IllustrationINTERIOR METAL OF GEAR SHIFT CONNECTING IT TO THE STEERING COLUMN SNAPPED THIS DOES NOT ALLOW FOR SHIFTING TO ANY GEARS INCLUDING PARK. IN TURN, THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND PARKING BRAKE NEEDS USED TO PARK. *JB
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
What owners actually said
768 reportsFAILURE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT RESULTED IN HIGH MAINTENANCE COST FOR REPLACEMENT. *JB
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
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
CAR WOULD NOT START ALL THE TIME A NEW INGNITION SWITCH WAS PUT IN. AT A COST OF 515 DOLLARS
CHEVROLET BLAZER 4X4 1997, CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED WHILE DRIVING. *BF *JB
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO BRAKES , BUT IT BURNED ENOUGH TO STOP IN A PERSON'S YARD JUST OFF THE HIGHWAY. *AK
FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYS INCORRECTLY. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND COMMENCED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT 45 MPH. THE DRIVER ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE UNTIL THE ENGINE STOP ACCELERATION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL THE SPEED DID NOT DECREASE. THE WHEELS STARTED TO SMOKE AS…
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WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND COMMENCED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT 45 MPH. THE DRIVER ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE UNTIL THE ENGINE STOP ACCELERATION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL THE SPEED DID NOT DECREASE. THE WHEELS STARTED TO SMOKE AS THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE CONSUMER THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TRIED TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO NEUTRAL BUT IT WOULDN'T. *SC
CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND NO DEFECTS. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE.*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.