IllustrationTRANSMISSION LOST 3RD AN 4TH GEAR CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE PUMP LEAK. *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 reportsTAILGATE WILL NOT LOCK PROPERLY AND WILL OPEN WHILE TRAVELING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE PART IN QUESTION WAS NOT FASTENED TO THE GLASS, IT WAS HELD IN PLACE BY A THIN RUBBER GASKET THAT GOES AROUND THE GLASS THAT BROKE.…
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TAILGATE WILL NOT LOCK PROPERLY AND WILL OPEN WHILE TRAVELING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE PART IN QUESTION WAS NOT FASTENED TO THE GLASS, IT WAS HELD IN PLACE BY A THIN RUBBER GASKET THAT GOES AROUND THE GLASS THAT BROKE. *SLC
DEALERSHIP HELPED PAY FOR A SMALL PORTION OF REPAIR OF BOTH COMPLAINTS. GMC DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER. ALSO REPLACED MY BRAKE PADS FOR THE 4TH TIME AT 43,000 MILE. THEY ARE PREMATURELY WEARING MORE THAN LIKELY BECAUSE THE CALIPERS ARE LOCKING UP. HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT'S PURCHA…
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DEALERSHIP HELPED PAY FOR A SMALL PORTION OF REPAIR OF BOTH COMPLAINTS. GMC DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER. ALSO REPLACED MY BRAKE PADS FOR THE 4TH TIME AT 43,000 MILE. THEY ARE PREMATURELY WEARING MORE THAN LIKELY BECAUSE THE CALIPERS ARE LOCKING UP. HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT'S PURCHASE.*AK
THE LATCH FOR THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS FASTENED ONLY TO THE RUBBER GASKET AROUD THE WINDOW, NEVER TO THE GLASS AS THERE IS NO RESIDUE AS IF IT EVER HAD BEEN. FINALLY THE RUBBER BROKE AND THE HATCH FLEW OPEN. THE HATCH WILL NO LONGER STAY CLOSED ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SEEN OTHER BLAZERS WITH THE SAME "DEFECT". I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVER…
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THE LATCH FOR THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS FASTENED ONLY TO THE RUBBER GASKET AROUD THE WINDOW, NEVER TO THE GLASS AS THERE IS NO RESIDUE AS IF IT EVER HAD BEEN. FINALLY THE RUBBER BROKE AND THE HATCH FLEW OPEN. THE HATCH WILL NO LONGER STAY CLOSED ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SEEN OTHER BLAZERS WITH THE SAME "DEFECT". I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL BODYSHOPS THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BONDED AT THE FACTORY AND THEY CANNOT FIX THIS.*AK
THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP IN A PARKING LOT. THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED, BUT BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A REASONABLE DISTANCE AND TIME. THIS TRUCK IS SCARY TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. IT DOES NOT WANT TO STOP. HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALL FOR THE ABS SYSTEM ON 1997 BLAZERS? *AK
RAN OUT OF GAS. FUEL GAUGE SHOWED HALF FULL. TOWED TO DEALER, REPLACED TANK SENSOR, COSTED $500. I'M NOT TO HAPPY WITH GM.
THIS SUV DOES NOT STOP THE WAY IT SHOULD. THE ABS IS OVER SENSITIVE. IT ACTIVATES WAY TOO SOON, MAKING THIS VEHICLE HAVE A VERY LONG STOPPING DISTANCE. IN SNOW THIS VERY UN-NERVING, EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEED. HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLES' ABS OR LONG STOPPING HABITS?*AK
RECALL 97V096001; WHILE DRIVING DEFECTIVE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK UP IN A ROLLOVER CRASH IN WHICH DRIVER DIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
ENGINE COOLANT HAD TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER PUT IN RED COOLANT THAT TURNED TO A THICK MUD. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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.