THE REMOTE AIR FILTER HOSES AND PIPES FAILED. *MJS
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
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
64 reportsFLUSHED RADIATOR SYSTEM AND FOUND IT TO BE CORRODED AND CLOGGED WITH RUST. CURRENTLY, HEATER IS INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.
I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL.HERE ARE MY PROBLEMS.THE RIGHT SIDE LATCH ON THE SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES BY APPLE VALLEY CHEROLET. NOW THE ONE ON THE LEFT HAS BROKEN.THIS IS A TWO DOOR VEHICLE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET IN AND OUT OF BACK SEAT.THIS CAR IS NOT MISTREATED TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN.THREE TIMES IT HA…
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I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL.HERE ARE MY PROBLEMS.THE RIGHT SIDE LATCH ON THE SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES BY APPLE VALLEY CHEROLET. NOW THE ONE ON THE LEFT HAS BROKEN.THIS IS A TWO DOOR VEHICLE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET IN AND OUT OF BACK SEAT.THIS CAR IS NOT MISTREATED TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN.THREE TIMES IT HAS LEFT ME SITTING AND WONT START SOMETIMES YOU CAN TELL WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THE LIGHTS WILL DIM AND THE CHARGING GAGE WILL DROP THEY HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR THIS BUT HAVENT,THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS NOW WILL DELAY FOR ABOUT FIVE TIMES THEN THEY JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHEILD OR KEEP RUNNING AS FAST AS THEY CAN UNTIL YOU TURN THEM OFF AND START OVER,THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM KICKS IN ON ITS OWN AND YOU HAVE TO STOP TO GET IT BACK TO TWO WHEEL DRIVE,NOT THE LIGHT ON THE DASH IT STAYS IN TWO,THE BRAKES ARE SPONGEE AND GO ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR,GM SAID MY BLAZER WASNT IN THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKES BECAUSE OF WHERE IT WAS MADE,THE EXHAUST SMELLS LIKE SEWER I DONT KNOW IF I HAVE AN EXHAUST LEAK OR NOT,WHEN I RECEIVED THIS VEHICLE I ORDERED IT IN DECEMBER OF 97 AND RECEIVED IT IN FEB. OF 98.THE BOLT WAS MISSING OFF OF THE STRUT,THEY REPLACED THAT AND ALLIGNED THE FRONT END AND IT STILL WILL NOT STAY IN ALLIGNMENT,SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT 4,000 MILES AGO WE HAVE REPLACED A BELT TIGHTNER AND A WATER PUMP
GAS PETAL STICKS. *SLC
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLS, THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *CJ
DEX-COOL APPARENTLY CHANGES STATE FROM A SEMI CLEAR ORAGNGE LIQUID TO A MUDDY MURKY CORROSIVE MATERIAL. CHEVROLET HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN 99-06-02-012B...COOLANT IS SUPPOSE TO LAST 150,000 MILES IT WAS FLUSHED 30 DAYS AGO AND IT HAS AGAIN CHANGED TO THE MUDDY CORROSIVE LIQUID...IT ALSO HAS EATEN THROUGH MY RADIATOR CORE. W…
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DEX-COOL APPARENTLY CHANGES STATE FROM A SEMI CLEAR ORAGNGE LIQUID TO A MUDDY MURKY CORROSIVE MATERIAL. CHEVROLET HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN 99-06-02-012B...COOLANT IS SUPPOSE TO LAST 150,000 MILES IT WAS FLUSHED 30 DAYS AGO AND IT HAS AGAIN CHANGED TO THE MUDDY CORROSIVE LIQUID...IT ALSO HAS EATEN THROUGH MY RADIATOR CORE. WHY IF THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS INDICATED BY THEIR ISSUANCE OF A SERVICE BULLETIN WHY DO THEY NOT RECALL AND REPAIR OR REPLACE ENGINES AND OTHER COMPONENTS DAMAGED BY THIS CORROSION.*AK
