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 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2003
Suspension
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
64,700 miles · Mar 29, 2003
Air Bags
AIR BAG MODULE DEFECTIVE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10013636
37,700 miles · Mar 26, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION DIP STICK AND TUBE ARE FULL OF RUST . THIS IS A DEFECT THAT WILL CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. I ONLY HAVE 37000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT MY COST BECAUSE GM HAS MADE A MISTAKE! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10011044
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING RADIATOR CONTAMINATION WHICH LEAKED IN THE FRONT SEAT. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10012343
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2003
Power Train
THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WON'T SWITCH FROM 2 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTONS. NOW, THE LIGHTS WON'T WORK EXCEPT FOR THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT. NOTHING HAPPENS AT ALL WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTONS. THE VEHICLE STAYS IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME. I HAD IT CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD THE ENCODER MOTOR AND OR SOLENOID WAS NO GOOD. I WAS ALS…
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THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WON'T SWITCH FROM 2 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTONS. NOW, THE LIGHTS WON'T WORK EXCEPT FOR THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT. NOTHING HAPPENS AT ALL WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTONS. THE VEHICLE STAYS IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME. I HAD IT CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD THE ENCODER MOTOR AND OR SOLENOID WAS NO GOOD. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE MIGHT BE A SILENT RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I PHONED A CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW OF ANY SUCH RECALL! THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO UNDERTAKE. MY VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. BESIDES THE FACT THAT IF I WANTED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT DEPRECIATION ON A TRADE-IN. I DON'T KNOW WHO TO TALK TO, AND FIND OUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS REPAIR AND TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURER LIABLE FOR THE EXPENSE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10010377
91,400 miles · Mar 11, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY AND IT CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO BREAK, I WENT TO THE DEALER WHEN I FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM OF A HARD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN LONG DISTANCES. THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTING FINE AND TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT DOES IT AGAIN. T…
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THE TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY AND IT CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO BREAK, I WENT TO THE DEALER WHEN I FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM OF A HARD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN LONG DISTANCES. THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTING FINE AND TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT DOES IT AGAIN. THIS WAS BACK ON 08/19/02 AND NOW I HAVE A CODE 1870 ON THE COMPUTER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. I FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION IS A 4L60E AND IT IS VERY UNRELIABLE. ALSO I ALREADY HAD TO CHANGE MY WATER PUMP AND ALTERNATOR AND MY GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALSO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010288
71,000 miles · Feb 25, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION TUBE AND DIP STICK WERE RUSTED AND SEDIMENT WAS IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. TRANSMISSION JERKS SWITCHING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. NOTICEABLE SLIPPING BETWEEN SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING 45-55 MPH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10008099
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2003
Suspension
THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO TIGHTEN.*JB
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.
1997 Chevrolet Blazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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