IllustrationWHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING. WHEN THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, INDICATED SEVERAL SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. *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 reportsTHE GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE IN APRIL OF 2001 I HAD AN ALL POINT VEHICLE INSPECTION DONE. WHEN I WENT TO GET MY VEHICLE THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CHEVROLET BLAZER 4WD. I PHONE THE GM HOTLINE & I …
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THE GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE IN APRIL OF 2001 I HAD AN ALL POINT VEHICLE INSPECTION DONE. WHEN I WENT TO GET MY VEHICLE THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CHEVROLET BLAZER 4WD. I PHONE THE GM HOTLINE & I WAS TOLD THE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON A RECENT RECALL THAT I JUST RECEIVED BY E-MAIL FROM AUTOBYTEL. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME TO FIND OUT IF MY VEHICLE IS PART OF A RECALL? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONCERN. LISA COOK. *AK
THE TRANSMISSION HAD A SLIP. THE VALVE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION IS TOO SMALL AND PRESSURE BUILDS UP WHEN IT GETS HOT AND DIRTY. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN AT 35K WITH THE PROBLEM. THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE VALVE, ONLY CLEANED IT. THEN AT 68K, THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO TEAR THE TRANNY APART AND REPLACE THE VALVE. THEY WANTED $1200…
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THE TRANSMISSION HAD A SLIP. THE VALVE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION IS TOO SMALL AND PRESSURE BUILDS UP WHEN IT GETS HOT AND DIRTY. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN AT 35K WITH THE PROBLEM. THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE VALVE, ONLY CLEANED IT. THEN AT 68K, THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO TEAR THE TRANNY APART AND REPLACE THE VALVE. THEY WANTED $1200, I FOUND A TRANNY SPECIALIST WHO FIXED IT FOR $250. HE SAID THE ORIGINAL VAVLE WAS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF BLAZER OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND CHEVY IS MAKING US PAY FOR THEIR PROBLEMS.*AK
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 5MPH WHEEL CAVED INWARDS. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
COOLING SYSTEM WILL REPEATEDLY TURN BLACK, EVEN AFTER CONSUMER HAD RADIATOR FLUSHED. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM COMES BACK EVERY 20000 MILES OR EVERY 6 MONTHS. *SLC
CONSUMER STATES HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, UPON INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE O-RING ON THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING, DEALER REPLACED THE SEALS, FUEL SENDER/PUMP ASSEMBLY (TANK UNIT), ALSO THE SENDING UNIT TO O-RING LEAKING AND THE CLIP BROKE.*YH
WHILE DRIVING IN A STORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNDRIVEABLE. THREE WIRE HARNESSES HAVE MELTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE MELTING MAY HAVE CONTINUED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WORKING THROUGH FUSIBLE LINKS, THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE SES SENSOR, GAS GAUGE, AND POWER STEERING. FUEL PUMP AND MODULE WERE ALSO REPLACED. *SL…
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNDRIVEABLE. THREE WIRE HARNESSES HAVE MELTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE MELTING MAY HAVE CONTINUED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WORKING THROUGH FUSIBLE LINKS, THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE SES SENSOR, GAS GAUGE, AND POWER STEERING. FUEL PUMP AND MODULE WERE ALSO REPLACED. *SLC
DEALERSHIP ORIGINALLY SERVICED AT LOUSY AND UNFINISHED WORK 5 RETURNS FOR SAME THING S&J CHEVROLET. *AK
DEX COLL IS AN ANTIFREEZE THAT WAS PUT INTOVEHICLE. RADIATOR HAD A RED CLAY SUBSTANCE IN IT BECAUSE OF DEX COOL. HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*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.