

   “Consumer is having difficulty obtaining recall work for the rear seat belt buckle release button due to problems with the dealership. Vehicle was carried in twice and not yet repaired.(96v-142)”

   NHTSA complaint #515985, filed 1997-03
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Stalling and engine-bay electrical fires

   • 19 complaints (9%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 14.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Some owners report the engine quitting without warning, including one case where the vehicle stalled while turning at any speed and the dealer could not find the cause. Others describe fires: one started in the engine compartment while driving at low speed, and another traced to the rear-window defroster coil. A separate complaint notes thick black smoke from the exhaust tied to the catalytic converter. Complaints were filed between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s and are not concentrated at a particular mileage in the sample.

   What to check: Look for scorched or melted wiring and connectors under the hood and around the rear-window defroster grid, and ask whether the vehicle has ever stalled or had electrical repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A fire started while the consumer was driving at 26 MPH. The defrosting coil in the rear window started the fire, per the fire department. The entire vehicle's rear was destroyed. No injuries reported.”

   NHTSA complaint #10103237, filed 2004-12, 110,000 miles

   “When driving and applying brakes there is a loud noise coming from the brakes.dealer states there isn't anything wrong with the brakes. Also, there is thick black smoke coming from the exhaust system when driving the vehicle due to malfunctioning of the catalytic converter. The dealer can't determine problem with the brakes, and t thinks the problem is with the computer chip.”

   NHTSA complaint #832187, filed 1998-12

Buying note. Braking behavior is the main thing to verify on this model year: confirm the ABS-related recall work was done and test the brakes on wet pavement. Also check seat belt buckles, wiring, and the fuel tank area, since these vehicles are now well past their original service life and repairs will depend on parts availability.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.