IllustrationI HAD A WRECK HIT A DEER ON MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT BUMPER MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ON ITS MAKE A POPPING SOUND EVER SINCE THAT HAPPEN AND IT SCARES MEY LIGHT STAYS ON.
1998 Chevrolet Blazer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Blazer years
Owner complaints for the 1998 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
100–25K
4425–50K
9350–75K
6775–100K
41100–150K
14150K+
269 reports with mileage · 447 unknown
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.
- Visibility. Review the 256 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
46 crash reports15 fire reports31 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
38 reportsI WAS A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN A 1998 CHEVY BLAZER SUV BELONGING TO MY DAUGHTER,WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IT WAS A BAD CRASH, BUT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED. AFTERWARDS IT WAS A STUNNING REVOLUTION TO FIND THIS OUT ABOUT THE AIRBAGS AND IT HAS LEFT ME WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THINK T…
Read full complaint
I WAS A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN A 1998 CHEVY BLAZER SUV BELONGING TO MY DAUGHTER,WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IT WAS A BAD CRASH, BUT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED. AFTERWARDS IT WAS A STUNNING REVOLUTION TO FIND THIS OUT ABOUT THE AIRBAGS AND IT HAS LEFT ME WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THINK THEY ARE PROTECTED WITH AIRBAGS, WHEN THEY MAY OR MAY NOT WORK ANYWAY. THIS AUTO HAD A PREVIOUS OWNER AND IT SEEMS TO ME THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LETTING THE NEW BUYER KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WORK OR DON'T WORK. THANKS. *JB
1998 CHEVY BLAZER WITH MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS, WHICH CHEVY DENIES. INCLUDING WIPER FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE, COMPLETE CORROSION OF ANYTHING TOUCHED BY DEXCOOL, AND ON AND ON. VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE!!!!! *NM
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY GOING ON AND OFF. THE DEALER HAD SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP, NOW THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS LIT, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, AT 30,000 MILES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR THE EARLY MODEL YEAR. *AK THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WIPER CONTROL MODULE. CONSU…
Read full complaint
THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, AT 30,000 MILES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR THE EARLY MODEL YEAR. *AK THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WIPER CONTROL MODULE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR, WHICH THEY PERFORMED BUT THE AIR BAG IS STILL INOPERATIVE. *BF *NM
THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.…
Read full complaint
THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE COLLISION. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER DROVE INTO A DITCH AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB *MR
1998 BLAZER WENT OUT ROAD INTO 2 DITCHES AND HAD FRONT END DAMAGE AND BOUNCED AROUND . THE FRAME WAS BENT RIGHT WHERE THE RIGHT AIR BAG SENSOR IS LOCATED AND IT DIDN'T GO OFF. FENDER,HOOD,COW,BUMPER,GRILL, MOTOR MOUNT HAD BEEN REPLACED THAT I KNOW OF SO FAR. STILL AT REPAIR SHOP. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE AIR BAGS AND SAFETY…
Read full complaint
1998 BLAZER WENT OUT ROAD INTO 2 DITCHES AND HAD FRONT END DAMAGE AND BOUNCED AROUND . THE FRAME WAS BENT RIGHT WHERE THE RIGHT AIR BAG SENSOR IS LOCATED AND IT DIDN'T GO OFF. FENDER,HOOD,COW,BUMPER,GRILL, MOTOR MOUNT HAD BEEN REPLACED THAT I KNOW OF SO FAR. STILL AT REPAIR SHOP. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE AIR BAGS AND SAFETY. THE 2 PEOPLE THAT WERE IN CAR ARE OKAY, THEY WAERE BRUISED AND SORE.*AK
Official recalls
300V220000 · Exterior Lighting
Aug 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
98V053000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Mar 9, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
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
1RQ02012 · Front Control Arm Ball Joints
Opened Sep 10, 2002 · Closed Mar 7, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
SEE ATTACHED PAGE.
Additional source detail variants (7)
Suspension:front:control Arm
SEE ATTACHED PAGE.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
SEE ATTACHED PAGE.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
SEE ATTACHED PAGE.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm
SEE ATTACHED PAGE.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
SEE ATTACHED PAGE.
Suspension:front
SEE ATTACHED PAGE.
Suspension
SEE ATTACHED PAGE.