1993 Chevrolet Blazer Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report anti-lock brake trouble: a pedal that sinks to the floor with little or no braking, and ABS that engages when it should not and lengthens stopping distance, frequently on wet or bumpy pavement. Complaints also describe stalling linked to a sticking EGR valve or a failing in-tank fuel pump, with melted wiring found inside the tank. Reports are spread across a very wide mileage range, so condition and repair history matter more than age alone.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS pedal sinks to the floor, braking lost

   • 356 complaints (70%)
   • median 106,642 mi at 11.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 65 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners describe pressing the brake pedal and having it drop to the floor with little or no braking, often while stopping from low speed or on wet, snowy or bumpy pavement. Some say the pedal comes back after the vehicle sits for a while, and others report that pumping does not restore it. Dealers frequently could not reproduce the problem, or replaced master cylinders, wheel sensors and rear brakes without a lasting fix; several owners cite recall 99V193000 and say their vehicle was not covered by it. Reported from vehicles under 10,000 miles to ones past 170,000, on wet or rough surfaces as well as dry roads.

   Recall 99V193000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS recall work described in 99V193000 was performed on this vehicle, and have the ABS and hydraulic system inspected. A test stop on wet or broken pavement will show whether the pedal stays firm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs brake failure - after going over a bump or railroad track when coming to a stop there is a grinding noise on the driver's side and when brakes are applied pedal will go to the floor. Pumping of the pedal will not get the pedal height back. The brake pedal will continue to go to the floor for as many times as I apply the brakes. After vehicle is parked for half a day or longer, the pedal will return to a high pedal and everything seems okay. This condition has happened twice so far.”

   NHTSA complaint #10082920, filed 2004-07, 128,785 miles

   “Ea94038, ABS braking system failure; while driving 35 MPH and making a normal stop, driver applied the brakes, the system kicked in, the pedal dropped down, but the truck continued to travel at same speed and did not slow down. This happened on damp road surface. Driver was able to avoid a crash by going up a hillside. The dealer/manufacturer not aware of problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #830599, filed 1998-11
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS cuts in early, longer stopping distance

   • 78 complaints (15%)
   • median 46,250 mi at 7.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Complaints describe the anti-lock system activating during ordinary stops, at low speeds, over bumps, or on wet, snowy or gravel surfaces, with the vehicle travelling further than expected before it slows. A few owners report a front brake grabbing and pulling the vehicle to one side. Dealers commonly told owners no fault could be found in the system. Most often described during stops on wet, snowy or loose surfaces, including at low speeds and over bumps.

   Recall 99V193000

   What to check: Drive the vehicle at low speed on a wet or gravel surface and see whether the ABS pulses early or the pedal feels inconsistent. Ask whether the wheel speed sensors have been replaced and whether any ABS-related recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I've owned this vehicle since new and complained several times to the dealer that the stopping distance increases at slow speeds when the anti-lock brakes take effect. I read in the chicago tribune today that there is a recall for this problem for 1999 to 2003 GM SUV's. My question is, was there ever a recall for this problem for 1993 Chevrolet k5 blazers and if not is there a chance of getting this problem fixed by GM at their expense considering the age of the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10134787, filed 2005-08, 8,000 miles

   “While driving at 35 MPH applied brakes and the left front brakes grabbed, causing the vehicle to spin around and rear end another vehicle. Consumer has contrac dealer 6 times, and the dealer couldn't resolve the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #849477, filed 1999-09
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Sticking EGR valve and stalling, hard pedal

   • 21 complaints (4%)
   • median 114,500 mi at 9.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners report the engine stalling or losing power when slowing down or lifting off the accelerator, sometimes at highway speed, which also takes away power-assisted steering and brakes. Several say the EGR valve was replaced or cleaned more than once and the stalling returned. A few describe the engine quitting at idle or failing to restart. Typically reported on vehicles well past 100,000 miles, and often recurring after a repair.

   What to check: Ask whether the EGR valve has been replaced or cleaned and how recently, and whether the stalling has come back since. Note any rough idle or drop in power when you lift off the throttle during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle was not starting right away and would die out when let off gas. Almost rear-ended a car at a toll booth on one occasion,had to put into neutral to use brakes then drive with two feet the rest of the 200 mile trip home. Mechanic replaced EGR valve for the second time! January had to clean out EGR again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10005817, filed 2003-02, 115,000 miles

   “This car is a death trap. Car loses all power; steering, braking then stalls. Problem w/ EGR valve since 1997, replaced linear EGR, 4 mths ago, continues to stall when slowing, letting up on gas. Dealer cleaned manifold, happened again 2 weeks later, brought back to dealer, said can't pinpoint problem guess something with EGR valve.”

   NHTSA complaint #736343, filed 2000-11
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure, melted wiring in tank

   • 15 complaints (3%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 12.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2011

   Complaints describe the engine quitting while driving, sometimes at highway speed, traced to the in-tank fuel pump. Owners who removed the pump report the wiring and connector inside the tank melted or fused together, with the fuse blowing as soon as the ignition was switched on. Repairs typically involved a new pump and, in some cases, a new tank or sending unit. Reported from about 35,000 miles to over 200,000, usually as a sudden stall or no-start.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump, filter and tank sending unit have been replaced and at what mileage. If service records are available, ask whether the pump connector and wiring were inspected when the pump was out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 93 s10 Blazer and the truck shut down while my daughter was driving. The ecmb fuse was blown and would blow out when the ignition switch would be turned on. I finally tracked the problem down to the fuel pump. When I removed the gas tank and pulled out the fuel pump, the wire inside the tank were welded together and the plug on the end of the fuel pump was melted (fused) together. This really concerns me that these internal components can get hot enough to melt they could easily cause the tank to explode. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10095881, filed 2004-10, 200,000 miles

   “Three times during june of 2002 vehicle died while driving 65mph on interstate and was extremely difficult to handle,all power gone , had to put in neutral to use brakes,very scary w/ 5 yr. Old son w/me. Mechanic installed new fuel pump and relay.”

   NHTSA complaint #10005815, filed 2003-02, 114,000 miles

Buying note. Have the ABS and brake hydraulics inspected and confirm whether any open brake recall applies to this vehicle's VIN before buying. Ask about EGR valve and fuel pump history as well; on a vehicle of this age, service records say more about what to expect than the odometer alone.

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.