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CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2004 Chevrolet BlazerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 50 owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer. Most complaints involve electrical system (10) and structure (6). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Mar 2004
Owner complaints
50
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
50 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2004 – Mar 2018
- Electrical system10
- Structure6
- Suspension6
- Service brakes4
- Steering4
- Power train4
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Air bags3
- Tires3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Blazer model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,161 |
| 1997 | 774 |
| 1998 | 734 |
| 1999 | 442 |
| 2000 | 600 |
| 2001 | 331 |
| 2002 | 259 |
| 2003 | 104 |
| 2004 | 50 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2019 | 190 |
| 2020 | 224 |
| 2021 | 142 |
| 2022 | 55 |
| 2023 | 44 |
| 2024 | 133 |
| 2025 | 56 |
| 2026 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 5
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
10 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNCIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.”
Structure
6 reports
“WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, MY DRIVER'S DOOR FLEW OPEN. NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. I AM ABLE TO MANUALLY MOVE THE LATCH WITH THE DOOR OPEN BUT IT WILL NOT ENGAGE TO SECURE THE DOOR SHUT. *TR”
Suspension
6 reports1 crash
“2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION WAS FIXED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, DUE TO THE FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN. IN NOVEMBER 2013, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. PER THE MECHANIC, THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CAME APART, AGAIN AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A HEAVY KEY CHAIN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TWO WHEEL THRUST ALIGNMENT, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SERVICED TWICE WITHIN 7 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 4.3L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blazer 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Blazer 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Blazer 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Blazer 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
- 16mpg comb.
- 16mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2004 Blazer questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer have?
1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Blazer problems?
Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (10), structure (6), suspension (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026