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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

59 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicWheels

WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR BRAKE PADS AND THE INSTALLER SAID THE DRUMS WERE WORN DOWN TO ALMOST NOTHING. THEY SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT THAT FAST. THE BACK IS FINE JUST THE FRONT. I ALSO WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A 1992 CADILLAC THE ALLOY WHEELS OF OUR FLEETWOOD ARE BAD. WE HAVE PUT MANY DIFFERENT TIRES ON AND THEY ALL GO FLAT BECAUSE…

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WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR BRAKE PADS AND THE INSTALLER SAID THE DRUMS WERE WORN DOWN TO ALMOST NOTHING. THEY SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT THAT FAST. THE BACK IS FINE JUST THE FRONT. I ALSO WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A 1992 CADILLAC THE ALLOY WHEELS OF OUR FLEETWOOD ARE BAD. WE HAVE PUT MANY DIFFERENT TIRES ON AND THEY ALL GO FLAT BECAUSE OF THE ALLOY WHEELS. YOU WILL BE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE TIRES GO FLATE. NOONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE ALLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #744399

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingSeat Belts

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

NHTSA ODI #737188

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

GAS PETAL STICKS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557217

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN HOOD FLEW UP AND DROPPED BACK DOWN. DAY BEFORE HOOD FLEW UP, OWNER COULD NOT GET HOOD TO OPEN. OWNER REPORTED INCIDENT TO CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. *AK A MODULAR RELAY SWITCH FAILED. GROUND WIRE WAS NOT INSTALL. ANOTHER GROUND WIRE WAS NOT INSTALL AT FUEL INJECTOR CAUSING NOT …

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WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN HOOD FLEW UP AND DROPPED BACK DOWN. DAY BEFORE HOOD FLEW UP, OWNER COULD NOT GET HOOD TO OPEN. OWNER REPORTED INCIDENT TO CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. *AK A MODULAR RELAY SWITCH FAILED. GROUND WIRE WAS NOT INSTALL. ANOTHER GROUND WIRE WAS NOT INSTALL AT FUEL INJECTOR CAUSING NOT ENOUGH GAS TO GET INTO INJECTOR. BREAK PEDAL FAILED. BREAKS LOCKED AFTER MAKING SCREENING NOISE. TAPE PLAYER FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #874436

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED WITHOUT PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR REPAIRS. DEALER HAS MADE ELECTRICAL REPAIRS FOR REMEDY, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #869812

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE JERKS UNTIL STOPPED. ROTORS WERE WARPED CHIPPED BADLY DAMAGED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725368

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

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 )

NHTSA ODI #725115

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IINTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENED DURING NORMAL STOPPING. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. VEHICLE OWNED BY MASSAPEQUA WATER DISTRICT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #863676

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

REAR BRAKE ROTORS ARE DETERIORATING. DEALER WANTS TO USE THE SAME MATERIALS THAT'S ALREADY ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER DISAPPROVES & WILL GO TO ANOTHER DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #861580

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE MAKING A STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAK PEDAL VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #856396

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

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

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Suspension:front

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.