Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 453 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 53 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 52 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 44 | 10% |
| Power train | 35 | 8% |
| Seats | 26 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 5% |
| Air bags | 20 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 20 | 4% |
| Visibility | 15 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 14 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL DON'T WORK ON UNTIL YOU MOVE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH DOWN FOR THE LEFT SIDE TO WORK THEN IT WORKS FOR A BRIEF MOMENT.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE ABS SYSTEMM IS NOT WORKING AND THE IS A SHORT IN THE FRONT END,..CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE. AMAZINGLY AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE THE LIGHTS ON THE BUMPER THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO LIGHT UP THE LICENES
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
BOUGHT A BLAZER FROM LEE XARS IN FORT MYERS. WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO A AUTO REPAIR CLOSE TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY BACK TO TOWN. WHEN I BOUGHT IT THEY OUT A RELAY SWITCH SO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM LEE AUTO IN FORT MYERS. WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. TOOK IT TO A CLOSE MECHANIC TO CHECK THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BACK THERE TO GET CHECKED OUT. THIS IS WHAT MY MECHANIC SAID. A/C CO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL IN AUGUST 20, 1999 FOR 2000 CHEVY BLAZERS: THE BRAKE PIPE UNION FITTINGS THAT FEED THE VARIOUS BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS MAY LEAK AND CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION AND NEED AN ADDITIO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
1999 CHEVROLET BLAZER WITH A V6 ENGINE HAD A PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AT 87K MILES. A HAIR LINE CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN A CYLINDER USING A DYE TEST. THE MACHINIST WHO INSPECTED THE ENGINE BELIEVES IT WAS CREATED AS THE R
NHTSA complaint: Engine
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE FLASHER RELAY CLICKING NON STOP / APPLY BRAKES IT STOPS WHAT ELSE IS MALFUNCTIONING THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS? OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED WITH SAME ISSUE. PLEASE I
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
PASSLOCK FAILURE CAR WILL NOT START AND HAVE TO WAIT EXACTLY 10 MIN AND TRY AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability raw | 66 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 92 | excellent |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 453 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 53 of them (12%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 66/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.