Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 6 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Tires | 3 | 6% |
| Suspension | 3 | 6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
COUPLE WEEK AFTER BOUGHT, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. COST 11OO TO FIX.FEB. 26 LOOK OUT DOOR IN MORNING AND AIR BAGS EXPLODED AND CAUSE ALL ELECTRIC SYSTEM TO GO OUT. BRAKE WAS ON STREET, AIR BAG WAS IN DRIVEWAY AT HOME.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WOKE UP IN MORNING AFTER STORM AND LOOKED OUT TO FIND THAT THE AIR BAG IN BLAZER HAD EXPLODED OUT. SHUT ALL SYSTEM OFF.? THE BLAZER WAS AND IS STILL STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
BRAKE LINE CORRODED THROUGH AND LOST REAR BRAKES DURING STOP--DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR PROPERLY---PART NO LONGER AVAILABLE THRU GEN MOTORS--WENT OUT DURING STOP ON HIGHWAY --NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR PEOPLE--GROSELY LONGER
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
AFTER REPLACING BRAKE PADS ON VEHICLE I WAS PUMPING BRAKES TO BLEED OUT AIR IN THE LINES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. REQUIRED 100% REPLACEMENT OF A
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHILE DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT OF LOWES, THE DOOR HINGE ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILED ALONG WITH LATCH ALLOWING IT FALL OFF. MAKING DOOR UNCLOSABLE AND CAR UNDRIVABLE. AFTER TAKING IT TO REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC SHOWED ME SEVERA
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION. THE KEY DOES NOT RELEASE AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CAR MUST BE TURNED BACK ON AND OFTEN MOVED IN REVERSE THEN FORWARD A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THE KEY WILL RELE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Risk: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 92 | excellent |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 6 of them (12%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. 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.