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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

56 reports
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55,000 miles · Nov 13, 2003
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSuspension

PRIMARY: ELECTRICAL FAILURES! IGNITION SWITCH; MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS FOR WHICH NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER DEALER WORKED ON IT; VEHICLE STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT; ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT; MULTIP…

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PRIMARY: ELECTRICAL FAILURES! IGNITION SWITCH; MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS FOR WHICH NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER DEALER WORKED ON IT; VEHICLE STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT; ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT; MULTIPLE BATTERIES -DRAIN FOR UNIDENTIFIED REASON; FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND PUMP; UNEXPLAINED NOISES IN THE FRONT END; FRONT BALL JOINTS LOOSE FOR WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS WITHIN FACTORY LIMITS EVEN THOUGH MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT; AT THIS POINT I HAVE BECOME AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND STALLING BUT FEEL THAT I HAVE NO CHOICE BECAUSE THE COSTS TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE IS THAT OF THE PAYMENTS AND SOMETIMES MORE AND I CANNOT AFFORD THE REQUIRED MONEY DOWN TO REPLACE IT. BOTTOM LINE -I AM GETTING RID OF IT AS SOON AS I CAN SINCE I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR RECURRENT PROBLEMS. I NEED A RELIABLE VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT ONE AND FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND DEALT WITH -1997 CHEVY BLAZERS ARE NOT. THE RULE OUT THERE IS YOU EITHER HAVE A GOOD ONE OR A BAD ONE AND I CANNOT AFFORD ON MANY FRONTS THE ONE I HAVE. AT LEAST CHEVY SHOULD OWN UP TO THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS PARTICULARLY SINCE IT IS TIED TO A MOVING VEHICLE STALLING OUT AND PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES AT RISK. I WILL NOT OWN ANOTHER CHEVY ONCE I CAN GET RID OF THIS ONE. THE INCIDENT DATE REFERS TO THE PERIOD STARTING WITH THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FAILURES. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046889

50,468 miles · Oct 1, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

SENDING UNIT ON 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER WAS REPLACED.*MR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GAS TANK AND SENDING UNIT. *JB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10042635

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2003
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

CONSUMER NOTICE FUEL INDICATOR GIVES WRONG READING DUE TO FUEL TANK ELECTRICAL SHORT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10034516

56,000 miles · Aug 6, 2003
Fuel System, GasolineSuspensionVisibility

PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BALL JOINTS,WINSHIELD WIPER BLADES, AND FUEL PUMP.THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED ALSO THE WIND SHIELD MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET A NEW FUEL PUMP FOR THE COST OF $400.00. CONSUMER FELLS DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. *MR *CB

NHTSA ODI #10031832

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS GUAGE FLUCTUATES EACH TIME VEHICLE IS STARTED UP. TANK MAY BE HALF, BUT DUE TO MALFUCTION IT READS FULL. INADEQUATE READINGS HAS CAUSED CONSUMER TO RUN OUT OF GAS. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE DECEMBER 2000. DEALER WAS INFORMED, AND STATED THAT FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #8013846

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP SENSOR QUIT WORKING. NO WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #760462

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED A RUPTURED FUEL INJECTION LINE. FUEL BACKED UP TO THE COMPUTER MODULE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IF IGNITED. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN TO THIS DEGREE.*AK GM WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS TO BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE …

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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED A RUPTURED FUEL INJECTION LINE. FUEL BACKED UP TO THE COMPUTER MODULE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IF IGNITED. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN TO THIS DEGREE.*AK GM WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS TO BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN MAKING REPAIRES. *MJ

NHTSA ODI #8005466

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2002
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT FOLLOWING COMPONENTS NEEDED REPLACED: PCM, SIX FUEL INJECTORS, ELECTRICAL HARNESS, FUEL GAUGE, AND AN UNKNOWN GASKET. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #8001472

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY FOR REIMBURSEMENT IS TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP INSPECT VEHICLE AT A COST OF $240 TO SEE IF THE PART WAS REPLACED WITH A GM PART.*JB

NHTSA ODI #563675

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

#1-INCORRECT READING OF FUEL GUAGE (FAILURE) OF GAS TANK SENDING UNIT. REPLACE GAS TANK SENDING UNIT 8/28/01 MI. 23,071 @ SYLVESTOR CHEV. PEEKVILLE PA. TOTAL COST $665.89 #2-GAS LEAKS WHENEVER FILLING UP AT PUMP CAUSE-RUBBER SEAL SUCKED IN FROM SUCTION OF FUEL PUMP, REMEDY-RESEAL SENDING UNIT, REGLUE SEAL, MI. @ TIME OF THIS …

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#1-INCORRECT READING OF FUEL GUAGE (FAILURE) OF GAS TANK SENDING UNIT. REPLACE GAS TANK SENDING UNIT 8/28/01 MI. 23,071 @ SYLVESTOR CHEV. PEEKVILLE PA. TOTAL COST $665.89 #2-GAS LEAKS WHENEVER FILLING UP AT PUMP CAUSE-RUBBER SEAL SUCKED IN FROM SUCTION OF FUEL PUMP, REMEDY-RESEAL SENDING UNIT, REGLUE SEAL, MI. @ TIME OF THIS PROBLEM 31,283 TOTAL COST $115.00 #3-WINDSHIELS WIPERS WERE INTERMIT. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, STARTED TO RAIN-WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE-HAD TO WAIT OUT STORM ON SIDE OF ROAD, BUT THE NEXT DAY WIPERS WERE OPERABLE. SOMEDAYS THEY WORKED & OTHERDAYS THEY WOULDN'T WORK CAUSE-DELAY BOARD SHORTED OUT-REPLACED DELAY BOARD @ COST OF $80.98, MI. @ TIME OF FAILURE APPROX. 28,000. ALL OF THE ABOVE ITEMS WERE SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #9004077

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.