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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 · Feb 2, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN, CAUSING A LOSS OF ALL POWER IN THIS VEHICLE. ALSO, BRAKES WOUDL NOT RESPOND, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER A MONTH. DEALER WAS THEN CONTACTED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855997

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME LOOSE TWICE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED SEVERE STEERING DIFFICULTY. ( THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL BLAZERS AND HE'LL SEE ME AGAIN IN ABOUT 15-25K MILES)TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED EARLY BECAUSE THEY WEAR F…

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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME LOOSE TWICE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED SEVERE STEERING DIFFICULTY. ( THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL BLAZERS AND HE'LL SEE ME AGAIN IN ABOUT 15-25K MILES)TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED EARLY BECAUSE THEY WEAR FAST ON THE FRONT. REPLACED BALL JOINT RECENTLY. VEHICLE MAKES EXCESSIVE NOISES IN FRONT END( INCLUDING ENGINE COMPARTMENT) FOR AGE. VEHICLE HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHACE TO INCLUDE IGNITION REPLACEMENT, FUEL PUMP AND SENSORS REPLACED, FUEL GUAGE GOING WACKY,LIGHTS ALWAYS SEEM DIM( I HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE), VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON TOO MANY OCCASIONS TO LIST AND TOWED ONCE WHILE ON A TRIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BATTERY SEEMS TO DRAIN FO NO APPARENT REASON. SEATS AND BELTS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ABOUT 4 TIMES. I ONLY DETAIL LISTED ITEMS WHICH I KNOW THE EXACT DATES. WHICH HAPPENED. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER RIGHT NOW FOR ELECTRICAL AND THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS NO PROBLEM. MY WIFE AND I ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO WORK WITH GM ON THESE ISSUES, BUT HAVEN'T RECEIVED MUCH HELP. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED WITH THE GM SERVICE AND THE DEALERS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY PERSON, BUT I DON'T BELEIVE I WANT TO OWN ANOTHER PROBLEM. I HAVE HEARD MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 199X BLAZER. THE TWO DEALERS WHICH HAVE WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE THE MOST TRY TO TELL MY WIFE THESE PROBLEMS ARE NORMAL. NO VEHICLE OF THIS AGE SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. I HAD A 20 YEAR OLD CHEVY TRUCK BEFORE THIS BLAZER AND DIDN'T HAVE NEARLY THE PROBLEMS. SORRY, HAD TO VENT A LITTLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718228

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING NORMAL STOPPING ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN WHICH INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE AN ADDITIONAL 15-20 FEET. THIS HAPPENS ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CONDITION CAUSED A REAR END CRASH. THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR ABS PROBLEMS. SEVERAL ADJUSTMENTS AND…

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WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING NORMAL STOPPING ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN WHICH INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE AN ADDITIONAL 15-20 FEET. THIS HAPPENS ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CONDITION CAUSED A REAR END CRASH. THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR ABS PROBLEMS. SEVERAL ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855556

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIP AND LEAK OIL. TRANSMISSION SHOWED NO SIGNS OF PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855294

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
Power Train

LUDDY CHEVROLET DENIES THAT PROBLEMS WITH TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION ARE ENGINEERING DEFECTS. TRANSMISSION FLUID SMELLED BURNED, AND ALSO CONSTANTLY SLIPPED. TRANSFER CASE MADE A NOISE WHEN IN MOTION, WAS A BENT SHAFT AND WORN BEARING. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A HIGHWAY DRIVEN VEHICLE WITH 61500 MILE…

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LUDDY CHEVROLET DENIES THAT PROBLEMS WITH TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION ARE ENGINEERING DEFECTS. TRANSMISSION FLUID SMELLED BURNED, AND ALSO CONSTANTLY SLIPPED. TRANSFER CASE MADE A NOISE WHEN IN MOTION, WAS A BENT SHAFT AND WORN BEARING. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A HIGHWAY DRIVEN VEHICLE WITH 61500 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #717634

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

ON 12/22/99, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. A WOMAN TWO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF US LOST CONTROL, STRUCK THE CONCRETE DIVIDER, FLIPPED OVER & WOUND UP UPSIDE DOWN PERPENDICULAR IN THE ROAD IN OUR LANE(LEFT LANE). OUR BRAKES FAILED IN OUR VEHICLE & AS A RESULT WE STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US WHO WAS APPEARAN…

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ON 12/22/99, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. A WOMAN TWO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF US LOST CONTROL, STRUCK THE CONCRETE DIVIDER, FLIPPED OVER & WOUND UP UPSIDE DOWN PERPENDICULAR IN THE ROAD IN OUR LANE(LEFT LANE). OUR BRAKES FAILED IN OUR VEHICLE & AS A RESULT WE STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US WHO WAS APPEARANTLY PUSHED INTO THE OVERTURNED VEHICLE. OUR VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AS WE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. MY HUSBAND DID NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVISE THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER OF HIS BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN THE OFFICER ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL, HE TOLD MY HUSBAND HE DID NOT WANT TO HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY BECAUSE THE OFFICER INDICATED HE HAD 2 INDEPENDENT WITNESSES. THE OFFICER ADVISED THE WITNESSES STATED THE VAN IN FRONT OF US HAD STOPPED WITH OUT STRIKING THE OVERTURNED VEHICLE, & THEREFORE WE TOO SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. WE SAW THE FIRST VEHICLE LOSE CONTROL & HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO REACT WITH MORE THAN AMPLE DISTANCE TO STOP. HAD OUR BRAKES NOT HAVE FAILED WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP & THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON 1995-1996 CHEV BLAZERS RELATED TO ABS. THOUGH OUR VEHICLE IS A LATER MODEL, I DO BELIEVE OUR CLAIM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE REPORTED THE CLAIM TO GM AS WELL AS OUR INSURANCE CO. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME SO THAT I MAY ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU WITH ANY INFORMATION &/OR ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME & ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #717411

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE TOLLWAY AND APPROXIMATLY 1 MILE BEFORE THE TOLL, I FELT MY CAR ACCELERATING WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I THOUGHT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT IT WASN'T.AS I APPROACHED THE TOLL AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN, I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRA…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE TOLLWAY AND APPROXIMATLY 1 MILE BEFORE THE TOLL, I FELT MY CAR ACCELERATING WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I THOUGHT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT IT WASN'T.AS I APPROACHED THE TOLL AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN, I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT IT OFF. AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK, I WAS TOLD BY THE TOLL AUTHORITY TO TRY TO START THE CAR. WHEN I DID, IT REVVED UP ALL THE WAY INTO THE RED ZONE,8000 RPMS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, MY ENGINE WAS DEEMED RUINED. THE ROD, PISTONS AND BEARINGS WERE SHOT, NOT DUE TO LACK OF MAINTANENCE. THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE THROTTLE. NONE OF THIS SHOULD OF OCCURRED IN A CAR THAT IS STILL SOMEWHAT NEW. PLEASE RESPOND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #717393

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, OWNER HEARS AIR COMING OUT OF VEHICLE. MECHANIC SAYS IT'S THE BRAKE BOOSTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854874

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKES LOCK UP IN SNOWY AND ICY WEATHER AND THE VEHICLE SKIDS. NLM

NHTSA ODI #550339

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES SOFT, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING AND VIBRATION. DELAER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854690

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.