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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.

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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

Visibility complaints

129 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2005
Visibility

1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *MR THE WAS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10120405

107,000 miles · Apr 25, 2005
EquipmentFuel System, GasolinePower Train

I BOUGHT MY RIG UNDER A YEAR AGO AND HAVE BEEN HAVEING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRASMISSION,I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS MANY TIMES BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REGISTER,MY AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK RIGHT,MY BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP A FEW TIMES AND WHEN I TURN A CORNER IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING CRAHING UNDER MY RIG.I HAVE HAD NOTHING DONE YET BECAUSE IT…

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I BOUGHT MY RIG UNDER A YEAR AGO AND HAVE BEEN HAVEING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRASMISSION,I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS MANY TIMES BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REGISTER,MY AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK RIGHT,MY BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP A FEW TIMES AND WHEN I TURN A CORNER IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING CRAHING UNDER MY RIG.I HAVE HAD NOTHING DONE YET BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO COST ME A WHOLE LOT TO HAVE ALL THIS REPLACED.MY STEREO WENT DEAD ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT IT ALSO.I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A GOOD RIG BUT,NOW I AM FINDING OUT DIFFERENT AND I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR AND AM STILL PAYING FOR IT.I HAVE REPLACED THE HEATER CORE IT WENT OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER I GOT IT,THE WINDOW WENT OUT A FEW DAY'S AFTER I GOT IT AND FORD BARELY REPLACED THAT FOR ME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118421

104,000 miles · Mar 23, 2005
Visibility

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DURING A SEVERE RAINSTORM. I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. THEN IT CAME BACK ON AND SUDDENLY FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS 1997, CHEVYROLET, BLAZER 2 DOOR AWD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10114518

90,800 miles · Jan 26, 2005
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE TOO MANY MILES ON THE VEHICLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AT NO COST.*AK RECALL CAMPAIGN: NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10001125. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V159000. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10106929

121,000 miles · Jan 4, 2005
VisibilityFire

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN CONSUMER'S YARD. THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL WHICH ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE YARD FOR A WEEK, THEN MOVED THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FIRE DUE TO SNOW. CONSUMER FELT THAT TH…

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THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN CONSUMER'S YARD. THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL WHICH ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE YARD FOR A WEEK, THEN MOVED THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FIRE DUE TO SNOW. CONSUMER FELT THAT THE FIRE OCCURRED DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH RECALL 03V090000.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10106744

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2004
Visibility

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. I CALLED THE GM HOTLINE AND QUESTIONED INFORMATION ABOUT ANY RECALLS. I DID THIS DUE TO MY PROBLEM AND A RECENT CONVERSATION WITH A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, SHE RECEIVED A LETTER TO TAKE HER VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR.…

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I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. I CALLED THE GM HOTLINE AND QUESTIONED INFORMATION ABOUT ANY RECALLS. I DID THIS DUE TO MY PROBLEM AND A RECENT CONVERSATION WITH A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, SHE RECEIVED A LETTER TO TAKE HER VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. WHEN I CONTACTED CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS OVERSIGHT THEY INDICATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE SINCE THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS. IT WAS OVER THE 70,000 MILES. HOWEVER, IF I HAD RECEIVED THIS LETTER WHEN THEY INDICATE THEY INITIALLY SENT THEM OUT (MAY 2003) MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE INDEED QUALIIFED FOR SERVICE REPAIR. NOW I AM STUCK WITH THE CHARGES TO HAVE THIS REPAIR COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE. IS THERE ANY WAY THAT GM CAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE? THIS IS THE SAME ADDRESS THAT I HAD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND I JUST RECIEVED A NOTICE ABOUT A SEAT BELT RECALL. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM NOR THE FACT THAT DUE TO THEIR NEGLECT TO MAIL THIS LETTER, I HAVE TO PAY MYSELF FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. THE WIPERS HAVE BEEN WORKING INTERMITTANTLY ALMOST SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS OR SO NOW IT SEEMS THAT THEY WORK ON OCCASION. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM FIXED, I JUST HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T RAIN OR THEY WORK WHEN IT DOES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10102953

59,000 miles · Nov 12, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSuspension

BALL JOINT UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING TODAY. SINCE I PURCHASED THIS 1997 BLAZER I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS-THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL,THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THESE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN RECALLED I…

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BALL JOINT UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING TODAY. SINCE I PURCHASED THIS 1997 BLAZER I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS-THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL,THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THESE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN RECALLED I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE USED AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP,WHOM BY THE WAY DID NOT TELL ME OF ANY OF THESE RECALLS. I HAVE HAD VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098740

114,000 miles · Aug 27, 2004
Fuel System, OtherVisibility

97 S10 BLAZER FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO READ CORRECTLY CAUSING RUNNING OUT OFF GAS ON HIGHWAY AND WIPERS FAILING TO WORK BUT ONLY WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO SLAM INTO A SEMI IN A SUDDEN DOWN POUR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10088694

125,000 miles · Jul 26, 2004
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. WHEN TURNED ON A GROANING NOISE WAS AUDIBLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082697

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2004
Visibility

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING. THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WIRING OR SOMETHING BECAUSE THE MOTOR WILL RUN BUT THE WIPERS WON'T MOVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10082458

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.