IllustrationLEVER TO ADJUST PASSENGER SEAT BROKE OFF, IT WAS LIKE THIS WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2004. I SEE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SEAT LEVERS AS WELL. THIS JUST AFFECTS MY PASSENGER SEAT, AS THE DRIVERS SEAT IS ELECTRONIC. *TR
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
Seats complaints
84 reportsMY POWER SEAT SHORTED OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND SET MY SHORTS ON FIRE, VEHICAL COMPLETLY BURNED TO THE GROUND DESPITE THREE FIRE TRUCKS SHOWING UP IN ABOUT 5 MIN. , REPORTED TO GM , BUT THE SAID SINCE VEHICAL WAS DESTROYED THEY ARE NOT TO BLAME. *TR
1998 CHEVY S10 BLAZER SEAT RECLINER HANDLE TOO WEAK FOR USE NEEDS BETTER PRODUCT. *TR
MY 1998 BLAZER'S DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER BROKE OFF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST SEAT. I AM UNABLE TO ADJUST THE SEAT FOR PROPER DRIVING POSITION. THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEVER BROKE AT 30,000 MILES AND THE PASSENGER SEAT LEVER BROKE ABOUT 40,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UTILIZING VICE GRIPS TO HO…
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MY 1998 BLAZER'S DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER BROKE OFF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST SEAT. I AM UNABLE TO ADJUST THE SEAT FOR PROPER DRIVING POSITION. THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEVER BROKE AT 30,000 MILES AND THE PASSENGER SEAT LEVER BROKE ABOUT 40,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UTILIZING VICE GRIPS TO HOLD THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT IN PLACE. THESE SEATS ARE NO LONGER ADJUSTABLE AND PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. INQUIRIES FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT OWN THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AT SOME POINT THE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTED A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS DEFECT. I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL AND WHY I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY, NUMEROUS CONSUMERS OWNING THE BLAZER ARE FACED WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THE LEVER SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER SINCE IT IS APPARENTLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
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
CONSUMER WAS INJURED BY THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT HANDLE ON THE 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER.*MR THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE INCIDENT WITH THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT HANDLE OCCURRED. *JB
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEVERS ON THE FRONT TWO SEATS BROKE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2001. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE OWNER TO KEEP REPLACING THE LEVERS WITH THE SAME IDENTICAL PART WITH WHAT THEY PROVIDED. AFTERWARDS, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE LEVERS. THEY KE…
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DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEVERS ON THE FRONT TWO SEATS BROKE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2001. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE OWNER TO KEEP REPLACING THE LEVERS WITH THE SAME IDENTICAL PART WITH WHAT THEY PROVIDED. AFTERWARDS, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE LEVERS. THEY KEPT BREAKING. OWNER DECIDED TO GO TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WERE THE LEVERS WERE MADE OUT OF METAL AND WERE LASTING . THEY HAVE NOT BROKEN SINCE THE OWNER CHANGED THE LEVERS TO METAL. CURRENTLY, THE OWNER WAS GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE LEVER ON THE OTHER SEAT WHICH WOULD COST $113.52. THE OWNER STATED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, THAT THEY REPLACE THE LEVER WITH REAL METAL INSTEAD OF FLIMSY METAL, AND THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER. *AK *JB
MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD TO MAKE MAJOR REPAIRS TO OUR 1998 BLAZER. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP ($294.55) IN OCTOBER 2002. THEN, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND GOT WORSE. WE TOOK IT TO AAMCO, WHERE WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT HAD TO BE REBUILT. THIS WAS IN JULY OF 2002. THE TOTAL COST WAS ($2077.37). I INQUIRED THAT SAME M…
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MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD TO MAKE MAJOR REPAIRS TO OUR 1998 BLAZER. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP ($294.55) IN OCTOBER 2002. THEN, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND GOT WORSE. WE TOOK IT TO AAMCO, WHERE WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT HAD TO BE REBUILT. THIS WAS IN JULY OF 2002. THE TOTAL COST WAS ($2077.37). I INQUIRED THAT SAME MONTH AT CHEVROLET ABOUT RECALLS, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NONE. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS MINOR PROBLEMS WITH THE LAME SUV, INCLUDING BROKEN RECLINER HANDLES, STEERING THAT PULLS AND GRINDS, AND A MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (CLICKING SOUNDS FROM UNDER THE GLOVE BOX, THREE BATTERIES REPLACED). I SAW A REPORT LAST WEEK ABOUT THE USE OF DEXCOOL AND ITS POSSIBLE LINK TO PROBLEMS IN GM VEHICLES. ARE THERE ANY REMEDIES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME? *AK
WHILE ADJUSTING THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT THE LATCH SHEARED OFF. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC ASKED CONSUMER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SEAT THE LEVER. BROKE OFF. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE LEVERS BROKE THREE TIMES AFTER THAT, WHICH HAS TOTALED UP TO FIVE TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
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.