2004 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2004 Chevrolet Blazer is a compact SUV known for its truck-like construction and off-road capabilities. It offers a blend of practicality and ruggedness, making it a popular choice for those seeking a capable and affordable vehicle. Engine options include a 4.3L Vortec V6 engine that produced 190 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options for the 2004 Blazer include a 4-speed automatic transmission (4L60E) or a 5-speed manual (New Venture 3500). Owners generally appreciate the Blazer’s simplicity, ease of repair, and value. Common complaints include the Blazer’s fuel economy, ride quality, and dated interior.

Engine

4.3L Vortec V6

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks, overheating, rough idle, loss of coolant, white smoke from the exhaust.
  • Solution: Replace the intake manifold gasket.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600
  • Recalls: None Found
• Fuel Injector Issues (Spider Injector)
  • Description/Symptoms: Poor fuel economy, rough idle, misfires, hard starting, engine hesitation. Often, the original spider injectors degrade over time.
  • Solution: Replacing the spider injector assembly with an updated multi-port fuel injection system.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800
  • Recalls: None Found
• Distributor Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Engine misfires, no start, stalling. The distributor’s internal components, such as the pickup coil or module, can fail.
  • Solution: Replace the distributor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

4L60E (4-Speed Automatic)

• Slipping or Erratic Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: Transmission slipping between gears, hard shifts, failure to shift, delayed engagement. This can be due to worn clutches, valve body issues, or solenoid failure.
  • Solution: Transmission rebuild or replacement; valve body repair/replacement; solenoid replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,000+ for rebuild/replacement; $300 - $800 for valve body work; $100 - $300 for solenoid replacement.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Torque Converter Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering at low speeds, stalling, poor acceleration, transmission overheating.
  • Solution: Replace the torque converter.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
  • Recalls: None Found

New Venture 3500 (5-Speed Manual)

• Hard Shifting/Grinding Gears
  • Description/Symptoms: Difficulty shifting into gears, grinding noises during shifts, especially 2nd or 3rd gear. Often caused by worn synchronizers.
  • Solution: Transmission rebuild or replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,200 - $2,500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Worn Ball Joints and Control Arm Bushings
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking noises from the front suspension, loose steering, uneven tire wear.
  • Solution: Replace ball joints and control arm bushings.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800 per side
  • Recalls: None Found
• Sagging Leaf Springs (Rear)
  • Description/Symptoms: Rear of the vehicle sagging, poor ride quality, reduced load-carrying capacity.
  • Solution: Replace leaf springs.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800 per side
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy
  • Description/Symptoms: Fuel gauge reading incorrectly, either showing full when empty or empty when full, or fluctuating erratically. Commonly caused by a faulty fuel level sending unit in the fuel tank.
  • Solution: Replace the fuel level sending unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400
  • Recalls: None Found
• ABS Sensor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: ABS light illuminated on the dashboard, ABS not functioning properly, potential loss of braking assist.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty ABS sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $300 per sensor
  • Recalls: None Found
• Window Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Window not going up or down, grinding noises when attempting to operate the window.
  • Solution: Replace the window motor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $350
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Rust on Rocker Panels and Lower Body Panels
  • Description/Symptoms: Visible rust, especially on rocker panels, wheel wells, and lower door panels. Common in areas with road salt.
  • Solution: Rust repair and panel replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2,000+ depending on severity
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Headliner Sagging
  • Description/Symptoms: Headliner fabric detaching from the headliner board and sagging down.
  • Solution: Replace or re-glue the headliner fabric.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500
  • Recalls: None Found
• Cracked Dashboards
  • Description/Symptoms: Cracks appearing on the dashboard, especially in sun-exposed areas.
  • Solution: Replace or repair the dashboard.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,000+ (depending on replacement vs. repair)
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2004 Chevrolet Blazer, while a capable and affordable SUV, has its share of common issues. The most significant and costly problems typically revolve around the transmission, particularly the 4L60E automatic, and engine issues such as the intake manifold gasket and fuel injector problems in the 4.3L V6. Suspension wear and tear, especially the ball joints and leaf springs, are also common. Electrical problems like fuel gauge inaccuracy and ABS sensor failure can be annoying and potentially unsafe. Rust is a concern, especially in colder climates. While some issues are relatively inexpensive to fix, transmission and extensive rust repair can be quite costly, making a thorough inspection crucial before purchasing a used 2004 Blazer.