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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 26, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY BROTHER HAD A FRONT END COLLISION AND ROLLOVER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10151245

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2006
Visibility

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 CHEVY S-10 BLAZER. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK SPORADICALLY, AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND ON DIFFERENT INTERNET FORUMS THAT OTHERS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THIS TOO. I THEN DID A RECALL SEARCH AND FOUND NOTHING UNDER 1997 CHEVY BLAZER, …

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 CHEVY S-10 BLAZER. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK SPORADICALLY, AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND ON DIFFERENT INTERNET FORUMS THAT OTHERS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THIS TOO. I THEN DID A RECALL SEARCH AND FOUND NOTHING UNDER 1997 CHEVY BLAZER, HOWEVER, UNDER 1997 CHEVY S-10 (MY BLAZER IS THE S-10 MODEL) A RECALL PERTAINING TO EXACTLY WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000). I THEN PROCEEDED TO CONTACT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER, AND WITH NO AVAIL, WAS TOLD THAT MY PARTICULAR MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. SO I THEN CONTACTED CHEVROLET DIRECTLY, AND AGAIN WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS PARTICULAR RECALL. IN THE RECALL SUMMARY, IT STATES "ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES." I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS MATTER TAKEN CARE OF WITHOUT ANY FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MY PART. OBVIOUSLY I AM EXPERIENCING EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL STATES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149556

174,000 miles · Dec 29, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

DT: THE CONTACT SET THE CRUISE CONTROL WHILE GOING UP A HILL AND VEHICLE SPED UP .WHILE GOING DOWN THE HILL THE VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING FASTER. THE RPMS WERE ABOVE 4000. HE PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. THIS SLOWED THE VEHICLE A LITTLE. HE MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE GOT OUT OF TH…

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DT: THE CONTACT SET THE CRUISE CONTROL WHILE GOING UP A HILL AND VEHICLE SPED UP .WHILE GOING DOWN THE HILL THE VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING FASTER. THE RPMS WERE ABOVE 4000. HE PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. THIS SLOWED THE VEHICLE A LITTLE. HE MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECKED THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. IT WAS STUCK. HE WORKED WITH THE THROTTLE AND FINALLY MANAGED TO GET IT RELEASED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146392

77,000 miles · Dec 21, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH ON A WET ROADWAY I APPROACHED A VEHICLE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. AT AROUND 6 CAR LENGTHS I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, RESULTING IN A REAR END CRASH WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AS IF THE ABS BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING. THE B…

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WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH ON A WET ROADWAY I APPROACHED A VEHICLE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. AT AROUND 6 CAR LENGTHS I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, RESULTING IN A REAR END CRASH WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AS IF THE ABS BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING. THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO PROVIDE MUCH STOPPING POWER. THE SPEED AT THE TIME OF COLLISION WAS ABOUT 15 MPH, SLOWED FROM 25. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10145777

69,139 miles · Dec 8, 2005
Electrical System

BACK IN 8/04 TOOK CAR TO DEALER BECAUSE BLAZER WOULDN'T START ALL THE TIME,NO IDIOT LIGHTS,JUST CRANK. DEALER INSTALLED STARTER RELAY SWITCH AND ADVISE TO GET NEW KEY, NOT REAL FIX,MAYBE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACE, MAYBE KEY WILL HELP. PROBLEMS CONTINUES IMMEDIATELY, TRY NEW KEY, PROBLEMS THE SAME BUT IN 11/05 IT IS H…

