← New search

1997 Chevrolet Blazer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Blazer years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 32.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 171 of 768 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

60 crash reports26 fire reports44 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

89 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2001
Electrical System

ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AT RANDOM AS IF THE IGNITION HAS BEEN QUICKLY TURNED OFF (OR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS QUICKLY SHUT DOWN), WHICH IS A CAUSE OF MAJOR CONCERN TO ME AS I HAVE TO PULL TO THE ROADSIDE WITHOUT POWER BRAKES OR STEERING WHICH HAVE FAILED TOO (WITHOUT ANY POWER). READING REPORTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE HERE, IT APPEARS …

Read full complaint

ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AT RANDOM AS IF THE IGNITION HAS BEEN QUICKLY TURNED OFF (OR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS QUICKLY SHUT DOWN), WHICH IS A CAUSE OF MAJOR CONCERN TO ME AS I HAVE TO PULL TO THE ROADSIDE WITHOUT POWER BRAKES OR STEERING WHICH HAVE FAILED TOO (WITHOUT ANY POWER). READING REPORTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE HERE, IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS HAD A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER YET, BUT I WILL BE GOING IN THERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEM AN IDEA OF WHAT ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IS THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754888

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2001
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

CHEVROLET CONTACTED (REFERENCE # 205786717) IN REFERENCE TO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE INCLUDING: FAILED BALL JOINT WHILE DRIVING, OTHERS BALL JOINTS WORN AT THAT TIME AND REPLACED (THEY WERE OK WHEN CHECKCED IN JULY FOR STATE INSPECTION), FAILED UNIT AVAILABLE; IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND EVENTUALLY NOT STA…

Read full complaint

CHEVROLET CONTACTED (REFERENCE # 205786717) IN REFERENCE TO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE INCLUDING: FAILED BALL JOINT WHILE DRIVING, OTHERS BALL JOINTS WORN AT THAT TIME AND REPLACED (THEY WERE OK WHEN CHECKCED IN JULY FOR STATE INSPECTION), FAILED UNIT AVAILABLE; IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND EVENTUALLY NOT START; PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR ON FRONT DISC PADS (CAUSING PADS TO BE REPLACED 5 TIMES IN 48,000 MILES). CHEVREOLET ADVISES THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTIONS CONCERNING THESE PROBLEMS. COPIES OF LETTERS TO CHEVROLET & RECEIPTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.*AK

NHTSA ODI #754641

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2001
Electrical System

MY SUV IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I WANT TO WHY THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT IN IT, BECAUSE IT COST ME ALMOST $400.00. I WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS DEFECTIVE AND IF IT IS I SHOULD'NT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #754618

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2001
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNDRIVEABLE. THREE WIRE HARNESSES HAVE MELTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE MELTING MAY HAVE CONTINUED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WORKING THROUGH FUSIBLE LINKS, THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE SES SENSOR, GAS GAUGE, AND POWER STEERING. FUEL PUMP AND MODULE WERE ALSO REPLACED. *SL…

Read full complaint

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNDRIVEABLE. THREE WIRE HARNESSES HAVE MELTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE MELTING MAY HAVE CONTINUED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WORKING THROUGH FUSIBLE LINKS, THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE SES SENSOR, GAS GAUGE, AND POWER STEERING. FUEL PUMP AND MODULE WERE ALSO REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #891200

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

A SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE PUNCHED A HOLE THROUGH PISTON, WHICH CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE HAS PHOTOS OF THE DISASSEMBLED MOTOR SHOWING THE DAMAGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #888295

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER HOOD DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #878543

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2000
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT AFTER BLOWING. TRANSMISSION NOW JERKS INTERMITTENTLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND. BRAKE PADS WEAR EXTREMELY QUICK. WIRING HARNESS UNDER DRIVERS SEAT HAD MULTIPLE SHORTS, CAUSING NO POWER SEATS, POWER LOCKS, AND FLAHING INTERIOR LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736477

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

BATTERY REPLACED, LEAKING FLUID. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #555925

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

DRIVER SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF WHEN THE DOOR WAS BEING SHUT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #554605

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSeat Belts

FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM REPAIRED AT THE DEALER AND THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE SHOP IT FLOODED WITH GASOLINE AND CAUGHT FIRE. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #553649

Official recalls

4

03V117000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Mar 31, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. SUSTAINED LOADS OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE AND DURATION ON THE BELT IN SEVERE CRASHES COULD FULLY DEPLOY THE BUCKLE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP, INTRODUCING A TOTAL OF 10 ADDITIONAL INCHES OF WEBBING INTO THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE FREE FALLING LATCH PLATE USED IN THIS SYSTEM MAY ALLOW WEBBING TO DYNAMICALLY DISTRIBUTE BETWEEN THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT AS THE DRIVER'S POSITION CHANGES DURING A MULTIPLE ROLLOVER EVENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP FULLY DEPLOYS IN A SEVERE MULTIPLE ROLLOVER CRASH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A BELTED DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE PARTIAL OR EVEN COMPLETE EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

01V200000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

Jun 28, 2001

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

97V096001 · Seat Belts

Jun 12, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA97004 · Seat Belt Webbing Separation

Opened Feb 28, 1997 · Closed Aug 5, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing

NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:front:webbing

NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.

Seat Belts:front:webbing

NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.

EA94038 · Abs Braking System

Opened Oct 31, 1994 · Closed Feb 28, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.