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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.

About this comparison →

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
175,000 miles · May 17, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire

ABS WIRE CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER AFTER TURNING IT OFF. AND CAUGHT ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR ON FIRE. LUCKILY I COULD CATCH IT BEFORE IT BURNED THE TRUCK UP. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330936

130,000 miles · Apr 1, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

AFTER ONLY 70,000 MILES I HAD TO GET A NEW ENGINE. IT ALSO NEVER WANTED TO START WHEN IT WAS COLD AND WET OUT. THEN JUST YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME IN THROUGH THE HEAT VENTS. THE ELECTRIC WIRES CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR NEAR FIREWALL. WENT UP IN A MATTER OF SECONDS.…

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AFTER ONLY 70,000 MILES I HAD TO GET A NEW ENGINE. IT ALSO NEVER WANTED TO START WHEN IT WAS COLD AND WET OUT. THEN JUST YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME IN THROUGH THE HEAT VENTS. THE ELECTRIC WIRES CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR NEAR FIREWALL. WENT UP IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. DESTROYED THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10323411

104,000 miles · Dec 7, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PURCHASED THIS PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED VEHICLE FROM DEALER JUNE 2009, FIRST SNOW FALL FOUND THAT THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKS UP WHEN GOING OVER ANY SLIPPERY SERVICE. PEDAL IS HARD TO COMPRESS DURING INCIDENT AND RESISTS PRESSURE, AND MAKES GROWLING SOUND. OUTSIDE OBSERVER NOTES THAT FRONT WHEEL ACTUALLY LOCKS UP AND SOON NOT TURN DURING OCC…

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PURCHASED THIS PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED VEHICLE FROM DEALER JUNE 2009, FIRST SNOW FALL FOUND THAT THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKS UP WHEN GOING OVER ANY SLIPPERY SERVICE. PEDAL IS HARD TO COMPRESS DURING INCIDENT AND RESISTS PRESSURE, AND MAKES GROWLING SOUND. OUTSIDE OBSERVER NOTES THAT FRONT WHEEL ACTUALLY LOCKS UP AND SOON NOT TURN DURING OCCURRENCE. WILL BE SERVICED BY DEALER ON FOLLOWING FRIDAY, SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS PURCHASED WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED. WILL RETURN WITH MORE INFORMATION AFTER. AND WILL ALSO REPORT IF DEALER HONORS WARRANTY IN THIS SITUATION. COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT AND SLIDING IF NOT SKILLED IN HANDLING VEHICLE AND EVEN IF YOU ARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294766

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2009
Electrical SystemInjury

POWER ACCESSORY CIRCUIT BREAKER BECOMES HOT, AND THEN POWER SEATS, DOOR LOCKS, MIRRORS AND KEYLESS ENTRY DO NOT WORK. THIS EXISTED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2008. I TRIED REPLACING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. ALSO, THE POWER MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED AND WAS REMOVED, SO THIS MAY NOT BE THE SAME ISSUE AS TH…

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POWER ACCESSORY CIRCUIT BREAKER BECOMES HOT, AND THEN POWER SEATS, DOOR LOCKS, MIRRORS AND KEYLESS ENTRY DO NOT WORK. THIS EXISTED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2008. I TRIED REPLACING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. ALSO, THE POWER MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED AND WAS REMOVED, SO THIS MAY NOT BE THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL ON THE MIRRORS = TO INSTALL FUSED JUMPER HARNESS.) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266746

170,200 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Visibility

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK ALL THE TIME. THE LAST 10 TIMES THAT I TRIED TO TURN THEM ON, THEY DIDN'T 5 OF THOSE TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST MONTH. LAST NIGHT I HAD TO PULL INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE ON THE HIGHWAY ACROSS 3 LANES IN A DOWNPOUR, BECAUSE THE WIPERS JUST STOPPED OPERATING. I WAS ALMOST…

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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK ALL THE TIME. THE LAST 10 TIMES THAT I TRIED TO TURN THEM ON, THEY DIDN'T 5 OF THOSE TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST MONTH. LAST NIGHT I HAD TO PULL INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE ON THE HIGHWAY ACROSS 3 LANES IN A DOWNPOUR, BECAUSE THE WIPERS JUST STOPPED OPERATING. I WAS ALMOST HIT BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266244

99,000 miles · Apr 9, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL DRIFT IN THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL DRIFT IN THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I018000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $644.49 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,291.

NHTSA ODI #10264857

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsSuspension

I HAVE OCCURYING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER WHICH INCLUDE THE BACK SEAT SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY,SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND BUSHINGS, CORROSION OF INTAKE GASKETS DUE TO DEXCOOL REQUIRED COOLANT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259550

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2008
EquipmentVisibility

I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. A FEW YEARS BACK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM ON A HIGH TRAFFIC EXPRESSWAY. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY DUE TO THE WIPERS STOPPING. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AT A DEALERSHIP. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER…

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I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. A FEW YEARS BACK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM ON A HIGH TRAFFIC EXPRESSWAY. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY DUE TO THE WIPERS STOPPING. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AT A DEALERSHIP. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2008, I WAS DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM AND ONCE AGAIN THE WIPERS FAILED. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY GAVE ME A SERVICE REQUEST CLAIM NO. AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR CHARGES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HAZARDOUS PROBLEM TO MYSELF, PASSENGERS, OTHER MOTORISTS, AND PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS THE 2ND INCIDENT. I CHECKED FOR RE-CALLS ON THIS AND THERE ARE NONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251980

120,000 miles · Oct 15, 2008
Electrical System

THIS 1997 BLAZER HAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHEN IT WARMS UP IT LOOSES POWER AND SPUDDERS. WILL NOT EXCEED 35 MILES PER HOUR AND THEN WONT RUN AT ALL. WE HAVE CHANGED O2 SENSORS MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ITS WORST WHEN IN GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245504

175,000 miles · May 30, 2008
Electrical System

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW SECONDS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT ALL SPEEDS, ANY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN IT HAPPENS, MAKING THE CAUSE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND/OR DANGEROUS WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY, CROSSING AN INTERSECT…

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ENGINE SHUTS DOWN INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW SECONDS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT ALL SPEEDS, ANY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN IT HAPPENS, MAKING THE CAUSE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND/OR DANGEROUS WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY, CROSSING AN INTERSECTION OR A SET OF R TRACKS. ALMOST HAD ACCIDENTS SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAUSE WAS NOT IDENTIFIABLE UNTIL OTHER SYMPTOMS ALSO HAPPENED. THE CAUSE WAS EVENTUALLY IDENTIFIED AS BURNED CONTACTS IN THE KEY SWITCH. REPLACING THE KEY SWITCH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229339

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.