← New search

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
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE SAME SAME TIME OIL WAS PUMPING ON THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR, AND LOST ALL OIL. PULLED OVER. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. ENGINE COOLING LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING WHICH CAUSED A HOLE IN THE LINE. DEALER REPLACED COOLING LINE. *AK *…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE SAME SAME TIME OIL WAS PUMPING ON THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR, AND LOST ALL OIL. PULLED OVER. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. ENGINE COOLING LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING WHICH CAUSED A HOLE IN THE LINE. DEALER REPLACED COOLING LINE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #857897

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2000
Service Brakes, AirCrashInjury

THE VECHILE WAS COMING UP TO A STOPLIGHT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER. SHE PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. SHE TRIED AGAIN AND STILL NOTHING. SHE AND MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER CRASHED INTO A SEMITRUCK TRAILER. THE POLICE ESTIMATE HER SPEED AT 28 MPH. THERE ARE NO SKID MARKS. THE BRAKES DID NOT W…

Read full complaint

THE VECHILE WAS COMING UP TO A STOPLIGHT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER. SHE PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. SHE TRIED AGAIN AND STILL NOTHING. SHE AND MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER CRASHED INTO A SEMITRUCK TRAILER. THE POLICE ESTIMATE HER SPEED AT 28 MPH. THERE ARE NO SKID MARKS. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719327

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #857513

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO CUT OFF IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVED FOR MORE THAT 30 MINUTES AND THE A/C IS RUNNING. THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON NOR ARE THERE ANY WARNINGS THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO DIE. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEM BECAUSE COMPUTER ISN'T REGISTERING ANY ISSUES. THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM…

Read full complaint

THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO CUT OFF IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVED FOR MORE THAT 30 MINUTES AND THE A/C IS RUNNING. THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON NOR ARE THERE ANY WARNINGS THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO DIE. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEM BECAUSE COMPUTER ISN'T REGISTERING ANY ISSUES. THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718983

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire

CAR TOWED IN THREE TIMES LAST SUMMER 6/28/ CAR STALLED, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, REPLACED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR,7 /27 REPROGRAMMED PCM, 9/16 BRAKES FAILED REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. WE'VE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE START. CHEVY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THE CAR ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND EVENTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. C…

Read full complaint

CAR TOWED IN THREE TIMES LAST SUMMER 6/28/ CAR STALLED, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, REPLACED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR,7 /27 REPROGRAMMED PCM, 9/16 BRAKES FAILED REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. WE'VE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE START. CHEVY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THE CAR ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND EVENTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED, WE HAVE EXTENDED 8 YEAR WARRANTY. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS, MY DAUGHTER HAD TAKEN THE CAR JUST 1/2 MILE TO THE SHOPPING CENTER AND BACK WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING. THE CAR IS TOTALLED, SHE WAS NOT HURT AND A NEIGHBOR WAS HELPFUL BY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THIS WAS EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #718940

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

ANTI-FREEZE GOES BAD AND LOOKS LIKE MUD. LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO REPAIR SHOPS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718830

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 33 MILES, I HAVE SPENT APP. $2,000 ON IT, ABOVE THE WTY'S AND MAINT. 12/96 - PASSENGER SIDE GOT FLOODED, 9/97 RECALL DONE, SUCKING AIR SOUND ( NOT FOUND BY TECH.),1/98 - COMPLETE MAIT 15K + 4X4 SERVICE($235), 2/98 -F. BRAKES + MACHINED ROTORS ($162), GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING TOOK, REMOVED DASH( BROKE H…

Read full complaint

SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 33 MILES, I HAVE SPENT APP. $2,000 ON IT, ABOVE THE WTY'S AND MAINT. 12/96 - PASSENGER SIDE GOT FLOODED, 9/97 RECALL DONE, SUCKING AIR SOUND ( NOT FOUND BY TECH.),1/98 - COMPLETE MAIT 15K + 4X4 SERVICE($235), 2/98 -F. BRAKES + MACHINED ROTORS ($162), GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING TOOK, REMOVED DASH( BROKE HAZARD LIGHT) REPLACED GAS TANK SENSOR -3 DAYS(RENTAL GIVEN) 1 DAY LATER, FILLED THE TANK AND THE GAS RAN OUT ( A DAY LOST AT WORK), 1/99 - 4X4 SWITCH REPLACED, 7/99 - REPLACED F.BRAKES ,2 BALL JOINTS, NEW ROTORS,2 REAR AXLE SEALS + CLEANED OIL OUT OF REAR BRAKE($540), 9/99 - CAR DOESN'T START ONCE REPLACED BATTERY, SERPENTINE BELT($248), 1/00 - WIPERS WORK OFF+ ON- REPLACED WIPER BOARD, REPLACED STARTER WITH REBUILT + WTY, 2 COOLER LINES($799). NOW WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE SALES PERSON AGREED TO GIVE A RENTAL, A NEW SERVICE MAN STARTS AND SAYS" I'M NEW AND YOU DON'T GET A RENTAL UNLESS IT;S IN OVER NIGHT" JUST TO LET YOU NO I"M A MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND JUST CAN'T MISS WORK AT ANY TIME THE CAR IS IN FOR REPAIRS. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718817

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2000
Power Train

FAILED FIRST AT 38,280 REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER NOT INVOLVED IN 1ST OR 2ND FAILURE/REPAIR. CHEVROLET SAYS THAT 76K ON REPAIRED TRANSMISSION IS REASONABLE -- I DISAGREE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718793

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

MY 1977 BLAZER WOULD NOT TURN OVER THIS MORNING. A CHECK OF THE BATTERY (ORIGINAL) INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY ACID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BATTERY AND HAS CORRODED THE BATTERY HOLDER, THE CAR FRAME AND THE BRAKE LINE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF OTHER VEHICLES FOR LEAKING BATTERY PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM …

Read full complaint

MY 1977 BLAZER WOULD NOT TURN OVER THIS MORNING. A CHECK OF THE BATTERY (ORIGINAL) INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY ACID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BATTERY AND HAS CORRODED THE BATTERY HOLDER, THE CAR FRAME AND THE BRAKE LINE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF OTHER VEHICLES FOR LEAKING BATTERY PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM BATTERIES ARE ALSO IN THE 1977 CHEVROLET BLAZER. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED TO THE FRONT BRAKE LINE. I REPLACED THE BATTERY TODAY... AND HAVE KEPT THE OLD ONE IN CASE THE NHTSA WANTS TO SEE IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #718664

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKES WHICH HAS RESULTED IN TWO COLLISIONS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #856293

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.