IllustrationTRANSMISSION DIP STICK RUSTED - FILLING TUBE NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED AND DIP STICK REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE O-RING GASKET ON THESE DIP STICKS ARE DEFECTIVE. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Blazer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
Power Train complaints
110 reportsTHE TRANSMISSION HAD RAIN WATER RUN DOWN THE TUBE FROM THE GRATES IN THE HOOD BEN MYNETT CHEVROLET DRAINED THE FLUID AND CHANGED THE FILTERS AND REPLACED THE DIP STICK AND TUBE THY SAID THIS WOULD DO ENOUGH BUT NOW THERE IS RUST PARTICLES IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK FOR THAT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING .THE AIR CONDIT…
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THE TRANSMISSION HAD RAIN WATER RUN DOWN THE TUBE FROM THE GRATES IN THE HOOD BEN MYNETT CHEVROLET DRAINED THE FLUID AND CHANGED THE FILTERS AND REPLACED THE DIP STICK AND TUBE THY SAID THIS WOULD DO ENOUGH BUT NOW THERE IS RUST PARTICLES IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK FOR THAT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING .THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS WENT OUT TWICE THEY SAID IT WAS JUST A HOSE CLOGGED TWO TIMES IN JUST A FEW MONTHS .THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED TWICE IN A 2 WEEK TIME PERIOD THE DEX COOL COOLANT HAS HAD A REPUTATION OF CLOGGING UP THE HEATER CORE IN ALL GM CARS .THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS WENT OUT TWICE THIS WAS FROM A VACUUM HOSE AROUND THE TRANSMISSION .THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS HAVE WENT OUT ONCE .TBATTERY WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES IN A 2 MONTH TIME PERIOD THIS HAD US STRANDED IN 95 DEGREE HEAT .TURNED OUT IT WAS A BAD ALTERNATOR.THE FACTORY UNIROYAL 50000 MILE TIRES ONLY LASTED 30000 MILES AND THEY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT .THE VEHICLE CUT OFF ONE DAY LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHILE MOVING AT 45 MPH MY WIFE BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD .THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE TANK .( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205-75-15 )
FAILED FIRST AT 38,280 REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER NOT INVOLVED IN 1ST OR 2ND FAILURE/REPAIR. CHEVROLET SAYS THAT 76K ON REPAIRED TRANSMISSION IS REASONABLE -- I DISAGREE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIP AND LEAK OIL. TRANSMISSION SHOWED NO SIGNS OF PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
LUDDY CHEVROLET DENIES THAT PROBLEMS WITH TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION ARE ENGINEERING DEFECTS. TRANSMISSION FLUID SMELLED BURNED, AND ALSO CONSTANTLY SLIPPED. TRANSFER CASE MADE A NOISE WHEN IN MOTION, WAS A BENT SHAFT AND WORN BEARING. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A HIGHWAY DRIVEN VEHICLE WITH 61500 MILE…
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LUDDY CHEVROLET DENIES THAT PROBLEMS WITH TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION ARE ENGINEERING DEFECTS. TRANSMISSION FLUID SMELLED BURNED, AND ALSO CONSTANTLY SLIPPED. TRANSFER CASE MADE A NOISE WHEN IN MOTION, WAS A BENT SHAFT AND WORN BEARING. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A HIGHWAY DRIVEN VEHICLE WITH 61500 MILES.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT TO 3RD OR OVERDRIVE. DIPSTICK IS FULL OF PARTICLES. DEALER REBUILDING. *AK
TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK HAS RUSTED, REVERSE IS GONE, STARTING TO SLIP IN DRIVE GEARS. *AK
THE DIFFERENTIAL CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH., NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS MALFUNCTION WITH THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO EXPLAINATION FOR THE INCIDENT.
NO SUMMARY
Official recalls
403V117000 · 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
2EA97004 · 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.