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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

Suspension complaints

60 reports
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50,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
SuspensionTires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE BOLTS SHEARED OFF, THE LUG NUT WAS MISSING, AND THE ROTOR WAS DESTROYED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE BOLTS SHEARED OFF, THE LUG NUT WAS MISSING, AND THE ROTOR WAS DESTROYED. THE QUARTER PANEL AND THE BUMPER WERE BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RE-ATTACH THE TIRE TO THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE STUDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 10/03/14*LJ UPDATED 3/10/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10618914

17,000 miles · Mar 3, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

WHEN APPLIED THE BRAKES THERE IS SOME ROUGHNESS UNDER THE VEHICLE BRAKES HAS BEEN CHANGED AND SOME TIME GETTING JAMMED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450148

121,000 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Suspension

THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 98 BLAZER FOR RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARMS SAYING THAT THE BOLT COULD BREAK. THAT HAPPENED TO MINE BUT IT WAS THE LEFT-HAND UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLT AND THE REPAIRS COST ME $1000

NHTSA ODI #10237792

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2008
Suspension

WHEEL BEARING GO OUT ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS. IT FEELS LIKE THE TIRE IS FALLING OFF. REPLACE WHEEL BEARING AT 200.00 A SIDE. ABS LITE ON TAKE THE FUSE OUT THEY WORK PUT THE FUSE IN THEY KICK BACK.RUNS HOT WHEN YOU USE AC,SOUNDS LIKE TURN SIGNALS ARE ON WHEN THERE NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233597

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionTires

1998 CHEVY BLAZER WITH TIRE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRES BLEW OUT AND WHEN HE WENT TO GET THEM REPLACED THE MECHANIC SAID THEY WERE DRY ROTTED. HE SAID THE BRAKES ENGAGED ON HIS WAY HOME. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. AFTE…

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1998 CHEVY BLAZER WITH TIRE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRES BLEW OUT AND WHEN HE WENT TO GET THEM REPLACED THE MECHANIC SAID THEY WERE DRY ROTTED. HE SAID THE BRAKES ENGAGED ON HIS WAY HOME. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE TIRE REPLACEMENT, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES BY ANOTHER DEALER. THE FIRST DEALER STATED EVERY THING CHECKED OUT AND THAT MAYBE THE MASTER CYLINDER THAT WAS REPLACED BY THE PREVIOUS DEALER MAY HAVE PARTIALLY FAILED. THE REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED, THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER GLUED IT BACK TOGETHER.

NHTSA ODI #10212792

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2006
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10163219

118,000 miles · Jun 5, 2006
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

SUSPENSION - RIDES ROUGH: REPLACED SHOCKS ELECTRICAL - INTERIOR/EXTERIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN, HEADLIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND CAUTION LIGHTS. REPLACED: ELECTRICAL UNIT INSIDE STEERING COLUMN AND OXGEN SENSOR. STEERING - REPLACED: WHEELS, TIRES, ROTORS, BALL JOINTS, AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE TIRES AND F…

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SUSPENSION - RIDES ROUGH: REPLACED SHOCKS ELECTRICAL - INTERIOR/EXTERIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN, HEADLIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND CAUTION LIGHTS. REPLACED: ELECTRICAL UNIT INSIDE STEERING COLUMN AND OXGEN SENSOR. STEERING - REPLACED: WHEELS, TIRES, ROTORS, BALL JOINTS, AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE TIRES AND FRONT END ALIGNMENTS WITH NO REAL DIFFERENCE. IDLES - ROUGH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159032

115,000 miles · May 25, 2005
SuspensionVehicle Speed ControlCrash

DT: WITHOUT WARNING THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK AND INCREASED IN SPEED OVER ABOUT TWO MILES. HE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR, AND IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. DRIVER BURNED UP THE BRAKES TRYING TO STOP, AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE SPEED CENSOR WIRES BURNED. MANUFACTURER SENT AN INSPECTOR TO LOOK AT THE CAR, AND HE INDICATED BECAUSE OF W…

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DT: WITHOUT WARNING THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK AND INCREASED IN SPEED OVER ABOUT TWO MILES. HE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR, AND IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. DRIVER BURNED UP THE BRAKES TRYING TO STOP, AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE SPEED CENSOR WIRES BURNED. MANUFACTURER SENT AN INSPECTOR TO LOOK AT THE CAR, AND HE INDICATED BECAUSE OF WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM HE COULD NOT DRIVE IT. THEY NEVER LOOKED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL ,AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. CALLER TOOK SOMEONE FROM DEALERSHIP OUT IN CAR AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10122077

57,000 miles · Apr 28, 2005
Exterior LightingPower TrainSuspension

THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND THE CONSUMER COULD STILL HEAR THE CLICKING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE HEATER WAS LEAKING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WERE INOPERATIVE, THE REAR END HAD GONE OUT AND THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. A NEW SWITCH WAS PLACED …

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THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND THE CONSUMER COULD STILL HEAR THE CLICKING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE HEATER WAS LEAKING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WERE INOPERATIVE, THE REAR END HAD GONE OUT AND THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. A NEW SWITCH WAS PLACED ONTO THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10117169

84,445 miles · Nov 24, 2004
Suspension

1. TWO DAYS AGO, AT 50 MPH, I STARTED HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS (QUICKLY STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT TO STAY ON ROAD). IT IS IN THE SHOP (ONLY 84K MILES) TO THE TUNE OF $600 TO REPLACE BOTH BALL JOINTS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10100496

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.