TOOK MY 1997 BLAZER FOR PA. STATE INSPECTION,FAILED BECAUSE OF CORRODED LOWER BALL JOINTS...REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED ME TO KEEP AN EYE ON IDLER ARM-LOOKED TO BE WEAKENING. I LATER WENT ON DEALER WEBSITE AND FOUND A RECALL NOTICE FOR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD…
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TOOK MY 1997 BLAZER FOR PA. STATE INSPECTION,FAILED BECAUSE OF CORRODED LOWER BALL JOINTS...REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED ME TO KEEP AN EYE ON IDLER ARM-LOOKED TO BE WEAKENING. I LATER WENT ON DEALER WEBSITE AND FOUND A RECALL NOTICE FOR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. CALLED CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR LOWER BALL JOINTS, ONLY UPPERS. MY MECHANIC WAS SHOCKED TO SEE SUCH EXTREME CORROSION ON A LATER MODEL AND HE SAID IT WAS SO BAD HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT HAD NOT FALLEN OFF AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10013840
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2003
Suspension
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINT AS STATED IN RECALL # 01 V 200 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014935
33,500 miles · Mar 31, 2003
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER WITH UNDER 34,000 MILES ON IT WITH NO PRIOR WARNING THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT SNAPPED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BEND INWARD CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE NARROWLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC THAT FOUND THE OTHER THREE BALL JOINTS TO BE LOOSE AND IN POOR C…
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WHILE DRIVING A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER WITH UNDER 34,000 MILES ON IT WITH NO PRIOR WARNING THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT SNAPPED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BEND INWARD CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE NARROWLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC THAT FOUND THE OTHER THREE BALL JOINTS TO BE LOOSE AND IN POOR CONDITION AS WELL. HE WAS SHOCKED TO FIND SUCH A CONDITION ON SUCH A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE AS WELL. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10013738
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2003
Suspension
THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO TIGHTEN.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10008937
82,000 miles · Dec 18, 2002
Suspension
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION FOR TIRES, CONSUMER STATES THAT MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. NO WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001130
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2002
Suspension
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND "WOBBLY". ALSO NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS HAVING EXCESSIVE ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE CORRODED CAUSING PROBLEMS. MR
NHTSA ODI #8024178
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2002
Suspension
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE JOINTS SEPARATING WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 01I081000*AK
NHTSA ODI #8018257
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2002
SuspensionInjury
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FRONT END SUDDENLY WENT DOWN TO THE GROUND. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION, CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A CRASH WITH ONE INJURY, ALSO MENTIONS RECALL 01E018, BUT STATES HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8016718
84,405 miles · Jul 25, 2002
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH BALL JOINT CAME APART AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TO GO INWARD TOWARDS THE ENGINE. *JB THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPLACED BALL JOINTS. HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. WHEEL BEARINGS, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #8014784
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2002
SteeringSuspension
VEHICLE HAS LOSE STEERING, WHEN VEHICLE HITTING A BUMP IT FELT REAL HOLLOW. THIS WAS A RESULT OF BAD LOWER BALL JOINTS.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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