The Lemon Index
200320062nd generation
About average · most complaints: body structure
25 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2432004 Nissan Murano 2332004 Hyundai Santa Fe 78
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 18 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 04V132000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 413 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Instrument cluster prndl inoperative and or battery light”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 25 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 27K miles (0K to 44K km) on the car (18 of all 25 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Serious and dangerous design flaw. Spare tire is exterior mounted at rear of vehicle in such a position that rear vision is obstructed by about 75%.
2004 Chevrolet Blazer owner · NHTSA complaint 10112827
More owner reports
When driving over bumpy roads, the consumer would momentarily loose steering control. Please provide more information.
NHTSA complaint 10074216
The plastic running board is loose and cut the driver's leg.
NHTSA complaint 10071661
Fixes owners look up most.
From 194 YouTube videos · 14.4M views · 1995–2005 Chevrolet Blazer
Most-watched topics
- Cooling system827K views
1996-2005 CHEVY BLAZER 4.3 V6 VORTEC P0128 COOLANT TEMP BELOW THRESHOLD AND HOW TO FIXTHEMOWERMEDIC1 · 227K views · 6 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors566K views
1994 to 2003 Chevy S 10 GMC S 15 Blazer and Jimmy Door Hinge Pin ReplacementHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 428K views · 3 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets198K views
Chevy 4.3l v6 oil leak issue 2001 Xtreme BlazerSXSBrothers · 198K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4172K views
2001 Chevrolet Blazer 4x4 fixNyxSilence · 132K views · 2 videos
Show 2 more
- Timing chain & engine155K views
1994 to 2003 Chevy S 10, GMC S 15, Blazer and Jimmy Left Front Fender Replacement guideHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 144K views · 2 videos - Brakes & ABS122K views
How to Replace 2000 Chevy Blazer Brake Caliper GMC Jimmy Bravada DIY S10 Brake Caliper ReplacementMark Jenkins · 90K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
List of Problems! MINT Condition S-10 Blazer 4.3 4x4Rainman Ray's Repairs · 147K views
2000 chevy blazer 4x4 problemszachary moore · 29K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2004 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 413 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Instrument cluster prndl inoperative and or battery light
- Water leak from sunroof into headliner
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.".
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Blazer recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Blazer year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 5 older years (1995–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 17 Chevrolet Blazer years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-blazer/?y=2004" title="Chevrolet Blazer reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-blazer/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Chevrolet Blazer reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 89; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Blazer year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2020.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Blazer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (24%), steering (16%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer have?
1 safety recall (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer have?
4.3L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Chevrolet Blazer year than the 2004?
Not nearby: the 2004 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Chevrolet Blazer years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2020 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works