Chevrolet Blazer VIN Number Check

Decode a Chevrolet Blazer VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefix1GN3GN1G8

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Chevrolet Blazer

About the Chevrolet Blazer

Chevrolet has sold the Blazer in the US since the 1990 model year, and there have been three generations. K5 first (1990–1991), then S-10 (1992–2005), and the Gen 3 took over for 2019–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 33 vehicle recall campaigns and 8,013 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the S-10. Its 1995 and 1996 model years alone account for 2,377 of them, with owners bringing up brakes most often and visibility after that. EPA rates the K5 at 12–18 mpg combined, while the Gen 3 gets 21–25 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1990–2026

GenerationsK5 · S-10 · Gen 3

NHTSA recall campaigns33

Owner complaints8,013 at NHTSA

Chevrolet Blazer photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Chevrolet Blazer generations

Three generations since the 1990 model year. The S-10 (1992–2005) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (22).

3 / 3

Gen 3

2019–20263rd generation

19901995200020052010201520202025

2019–2026· Generation 3 of 3

Gen 3 · 3rd generation

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle

EPA combined mpg21–25

NHTSA recalls9

Engines (EPA)

2.5 L 4-cyl · 2019–2021
3.6 L 6-cyl · 2019–2026
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2020–2026
Electric · 2024–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD
automatic (2019–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (214)Engine and cooling (189)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (185)2 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 717 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 33GNKBCRS?LS······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer 2LT, built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico

Check a Blazer VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Blazer model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 33 campaigns on file for Blazer model years 1990–2026, and the 1995 and 1996 show up in the most (6 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Chevrolet Blazer owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 1995 (1,224 of 8,013). Tap any bar or generation.

8,013NHTSA complaints, 1990–2026

855mention a crash

183mention a fire

558injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 3: 717 complaints · most for the 2020 (220)

Top complaint areas · Gen 3

Mentions in 717 complaints, 2019–2026.

Electrical system214

Engine and cooling189

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)185

Steering98

Brakes72

Forward collision avoidance47

Crashes 28Fires 2Injuries 32

2019–2026 (Gen 3)

NHTSA data summary

The 2020 stands out. On its own it has 220 of the ’s 717 complaints (31%). By area, nothing stands out. Electrical system leads with 214, with engine and cooling (189) and the powertrain (185) close behind.

What Blazer owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2019–present (3rd generation)

Owner complaints are moderate, and CarComplaints has only a few reports. Many NHTSA owners of the 2019 and 2020 describe a Shift to Park message that appears when the SUV is already in park, and CarComplaints lists the same issue along with a car that will not turn off. On the 2020, dozens of NHTSA reports describe a Steering Assist Reduced warning that comes on together with the A/C shutting off, the cooling fan running at high speed and a check engine light. A recall covers curtain air bag inflators on some 2020 models. [1] [2] [3] [4]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the curtain air bag recall on some 2020 models, and ask whether any GM service program work on the cooling system or shifter has been done.
On the drive, shift to park and turn the SUV off to see if a Shift to Park message appears, watch for steering assist or check engine warnings and check that the A/C keeps blowing cold.

Sources (4) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Blazer complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Electric and diesel Blazer versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

8,013complaints, 1990–2026

855mention a crash

183mention a fire

558injuries reported

18complaints report a death

Most complaints: 1995 (1,224), 1996 (1,153), 1997 (768)

1995 · 1,224 complaints

Crashes 154 · fires 26 · injuries 84

Service brakes528

Engine and engine cooling213

Visibility178

Fuel system112

Electrical system70

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Blazer CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 126 Blazer versions for model years 1990–2026 (gas, diesel and electric). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 349 g/mi (2021). Electric versions have none at the tailpipe. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

K51990–1991

12–18 mpg · CO₂ 494–741 g/mi

S-101992–2005

12–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–741 g/mi

Gen 32019–2026

21–25 mpg · 85–104 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0–433 g/mi

Model year2025

25combined MPG

350CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,700EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Blazer FWD · Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 25 MPG · 350 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasDieselElectric

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Blazer vs Ford Edge vs Toyota RAV4

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2019–2026. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the Blazer, against 13 for the Ford Edge and 23 for the Toyota RAV4. Pick a range to compare.

Chevrolet BlazerGen 3

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 9
NHTSA owner complaints: 717
EPA combined mpg: 21–25
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0, 2.5 L · 6-cyl 3.6 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 214
Engine and cooling 189
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 185

Ford Edge

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 13
NHTSA owner complaints: 1,396
EPA combined mpg: 21–25
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 2.7 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 743
Engine and cooling 272
Electrical system 109

Toyota RAV4

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 23
NHTSA owner complaints: 2,800
EPA combined mpg: 27–43
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.5 L
Also listed: hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 558
Electrical system 508
Fuel system 423

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Chevrolet Blazer VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Blazer

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Chevrolet Blazer (2019+ generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Blazer's VIN appears on a plate at the lower driver's side windshield. The door jamb sticker and B-pillar label between the front and rear doors are the secondary reference points. The 2019-on Blazer is a unibody design, so it has no frame stamp. The Gen 3 generation starts with the 2019 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (K for 2019) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Chevrolet Blazer VIN questions

Which Chevrolet Blazer model years have the most owner complaints?

The 1995 leads with 1,224, ahead of the 1996 (1,153) and 1997 (768). Those first two alone make up 30% of the 8,013 Blazer complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Blazer had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 33 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, S-10 leads with 22. Then come the Gen 3 (9) and K5 (4), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Chevrolet Blazer recalls are high risk?

20V-446 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 96V-234, 03V-093 and 20V-668. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Blazer generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the K5 is 1990–1991 and the S-10 1992–2005. Gen 3 spans 2019–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (K is 2019).

What fuel economy does the Chevrolet Blazer get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2019–2026 Gen 3 at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 12–18 mpg for the 1990–1991 K5 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Chevrolet Blazer compare with the Ford Edge and Toyota RAV4 on recalls?

For 2019–2026 models the Blazer has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford Edge has 13, the Toyota RAV4 23. Complaints run 717, 1,396 and 2,800 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Chevrolet Blazer have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Blazer 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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Chevrolet Blazer VIN Number Check

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