IllustrationI WOULD LIKE TO ATTACH THIS TO THE PREVIOUS COMMENT THAT THE FRONT THROTTLE BODY PLATES NEED CONSTANT CLEANING AS WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO ENTER A CORRECTION THAT MY VEHICLE DOES HAVE A ABS BRAKE SYSTEM
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 reportsVEHICLE HAS 92K MILES, BUT ITS 99% HIGHWAY MILES. THE TRANISSION FAILED AS WELL AS THE SENSOR MODULE, GAS GAUGE FAILED, WATER PUMP FAILED, CRACKS IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WINDSHIELD FLUID LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN REAR WASHER WAS ACTIVATED, BAD BATTERY WHICH WAS NEVER REPLACED (TRYING TO SELL ME A NEW ONE ALL THE TIME), CONST…
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VEHICLE HAS 92K MILES, BUT ITS 99% HIGHWAY MILES. THE TRANISSION FAILED AS WELL AS THE SENSOR MODULE, GAS GAUGE FAILED, WATER PUMP FAILED, CRACKS IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WINDSHIELD FLUID LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN REAR WASHER WAS ACTIVATED, BAD BATTERY WHICH WAS NEVER REPLACED (TRYING TO SELL ME A NEW ONE ALL THE TIME), CONSTANT RESURFACING OF FRONT ROTORS DUE TO UNEVEAN WEAR AND A DEFECTIVE GAS GASKET TO THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM. I CAN SUPPLY EXACT MILEAGE AND DATES OF REPAIR. IF I DIDN'T HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN CHEVROLET TO COURT BY NOW FOR A NEW VEHICLE. I DON'T THINK MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL BE A GM.
THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF MY BLAZER STARTING SMOKING WHILE IT WAS IN PARK - WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND POPPED THE HOOD. NO SMOKE IN THE ENGINE-BUT THE DOOR WAS STILL SMOKING. I POPPED OFF THE CONTROL PANEL FOR THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS, ETC. THE CONTROLLER FOR THE MIRRORS WAS SMOLDERING. THEN IT BURST I…
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THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF MY BLAZER STARTING SMOKING WHILE IT WAS IN PARK - WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND POPPED THE HOOD. NO SMOKE IN THE ENGINE-BUT THE DOOR WAS STILL SMOKING. I POPPED OFF THE CONTROL PANEL FOR THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS, ETC. THE CONTROLLER FOR THE MIRRORS WAS SMOLDERING. THEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES. FORTUNATELY, THE HOUSE I WAS AT HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WE PUT OUT THE FLAMES, IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING, SO I PULLED THAT PART OFF FROM ALL OF THE WIRES. THE CAR STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME, WITHOUT ANYMORE SMOKE OR FLAMES. BUT NOW THE PARKING LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF. WE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY.*AK
GAS GAUGE GIVES WRONG READNG WHEN READING HALF OF TANK . VEHICLE TANK WAS ON EMPTY. *AK GAS GUAGE DOES NOT READ FUEL REMAINING BELOW HALF TANK. AS THE RESULT THE DRIVER RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE. SENDING UNIT/ FLEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. *YH
ABS BRAKES GRIND, CAUSING FAILURE. BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR AND WON'T STOP. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUALLY. I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR MISSES OF REAR-END ACCIDENTS. HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIR. WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THE COST TO GET THIS FIXED/RESOLVED HAS PREVENTED MY TAKING THE BLAZER TO A DEALER FOR MANY MON…
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ABS BRAKES GRIND, CAUSING FAILURE. BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR AND WON'T STOP. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUALLY. I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR MISSES OF REAR-END ACCIDENTS. HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIR. WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THE COST TO GET THIS FIXED/RESOLVED HAS PREVENTED MY TAKING THE BLAZER TO A DEALER FOR MANY MONTHS. WILL BE TAKING THE BLAZER TO A DEALER ON MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2000.
CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND SMELL OF GAS WAS SEEPING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. . CONSUMR GOT OUT & NOTICED FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED & THEY'RE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE.*AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND SHE HEARD AN AIR NOISE. ALSO, CONSUMER SAID AT OTHER TIMES BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT GO DOWN AT ALL &THE BLAZER. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS BAD MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER. *YH
WHEN DRIVING RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE AND THE RIGHT WHEEL COMPLETELY COLLAPSED/BROKE IN HALF WHEN DRIVING 40 MPH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE IS HEAVILY RUSTED ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE. FLAKING PAINT IS FALLING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *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.