IllustrationLEFT REAR WHEEL CYLINDER ON DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT, RESULTING IN NO BRAKES WHILE DRIVING
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
144 reportsCAR ACCELERATED TO 70MPH WHEN I WHEN TO DOWNSHIFT TO GET OFF A MAJOR HIGHWAY RAMP. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND LOST MY BRAKES. I TURNED OFF THE KEY TO STOP. I WAS TRAVELING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN MARYLAND AND AT THAT TIME OF DAY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. I COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND KILLED…
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CAR ACCELERATED TO 70MPH WHEN I WHEN TO DOWNSHIFT TO GET OFF A MAJOR HIGHWAY RAMP. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND LOST MY BRAKES. I TURNED OFF THE KEY TO STOP. I WAS TRAVELING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN MARYLAND AND AT THAT TIME OF DAY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. I COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED MYSELF. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW!!!!!!!*AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK AT 10-15 MPH ON WET ROAD THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *YH
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE ON BEFORE STOPPING, AND A GRINDING NOISE WOULD COME FROM FRONT WHEELS. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
THIS IS THE SEVENTH FAILURE OF THE BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING. TWICE THE BOOSTERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE CALIPERS, ADJUSTED, REBUILT, AND REPLACED. IT FAILED AGAIN THIS WEEK AND THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK
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…
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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
BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 15-20 MPH, YOU COULD PUSH PEDAL TO FLOOR AND NOT BE ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER HAD FAILED. HAD NEW BOOSTER INSTALLED AND THIS TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
DRIVER COMPLAINS OF LOUD AIR SOUND WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. ALSO, WHEN PARKED APPLYING THE BRAKE MAKES THE SAME SOUND AS WELL AS AFFECTING THE REV OF THE ENGINE. *AK
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT APPROX. 5MPH THE FRONT AXLE AND UPPER BALL JOINT SNAPPED, CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE ABS SENSOR, SLICED THE RIM AMONG OTHER THINGS. TIRES WERE WEARING IN A ODD POSITION DOWN TO THE BELTS, OBVIOUSLY DUE TO PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP IS REPAIRING NOW. ALL UNDER WARRANTY, EX…
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WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT APPROX. 5MPH THE FRONT AXLE AND UPPER BALL JOINT SNAPPED, CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE ABS SENSOR, SLICED THE RIM AMONG OTHER THINGS. TIRES WERE WEARING IN A ODD POSITION DOWN TO THE BELTS, OBVIOUSLY DUE TO PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP IS REPAIRING NOW. ALL UNDER WARRANTY, EXCEPT THE RIM SINCE IT IS A NONMECHANICAL PART EVEN THOUGH MECHANICAL DEFECTS CAUSED THE DAMAGE. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING SPACE AND NOT 50FT. SOONER ON THE 4 LANE HIGHWAY I WAS ON WITH MY 8 YR OLD DAUGHTER. THE WHEEL WAS HALF ON LEANING INTO THE TRUCK. HAD IT HAPPENED SOONER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING NUMEROUS PEOPLE. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER IS INTERMITTENT AND ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS, CAUSING DISTRACTIONS IN VISION WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES THE WIPER WILL NOT GO DOWN FOR UP TO 30MIN.THAT IS ALSO BEING REPAIRED NOW. CONTACTED GM AND THEY CLAIM THERE HAVE BEEN NO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS MATTER WITH THE AXLE OR BALL JOINTS BREAKING. *AK
BRAKES SQUEAK, IDLER ARM NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY CAUSING RATTLING AND PULLING WHILE DRIVING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY DURING USE CAUSING PROBLEMS SEEING OUTSIDE, REAR DEFROST DOES NOT WORK, FUEL GAUGE GIVES INCORRECT READINGS AND BOBS BACK AND FORTH, DEX COOLANT TURNED TO SLUDGE CAUSING BLOCKAGES IN HEATING CO…
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BRAKES SQUEAK, IDLER ARM NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY CAUSING RATTLING AND PULLING WHILE DRIVING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY DURING USE CAUSING PROBLEMS SEEING OUTSIDE, REAR DEFROST DOES NOT WORK, FUEL GAUGE GIVES INCORRECT READINGS AND BOBS BACK AND FORTH, DEX COOLANT TURNED TO SLUDGE CAUSING BLOCKAGES IN HEATING CORE, ENGINE BLOCK, AND RADIATOR
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.