1995 Chevrolet Blazer Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, especially cases where the pedal goes to the floor or the vehicle takes much longer to stop, and many complaints note that their vehicle was not covered by an ABS-related safety campaign. Fuel system issues — leaks or smells from the tank area and fuel injector failures — and repeated EGR valve failures are also commonly reported. Many of these complaints come from vehicles with well over 100,000 miles, so wear and previous repair history are relevant context.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal to the floor / long stopping distance (ABS)

   • 411 complaints (34%)
   • median 114,456 mi at 9.6 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 93 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,266 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1995–2018

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor or feeling like the brakes released when pressed hard, with the vehicle continuing at speed or taking much longer to stop; some say pumping the pedal brings braking back. Several owners report the ABS warning light coming on, and that dealers or the manufacturer told them the vehicle's VIN was outside the scope of the ABS-related safety campaign, so no repair was covered. A few report that replacing brake components did not resolve the problem. Reported from under 50,000 miles up to the 250,000-mile range, with many in the 45,000–150,000 mile span.

   Recall 99V193000Recall 94V242000

   What to check: Ask for service records on the ABS system and any work done under past campaigns, and test the brakes at low speed on a clear surface to confirm the pedal stays firm and the ABS light is off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was slowing down to come to a stop when my brakes failed. The more I pressed my brakes the faster the truck started to accelerate and the rear tires were spinning. I pressed the emergency brakes and they failed also. The only way of stopping was for me to throw it in park. While trying to brake the brake went to the floor.”

   NHTSA complaint #10120579, filed 2005-05, 140,655 miles

   “I have had extreme braking problems that are still not fixed. Under normal city driving conditions, brakes are very slow to stop regardless of how much pressure I put on them and occasionally lock up. I must release the brake pedal and pump it to catch so the car will come to a stop. 2 months ago, a woman stopped at the last minute in front of me. I hit my brakes with more than enough room to stop (2-3 car lengths). They locked up and made their normal grinding noise. I hit her car causing damage to both vehicles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10142449, filed 2005-11, 174,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Gasoline smell or leak from tank / fuel injector

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a gasoline smell in or around the vehicle, fuel collecting on top of the engine, and in some cases a visible leak or smoke near the tank. Several complaints say the central port fuel injector unit leaked and had to be replaced, sometimes more than once, and some say the engine would not start or stalled as a result. A number of owners note their vehicle was not included in a fuel tank safety campaign because of its VIN. Mostly reported between roughly 55,000 and 145,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   Recall 96V2340001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Smell for fuel around the tank and under the hood after the vehicle sits, look for staining or drips beneath the tank, and ask whether the injector assembly and tank have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “4 EGR valves (and I have got to put the 5th one on now) in the last 3 years $200.00 each. 2 cmfi units because of the fuel pressure regulator leaking the whole unit has to be replaced $500.00 each. Fuel pumps $80.00 each transmission has slipped at different times. Cooling is a problem it has never overheated but it would like to in the summer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10005131, filed 2003-02, 60,000 miles

   “Consumer complained about a fuel injection system problem. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and received many different stories of remedy. Consumer asked the dealer to check the fuel tank, and the dealer refused to check it. Then, consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told by the manufacturer that dealerships were independently owned, and there was nothing they could do.”

   NHTSA complaint #10094393, filed 2004-09, 180,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Repeated EGR valve failure and rough running

   • 95 complaints (8%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 1995–2019

   Owners report replacing the EGR valve multiple times, with the valve sticking open after highway driving and causing rough idle, hesitation, and occasional stalling; one owner mentions tapping the valve to free it temporarily. Complaints also describe check engine lights, oxygen sensor and ignition coil replacements that did not cure the symptoms, and dealers or independent mechanics reportedly calling it a common problem on these vehicles. Reported from about 21,000 miles upward, often recurring within months of each repair.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask how many times the EGR valve and related sensors have been replaced and whether the check engine light is currently on; a scan-tool check of stored codes before purchase is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have had numerous problems with the EGR valve being clogged!now we have had problems with the fuel system.we have had the fuel pump changed, and now it's back in the shop due to the spider.the ABS brakes also don't work properly.are there recalls due to the fuel system?”

   NHTSA complaint #10051165, filed 2003-12, 78,000 miles

   “Vehicle will stall and /or die when coming to complete stops, turning corners, and idling. Replaced ecg valve twice problem still there. The stalling and dying seem to get worse when gas tank is below 1/4. Started rough when running bad I am now on my 3rd starter in 8 months. The first problem was 4 days after I had owned the vehicle. Died on corner and would not start. Ecg valve changed and computer read no other problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #10147380, filed 2006-01, 126,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine oil cooler line separates and loses oil

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the oil cooler line coming apart at the crimp or coupling, with oil draining out within seconds and, in several cases, the engine seizing or needing replacement. Owners say the vehicle was towed to a mechanic or dealer, and some report the dealer declined to cover the repair. Reported from roughly 75,000 to 145,000 miles in the sampled complaints.

   What to check: Inspect the oil cooler lines and crimp fittings for weeping or fraying, and ask whether they have been replaced; check the oil level and look for oil residue under the front of the engine.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The oil cooler line (4.3w) on my chevy s10 Blazer came out of the crimp and caused considerable damage to my engine. The dealer who sold and does work on this vehicle says it is not their fault and the repair price tag is quite a large sum! I would like to know why and how can chevy let a defect of this magnitude go unnoticed! I do not feel it is my responsibility to pay for this repair!”

   NHTSA complaint #10010226, filed 2003-03, 82,379 miles

   “We purchased a 95 chevy Blazer from a dealer used at the end of october 2002. Less than 60 days later, the oil cooler line fell apart and all oil drained from the engine in 30-60 seconds, causing complete engine failure. The vehicle seized up in trafic in a dangerous area and there was not time to drive to a safe area to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who told us that this was a factory defect and suggested that we contact the dealer as the engine must be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10000874, filed 2003-01, 77,450 miles

Buying note. These are older vehicles with a wide range of reported mileage, so condition and repair history matter more than the model year itself. Check the brakes, fuel system, and oil cooler lines carefully before purchase, and confirm in writing which past safety campaigns were completed on the specific vehicle.

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.