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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.

About this comparison →

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 · Dec 21, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

ENTERING HIGHWAY AND GETTING PREPARED TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER LANE, ANOTHER TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER PULLED IN FRONT OF THE CAR AHEAD OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. HE HIT THE BRAKES AND SO DID THE CONSUMER, BUT BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ON HER WAY TO THE COBBS CHEVROLET BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #853105

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHILE GOING AROUND A TURN AT 13 MPH REAR TIRES LOST TRACTION. ABS KICKED IN, BUT DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE HIT A CURB AND FLIPPED OVER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #849218

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHENEVER THE ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE, WOULD MAKE ROUG/ GRINDING NOISE & THEN WOULD LOSE POWER. THE NOISE IS INTERMITTENT, BUT CONTINUOUS. THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP SOMETIMES. HAVE NO BRAKING ABILITY. BEEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #848181

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 1999
EquipmentParking BrakeSeats

CONSUMER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS NOISE WITH BRAKE SYSTEM, SEVERAL REPAIRS OF PAD AND ROTORS REPOSITIONING OF THE BRAKE CABLES HAVE NOT CORRECTED PROBLEMS. YH

NHTSA ODI #547717

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 1999
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED A NOISE WAS HEARD. DEALER CONTACTED,AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, EMERGENCY BRAKE RUSTED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, REPAIRWORK NOT DONE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #842906

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTILOCKING BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES. THE ABS LIGHT HAS BURNED FOR AT LEAST HALF OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS CAUSING THE ABS LIGHT TO STAY ON. TWO WEEKS B…

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WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTILOCKING BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES. THE ABS LIGHT HAS BURNED FOR AT LEAST HALF OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS CAUSING THE ABS LIGHT TO STAY ON. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRAKE MODULE. THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND SENT THE VEHICLE INTO A SPIN IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A THREE LANE HIGHWAY. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 11:30 AM ON A DRY HIGHWAY, AND LUCKILY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE CLOSE. WE CONTACTED CHEVROLET WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #708638

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED. *ET

NHTSA ODI #782491

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT AT 35-40 MPH, VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, BRAKES APPLIED, WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, CRUISE CONTROL WENT ON BY ITSELF. DRIVER TURNED IT OFF AND APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN, FOOT APPLIED TO GAS, NOTHING HAPPENED, DROVE FOR ONE MILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, APPROACHED TURN LANE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, TURNED WHEEL, VEH…

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WHILE DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT AT 35-40 MPH, VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, BRAKES APPLIED, WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, CRUISE CONTROL WENT ON BY ITSELF. DRIVER TURNED IT OFF AND APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN, FOOT APPLIED TO GAS, NOTHING HAPPENED, DROVE FOR ONE MILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, APPROACHED TURN LANE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, TURNED WHEEL, VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. WHEN APPROACHING LEFT TURN LANE, TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES MORE FIRMLY. THE RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE LIFTED UP OVER THE CURB AND TOOK VEHICLE INTO SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC. UPON APPROACHING A 4-LANE HIGHWAY, TURNED WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, AND VEHICLE WENT OVE RGRASSIE MEDIUM. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN, BUT VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T STOP. DRIVE RPUSHE DDOOR OPEN, RELEASED SEAT BELT AND PUSHED HERSELF OUT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. DRIVER SUSTAINE DINJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834498

Mileage unknown · May 28, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE DUE TO FAILURE OF ABS BRAKES. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #838592

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT INTO RESUME AND FAILED TO LET ME SLOW DOWN OR STOP VEHICLE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES, AND I ALSO APPLIED THE GAS, WHILE HOLDING BOTH FEET OVER THE BRAKES, VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE IN THAT POSITION FOR ABOUT ONE MILE, TRYING TO GET IT TO ST…

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT INTO RESUME AND FAILED TO LET ME SLOW DOWN OR STOP VEHICLE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES, AND I ALSO APPLIED THE GAS, WHILE HOLDING BOTH FEET OVER THE BRAKES, VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE IN THAT POSITION FOR ABOUT ONE MILE, TRYING TO GET IT TO STOP. WHEN I APPROACHED MY TURNING INTERSECTION AND APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE RIGHT TIRE LIFTED OVER THE CURB, AND TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE PATH OF THE SOUTHBOUND ONGOING TRAFFIC. I THEN TURNED MY WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID RUNNING INTO THE TRAFFIC, AND THE VECHICLE WENT OVER THE GRASSIE MEDIUM. I THEN APPLIED MY BRAKES AGAIN, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. AT THAT TIME I REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WASN'T GOING TO STOP. I THEN RELEASED MY SEAT BELT, PUSHED THE DOOR OPEN, AND THEN PUSHED MYSELF OUTWARD OF THE VEHICLE. I FELL ONTO THE GROUND, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL NORTHBOUND AND ACROSS A FOUR-LINE HIGHWAY, AND HIT A COMERICA BANK POLE. TWO POLICEOFFICERS WERE SENT TO THE SCENE, AND I WAS GIVEN A TICKET. THE TICKET WAS FOR FAILING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I TRIED NUMBEROUS TIMES TO STOP MY VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. PLEASE CONTACT ME!

NHTSA ODI #705125

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

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.