IllustrationWHILE DRIVING STEERING WAS NOT WORKING RIGHTLY. AT SAME HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THEN ,TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR UPPER BALLS JOINT. BUT, MECHANIC SAID THAT LOWER BALLS JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED SEVEN DAYS BEFOR,E AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT OWNER'S ESPENCE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*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
Suspension complaints
105 reportsWHEN RECALL 01I018000 REPAIRS ON UPPER BALL JOINT WERE DONE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL.*AK
RE: RECALL ID 3'S 01L08000 & 01V200000, DEALER CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THESE RECALLS. INDEPENDENT REVIEW SHOWS THAT BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM NEEDS REPLACING AT LESS THAN 50K MILES. WILL RECALL BE EXPANDED?*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA RECALL 01-I-018-000/ MANUFCTURER'S RECALL 01049; VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON UPPER BALL JOINTS. VEHICLE WAS DENIED SERVICE DUE TO BEING OVER 100,000 MILEAGE AS STATED IN RECALL LETTER. ALSO, VEHICLE COULD LOSE STEERING. CURRENTL, VHEICLE IS EXPERIENCING TOO MUCH PLAY, MORETHAN…
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NHTSA RECALL 01-I-018-000/ MANUFCTURER'S RECALL 01049; VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON UPPER BALL JOINTS. VEHICLE WAS DENIED SERVICE DUE TO BEING OVER 100,000 MILEAGE AS STATED IN RECALL LETTER. ALSO, VEHICLE COULD LOSE STEERING. CURRENTL, VHEICLE IS EXPERIENCING TOO MUCH PLAY, MORETHAN NORMAL IN STEERING WHEEL. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT AN INTERSECTION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 0 TO 5 MPH, LEFT/ FRONT WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY COLLAPSED. LOCAL DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARM/ BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED AND CAUSED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. FROM BAD DEXCOOL, WITCH CAUSED A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE COOLING SYSTEM AT APPROX. 37000 OR 3 1/2 YR. YET CHEVROLET STATES THE COOLANT IS GOOD FOR 5YR OR 150,000. THE FRONT BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT APPROX. 35,000. JUST OVER THE 3YR WARRANTY WITH NO HELP FROM CHEVY DESPITE NUMEROUS …
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THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. FROM BAD DEXCOOL, WITCH CAUSED A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE COOLING SYSTEM AT APPROX. 37000 OR 3 1/2 YR. YET CHEVROLET STATES THE COOLANT IS GOOD FOR 5YR OR 150,000. THE FRONT BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT APPROX. 35,000. JUST OVER THE 3YR WARRANTY WITH NO HELP FROM CHEVY DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS FAILURE. ALSO HAVE HAD TWO BATTERIES IN THE SYSTEM ONE AFTER ONLY 3000 MILES AND THE SECOND ONE IS NOW OUT AT 38000 MILES. THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM THAT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. THE SHIFT LEVER HANDLE HAS BEEN A CHANGED 3 TIMES AND STILL RATTLE AFTER APPROX. A MONTH OF USE. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR SHAKES TO THE POINT IT IS HARD TO SEE OUT OF WHEN DRIVING. THE HOOD RATTLES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, WHICH CAN BE FIXED BY ADDING A SOLID RUBBER GASKET AT THE TOP OF HOOD TO KEEP THE HINGE STOPS FROM BOUNCING ON THE FRAME. THE FRONT BRAKES HAD TO BE REDONE AT 28,000. *AK
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALL ON THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JG
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING ON FRONT RIGHT TIRE, TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1997, CHEVROLET, BLAZER CONCERNING UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SLC …
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WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING ON FRONT RIGHT TIRE, TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1997, CHEVROLET, BLAZER CONCERNING UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SLC
BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK
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.