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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

64 reports
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400 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH DUE TO THE BODY OF THE STRIKE PLATE ON DRIVER'S SIDE CAVING IN. *AK THERE WAS A CRACK AROUND THE STICKER PLATE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER SIDE STICKER PLATE. THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME AFTER ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE. TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR RATTLING O…

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FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH DUE TO THE BODY OF THE STRIKE PLATE ON DRIVER'S SIDE CAVING IN. *AK THERE WAS A CRACK AROUND THE STICKER PLATE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER SIDE STICKER PLATE. THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME AFTER ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE. TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR RATTLING ON THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE ENCODER MOTOR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AFTER THE MODULE SHORTED, THE STABILIZER LINK NUTS WERE MISSING, THE LEFT DOOR WOULD RATTLE WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, WHEN BRAKING, A SQUEALING NOISE WAS HEARD, THERE WAS A HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CHANGING THE REVERSE, THE "TRIP METER" WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WAS A RATTLE IN THE DASH WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK, THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD OPEN BY ITSELF, AND THE TAIL GATE RATTLED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10072019

93,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

MY WIFE WAS IN DANGER DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN SHE BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER ROUTE (ANOTHER SHOP), WHICH WAS HUTCHENS CHEVROLET. THEY TOLD MY WIFE AND GAVE HER THE PAPER WORK STATING THAT, THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE AND SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER IF CONTINUED DRIVING IT. WHEN HE WAS TOLD OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS, (THE CAR DEALERSHIP OWNER)…

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MY WIFE WAS IN DANGER DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN SHE BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER ROUTE (ANOTHER SHOP), WHICH WAS HUTCHENS CHEVROLET. THEY TOLD MY WIFE AND GAVE HER THE PAPER WORK STATING THAT, THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE AND SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER IF CONTINUED DRIVING IT. WHEN HE WAS TOLD OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS, (THE CAR DEALERSHIP OWNER) HE INSTRUCTED MY WIFE TO TAKE IT TO HIS OWN AUTO REPAIR SHOP, WHEN MY WIFE GOT THE TRUCK BACK, IT WAS IN THE SAME STATE NOT EVERYTHING WAS FIXED. THE WORK WAS COMPLETED AT HUTCHENS. THE WORK HAD TO HAVE COST ABOUT $378.00. AND THERE ARE MORE TROUBLES WITH THE TRUCK, I SEE SIGNS OF RUST AND CORROSION, THERE ARE VIBRATIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCESS OF 60 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10071173

68,505 miles · Nov 9, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER HAS HAD REGULAR PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM NOT PROVIDING HEAT TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AT PROPER TEMP. THE HEATER CORE IS CONTINUALLY CLOGGING UP REQUIRING REGULAR TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO "FLUSH" THE HEATER CORE THAT IS PLUGGED. I UNDERSTAND FROM SEARCHING THE I…

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MY 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER HAS HAD REGULAR PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM NOT PROVIDING HEAT TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AT PROPER TEMP. THE HEATER CORE IS CONTINUALLY CLOGGING UP REQUIRING REGULAR TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO "FLUSH" THE HEATER CORE THAT IS PLUGGED. I UNDERSTAND FROM SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS IS DUE TO THE DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE THAT GM PUTS IN THE CAR AND THAT THERE ARE LAWSUITS AGAINST GM REGARDING THIS. THE LAST TIME I HAD THIS DONE THE DEALER TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN THAT A NEW CORE WOULD HAVE TO BE INSTALLED AT A COST OF $650+. THE CORE IS NOW PLUGGED ONCE AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10045795

88,736 miles · Nov 7, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

LOUD SOUND DURING ACCELERATION (CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOT AGAIN NOT REPLACED, CONTACTING GM, NO ASSISTANCE), OIL LEAK ON FRONT OF ENGINE (POWER STEERING PULLY SHAFT SEAL), NOISY AC COMPRESSOR(REPLACE), FLUID LEAK ON FRONT OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL (REPLACE YOKE AND SEAL [2ND SEAL]), REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUNKS ON ACCELERATION (CHANGE CAS…