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BACK IN 8/04 TOOK CAR TO DEALER BECAUSE BLAZER WOULDN'T START ALL THE TIME,NO IDIOT LIGHTS,JUST CRANK. DEALER INSTALLED STARTER RELAY SWITCH AND ADVISE TO GET NEW KEY, NOT REAL FIX,MAYBE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACE, MAYBE KEY WILL HELP. PROBLEMS CONTINUES IMMEDIATELY, TRY NEW KEY, PROBLEMS THE SAME BUT IN 11/05 IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT THEN ON 12/02/05 WON'T START AT ALL. TOW TO DEALER, TELLS ME I NEED NEW IGNITION SWITCH,TELL OK DO IT. NEXT DAY I GO TO PICK UP AND CAR NOT READY,DIFFERENT PROBLEM, WE FOUND WIRING HARNESS MELTED. WIRING HARNESS IS FOR WIPERS AND IGNITION. BACK IN 02/04 HAD WIPER BOARD REPLACE BECAUSE OF SHORT. BOARD WAS REPLACED BECAUSE I GOT A LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS STATING BAD WIPER BOARD,SAFETY ISSUE,REPLACE FOR FREE. SO DEALER HAS CHARGED ME FOR A STARTER RELAY AND WIRING HARNESS WHEN I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WIPER BOARD ISSUE THAT GM ADMITS TO. DEALER HAS CHARGED OVER $600.00 AND I DON'T KNOW IF CAR WILL BURN IN FUTURE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144775

110,000 miles · Dec 6, 2005
Tires

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE AND THE SPARE TIRE CAME LOOSE. THE TIRE WAS ATTACHED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE CABLE HE NOTICED THAT IT CORRODED, AND COULD NOT HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE TIRE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10144577

12,000 miles · Dec 5, 2005
Visibility

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY, THEY WOULD OPERATE ON HIGH WHEN THE INDICATOR SAID LOW, AND THEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MORE INCIDENCES SINCE THE REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10144465

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2005
Visibility

GM WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL FOR MY 97 BLAZER WINDSHEILD WIPERS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK RECALL NUMBER 03V159000. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144042

112,698 miles · Nov 18, 2005
Electrical System

I HAVE A 97 BLAZER 4X4 WITH A LITTLE OVER 113K MILES. I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VOLTAGE (I THINK) FOR A WHILE NOW. THE VOLTAGE METER SWINGS FROM JUST ABOVE 9V TO OVER 14V WHEN I STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I'M CONVINCED THE GAUGE IS NOT TO BLAME BECAUSE WHEN I PUT A LOAD ON IT, IT INDICATES 9V TO 10.5V, THE DASH LIGHT…

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I HAVE A 97 BLAZER 4X4 WITH A LITTLE OVER 113K MILES. I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VOLTAGE (I THINK) FOR A WHILE NOW. THE VOLTAGE METER SWINGS FROM JUST ABOVE 9V TO OVER 14V WHEN I STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I'M CONVINCED THE GAUGE IS NOT TO BLAME BECAUSE WHEN I PUT A LOAD ON IT, IT INDICATES 9V TO 10.5V, THE DASH LIGHTS DIM, THE HEADLIGHTS WIL ALSO DIM. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED (3) ALTENATORS AND THE BATTERY TWICE WHICH IN 4 MONTHS AND EVERYTHING IS STILL THE SAME. THE GAUGE WILL READ JUST ABOVE 14V WHEN I'M AM DRIVING THE TRUCK WITH NO PROBLEM BUT THE MINUTE I STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VOLTAGE GAUGE DROPS DOWN TO 9V OR 10.5V DEPENDING ON WHAT ACCESSORIES AM RUNNNING ON MY TRUCK. TEMPERATURE AND FREQUENCY BETWEEN TRIPS SEEMS TO NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE EITHER. THE ONLY THING I HAVE DONE TO THE TRUCK EVEN REMOTELY CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS TO SWAP THE RADIO, BUT I USED A WIRE HARNESS TO CONNECT THE WIRING. I'VE CHECKED AND WILL RECHECK TONIGHT FOR LOOSE WIRES OR BAD GROUNDS, BUT OTHER THAN THAT I'M LOST. ANY HELP? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143087

125,000 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Visibility

WIPER MOTOR FAILURE GM HAS RECALL 03V159000 BUT SAYS I AM NOT COVERED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10141988

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.