REPORTING THE PULLEY FAIL WHILE TRAVELING AT HWY SPEED OF 55 MPH; CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. DEALER/ MFR'S NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT PART WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT COVER UNDER A RECALLS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS:
ON 2/9/00, RUCK WAS TAKEN TO JAMES MARTIN CHEVROLET-BUICK DEALERSHIP DUE TO EMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRUCK WAS NOT REPAIRED UNTIL 3/7/00 BECAUSE IT WAS "DIFFICULT" TO DETERMINE WHERE THE EVAPORATION LEAK WAS COMING FROM. LESS THAN 6,000 MILES LATER, ANOTHER EMISSION PROBLEM HAPPENED ON JULY 29TH. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY…
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ON 2/9/00, RUCK WAS TAKEN TO JAMES MARTIN CHEVROLET-BUICK DEALERSHIP DUE TO EMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRUCK WAS NOT REPAIRED UNTIL 3/7/00 BECAUSE IT WAS "DIFFICULT" TO DETERMINE WHERE THE EVAPORATION LEAK WAS COMING FROM. LESS THAN 6,000 MILES LATER, ANOTHER EMISSION PROBLEM HAPPENED ON JULY 29TH. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL GAS FUMES. IT BROUGHT ME TO THE POINT OF CHOCKING AND I HAD TO GET OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND GET OUT OF THE TRUCK TO BREATHE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED ON 7/31/00, HOWEVER, I STILL FEEL THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ON THE CHEVY BLAZER 1998 EDITION. THE BOTTON OF MY INVOICE STATES THAT FURTHER DIAGNOSIS WILL BE DONE ONCE THE DRIVER NOTICES ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE EACH TIME, THE EMISSION PROBLEMS IS BECOMING WORSE THAN THE LAST ONE. *AK
SECOND SET TIRES WORN OUT AT 39000 MILES DUE TO UNIDENTIFIED FRT SUS.PROBLEM.DUE TO UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF DEALER VERIFIED CONCERNS AND PAST TITLE HISTORY,EVEN THOUGH MOST OCCURED BEFORE FACTORY W/ADDED GMPP ALL ATTEMTS TO HAVE LOCAL GM DEALERS REPAIR ANY OF THE PROBLEMS ACKNOWLAGED, HAVE BEEN REFUSED AT PRESANT TIME CAR SITS IN M…
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SECOND SET TIRES WORN OUT AT 39000 MILES DUE TO UNIDENTIFIED FRT SUS.PROBLEM.DUE TO UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF DEALER VERIFIED CONCERNS AND PAST TITLE HISTORY,EVEN THOUGH MOST OCCURED BEFORE FACTORY W/ADDED GMPP ALL ATTEMTS TO HAVE LOCAL GM DEALERS REPAIR ANY OF THE PROBLEMS ACKNOWLAGED, HAVE BEEN REFUSED AT PRESANT TIME CAR SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WE ARE USING A RENTAL PAID FOR BY ME. THE DEALERS,AND FACTORY HAVE PASSIFIED ME THROUGH 3/36 COVERAGE AND MADE ME THINK SOME CONSERNS WERE NOT VALID,BECAUSE I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE VEHC.ALL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN DUPLICATED AND VARIFIED,DOCUMENTED BY MANY GM TECHS. AS WELL AS PASSENGERS,PRIVATE SHOPS AND THE SAME DEALER WHO QUESTENED CONCERNS.MY JOB,MARRAGE,AND DAILY LIFE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AND SAFTEY WAS AND IS DISREGAURDED BY WHAT I ONCE CONSIDERED THE GREATEST AUTO MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD,THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS THAT EXIST TO DATE AND WERE RECORDED BEFORE 3/36 *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/70R15 )
OIL PUMP FAILED CAUSING THE OIL PRESSURE TO BE ERRATIC. NLM
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
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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
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Suspension:front
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Suspension
SEE ATTACHED PAGE.
Illustration