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LOUD SOUND DURING ACCELERATION (CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOT AGAIN NOT REPLACED, CONTACTING GM, NO ASSISTANCE), OIL LEAK ON FRONT OF ENGINE (POWER STEERING PULLY SHAFT SEAL), NOISY AC COMPRESSOR(REPLACE), FLUID LEAK ON FRONT OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL (REPLACE YOKE AND SEAL [2ND SEAL]), REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUNKS ON ACCELERATION (CHANGE CASE AND SHAFT BEARING), DASH GRILL CRACKED, IDELER ARM REPLACED AGAIN. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045691

72,455 miles · Nov 7, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingSuspension

WIPERS DO NOT WORK AT TIMES, TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NOT WORKING, ENGINE IDLES ROUGH, LOUD SOUND DURING ACCELERATION, FRONT END LOOSE. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045688

68,442 miles · Oct 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON 9/16/02 WE HAD GURGLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH OF CAR IN THE HEATER CORE AREA. LUCAS CHEVROLET TECH REPLACED RADIATOR CAP UNDER WARRANTY. BUT CHARGED US $56.95 FOR COOLANT AND ADDITIVE. ON 10/09/03 HAD NO HEAT COMING FROM THE HEATER CORE. I CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT TANK OVERFLOW AND FOUND A MINERAL SLUDGE TYPE SUB…

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ON 9/16/02 WE HAD GURGLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH OF CAR IN THE HEATER CORE AREA. LUCAS CHEVROLET TECH REPLACED RADIATOR CAP UNDER WARRANTY. BUT CHARGED US $56.95 FOR COOLANT AND ADDITIVE. ON 10/09/03 HAD NO HEAT COMING FROM THE HEATER CORE. I CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT TANK OVERFLOW AND FOUND A MINERAL SLUDGE TYPE SUBSTANCE. ALSO FOUND A BULLETIN ON THE COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM, TOOK BLAZER INTO LUCAS CHEVROLET. ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER LORRIE COTTRELL SHE SAID WE WERE OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON TIME BUT NOT MILES AND SAID WE SHOULD CONTACT GM ON THIS COOLANT PROBLEM ISSUE. SHE IS NOT AWARE OF ANY BULLETIN ON THE COOLANT SYSTEM. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041643

35,000 miles · Aug 7, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentParking Brake

THE SEAT BACK, TRANSFER CASE, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ALL FAILED. *AK *CB THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ADJUSTED, THE AIR CONDITION BLEW WARM AIR, AND THE OIL COOLER LINES WERE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10021871

95,000 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE OIL COOLING LINE LEAKED FLUID. *JB PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011367

52,075 miles · Jun 16, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO HEAT AT 50,000 MILES --VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED BY INDEPENDENT GARAGE 12-31-02. DEX-COOL RENEWED AT THIS TIME. COST $160.00. IN APRIL 2003 NO HEAT AGAIN. I DRAINED DEX-COOL AND USED SYSTEM CLEANER TWICE FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS EACH TIME WITH HEATER ON. I FILLED SYSTEM WITH REGULAR PRESTONE GLYCOL BASED ANTIFREEZE. …

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NO HEAT AT 50,000 MILES --VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED BY INDEPENDENT GARAGE 12-31-02. DEX-COOL RENEWED AT THIS TIME. COST $160.00. IN APRIL 2003 NO HEAT AGAIN. I DRAINED DEX-COOL AND USED SYSTEM CLEANER TWICE FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS EACH TIME WITH HEATER ON. I FILLED SYSTEM WITH REGULAR PRESTONE GLYCOL BASED ANTIFREEZE. NO PROBLEMS TO DATE. THE ORIGINAL DEX-COOL WAS A MUDDY SLUDGE WHEN REPLACED AND THE SECOND CHARGE OF DEX-COOL WAS ALREADY CHANGING COLORS AND THICKENING AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS WHEN IT TOO WAS REPLACED. DEX-COOL DOES NOT LIVE UP TO THE MANUFACTURERS CLAIMS OR THE DEALERS REPRESENTATIONS. I AM A FEDERALLY LICENSED AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN WORKING FOR A MAJOR AIRLINE FOR 14 YEARS AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO GIVE A DEPOSITION IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023147

39,000 miles · Mar 4, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO HEAT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10008369

Official recalls

3

00V220000 · 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

1

RQ02012 · 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

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Additional source detail variants (7)

Suspension:front:control Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

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Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

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Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm

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Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

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Suspension:front

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Suspension

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