IllustrationWHEN AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKES ARE HARD AND THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. CONSUMER HAS TO HOLD HIS FOOT DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND COMES TO A STOP. *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 reportsTHE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT NOTICE AT RANDOM. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY, IT IS RATHER UN-NERVING, AS I MUST GET TO THE SHOULDER TO STOP. ONCE TURNED OFF FOR TEN SECONDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTS AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED... UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. FIRESTONE CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. IT HAS SENCE BEEN…
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THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT NOTICE AT RANDOM. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY, IT IS RATHER UN-NERVING, AS I MUST GET TO THE SHOULDER TO STOP. ONCE TURNED OFF FOR TEN SECONDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTS AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED... UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. FIRESTONE CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. IT HAS SENCE BEEN TO THE TOM JUMPER CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THEY KEEP REPLACING SMALL PARTS, BUT HAVE YET TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY KEEP THE TRUCK ONE TO TWO WEEKS, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNS. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION, BUT HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK. I FEEL LIKE THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
FUEL INJECTORS FAIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED AND CLEANED. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 55 MILES AWAY FROM ME. THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AND INDICATES THE INCORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE INDICATOR FLUCTUATES FROM FULL TO EMPTY AS THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN. MY CASE NUM…
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FUEL INJECTORS FAIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED AND CLEANED. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 55 MILES AWAY FROM ME. THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AND INDICATES THE INCORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE INDICATOR FLUCTUATES FROM FULL TO EMPTY AS THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN. MY CASE NUMBER WITH CHEVROLET IS #990453585.
THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT DUE TO SLOW TRAVELING SPEED IN PARKING LOT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER THAT ADMITS A FAULT IN THE ABS SYSTEM, BUT DOES NOT CLAIM RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE DAMAGE. I AM NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED, BUT BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.
THE HEAD RESTRAINTS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE, AND WHEN REAR ENDED THE CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK INJURIES DUE TO THE LACK OF SUPPORT BY THE NON-ADJUSTABLE HEAD RESTRAINT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HAD BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NO SUMMARY.
BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING WHICH MAY RESULT A CRASH. DLR CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
TRANSMISSION FALURE FOR A CHEVROLET BLAZER 1997--WANT A REFUND FOR REPAIRS
BESIDES THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM GOING OUT OF THIS VEHICLE THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED A BARRING IN THE HEATER AND AIR THING THAT WE NEED FIXED. WHEN WE RUN THE HEAT OR THE AIR THE CAR GETS REALLY LOUD. MY MECHANIC CALLED JOHNY MORRIS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD TONS OF BLAZERS BROUGHT BACK TO BE FIXED BECAUSE OF THE FUEL …
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BESIDES THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM GOING OUT OF THIS VEHICLE THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED A BARRING IN THE HEATER AND AIR THING THAT WE NEED FIXED. WHEN WE RUN THE HEAT OR THE AIR THE CAR GETS REALLY LOUD. MY MECHANIC CALLED JOHNY MORRIS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD TONS OF BLAZERS BROUGHT BACK TO BE FIXED BECAUSE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS, IF THERE IS SO MANY BEING BROUGHT BACK TO BE FIXED WHY DOESN'T CHEVROLET DO A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTORS? ITS NOT LIKE ITS A CHEAP PART TO FIX. I BOUGHT THIS BLAZER AS IS WITH NO WARRANTY BUT YOU WOULDN'T THINK THAT SOMETHING THIS MAJOR WOULD GO WRONG WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YRS OLD.
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.