IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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
What owners actually said
768 reportsINTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE ON BEFORE STOPPING, AND A GRINDING NOISE WOULD COME FROM FRONT WHEELS. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
THIS IS THE SEVENTH FAILURE OF THE BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING. TWICE THE BOOSTERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE CALIPERS, ADJUSTED, REBUILT, AND REPLACED. IT FAILED AGAIN THIS WEEK AND THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK
DRIVER CANNOT TELL WHETHER VEHICLE IS IN OR OUT OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE. TOLD BY CHEVROLET SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT DIFFERENTIAL AND FRONT AXLES WERE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE BUT FRONT WHEELS WERE NOT. 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM USED VERY LITTLE, AND VEHICLE HAS ONLY 60K MILES. MECHANIC MADE COMENTS THAT INDICATE FREQUENT FAILURE OF COMPONENTS IN THIS…
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DRIVER CANNOT TELL WHETHER VEHICLE IS IN OR OUT OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE. TOLD BY CHEVROLET SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT DIFFERENTIAL AND FRONT AXLES WERE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE BUT FRONT WHEELS WERE NOT. 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM USED VERY LITTLE, AND VEHICLE HAS ONLY 60K MILES. MECHANIC MADE COMENTS THAT INDICATE FREQUENT FAILURE OF COMPONENTS IN THIS SYSTEM. CAN CAUSE BRAKE NON FUNCTION ON SLIPPERY SURFACES WITH NO OTHER INDICATION OF A PROBLEM.
SEATBACK COLLAPSED AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 20-25MPH. THERE WAS A RATCHET NOISE, AND SEAT RECLINED, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED.PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION PLEASE.*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
BRAKE LIGHTS AND FOURWAY FLASHERS WENT OUT IN MY 1997 BLAZER.TODAY IN THE NEWSPAPER IN THE AUTO RECALL SECTION I FOUND OUT THAT CHEVROLET IS RECALLING 2000 AND 2001 BLAZERS FOR THE SAME PROBLOM.I HAVE TWO 1998 CHEVY TRUCKS AT WORK,I REPLACED THE 4WAY,TURNSYGNAL SWITCHES THREE TIMES IN EACH TRUCK.I BELIEVE WHEN SOMTHING EFFECTS Y…
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BRAKE LIGHTS AND FOURWAY FLASHERS WENT OUT IN MY 1997 BLAZER.TODAY IN THE NEWSPAPER IN THE AUTO RECALL SECTION I FOUND OUT THAT CHEVROLET IS RECALLING 2000 AND 2001 BLAZERS FOR THE SAME PROBLOM.I HAVE TWO 1998 CHEVY TRUCKS AT WORK,I REPLACED THE 4WAY,TURNSYGNAL SWITCHES THREE TIMES IN EACH TRUCK.I BELIEVE WHEN SOMTHING EFFECTS YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS WITHOUT THE DRIVER AWARE OF THE PROBLOM IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING COULD HEAR A LOT OF NOISE COMING FROM TWO FRONT DOORS. WHEN TO BE CLOSED DOOR NEEDS TO BE PULLED UP, AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT LOCK, UNSECURING DRIVER AND PASSENGER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING COULD HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAD REPLACED TRANSMISSION BEFORE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS PULLING APART FROM THE FRAME OF THE BODY. THE WELDS ARE BROKEN. DEALER WILL NOT FIX, SAYS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER TOLD ME TO TAKE TO BODY SHOP. WORRIED DOOR IS GOING TO POP OFF.
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.