1983 Chevrolet Blazer recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 BLAZER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E026000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE…
What could happen: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 BLAZER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E088000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE RIGHT FRONT CROSSOVER PIPE, WHICH CARRIES BRAKE HYDRAULIC FLUID, MAY BREAK AND LEAK FLUID. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER SKIRT CONTACTS THE PIPE AND VIBRATION CAUSES THE PIPE TO WEAR THROUGH.
What could happen:
The fix: IF THE POSITION AND CLEARANCE OF THE BRAKE PIPE ARE INCORRECT, THE FENDER SKIRT WILL BE ADJUSTED AND A REPLACEMENT PIPE WILL BE INSTALLED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 BLAZER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V107000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: THE RIGHT FRONT CROSSOVER PIPE, WHICH CARRIES BRAKE HYDRAULIC FLUID, MAY BREAK AND LEAK FLUID. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER SKIRT CONTACTS THE PIPE AND VIBRATION CAUSES THE PIPE TO WEAR THROUGH.
Consequence:
Remedy: IF THE POSITION AND CLEARANCE OF THE BRAKE PIPE ARE INCORRECT, THE FENDER SKIRT WILL BE ADJUSTED AND A REPLACEMENT PIPE WILL BE INSTALLED.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; FRONT BRAKE HYDRAULIC CROSSOVER PIPE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FLUID LEAKAGE WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKING,AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. AN ACCIDENT MAY RESULT, PARTICULARLY INSITUATIONS REQUIRING MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE.NOTE: AN INCREASE IN BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNINGLIGHT MAY INDICATE THE PROBLEM EXISTS.
4. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. THE INERTIA LOCK MECHANISM MAY NOT FUNCTION, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO FOLD FORWARD, AND THE SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 BLAZER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V046000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: THE INERTIA LOCK MECHANISM MAY NOT FUNCTION, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO FOLD FORWARD, AND THE SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD.
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOLDING REAR BENCH SEATS.SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; SEAT BACK INERTIA LOCK.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE REAR SEAT IS OCCUPIED, THIS COULD CAUSE PERSONALINJURY BY PINNING OCCUPANTS BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT AND THE BACK OF THE FRONTSEAT.NOTE: THIS FAILURE MAY OCCUR UNDER MODERATE BRAKING CONDITIONS.CORRECTIVEACTION: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A MANUALLY OPERATED LATCH WITH APOSITIVE LOCK AND RELEASE HANDLE AT NO CHARGE.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1983 Chevrolet Blazer owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (4), Hydraulic (4), Wheels / tires (2), Transmission / drivetrain (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/05/2000 · Wheels / tires
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH HEARD A RUMBLE NOISE, AND KEPT DRIVING. FINALLY PARKED, CHECKED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED NOTHING WRONG. DROVE HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE. NEXT DAY, NOTICED TIRE IN REAR HAD LOST ABOUT 6 INCHES IN DIAMETER OF THE TREAD. STEEL BELTS COULD BE SEEN. DROVE TO FIRESTONE RETAILER & HAD TIRE REPLACED. TIRES P205/75R15, ON 1983, CHEVROLET BLAZER.*AK
08/28/2000 · Wheels / tires
THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX TIRE ON THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *MJS
05/22/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
CLUTCH PAWL BROKE WITHOUT A WARNING, AND WHILE DRIVING. *AK
07/19/1997 · Brakes
THE BRAKE LINE BURST, CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE/ACCIDENT.
07/19/1997 · Brakes
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.
07/19/1997 · Brakes
BRAKE PADS FAILED.
07/19/1997 · Brakes
BRAKE DRUM WHEEL CYLINDER FAILED.
07/19/1997 · Transmission / drivetrain
REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED.