IllustrationREPLACEING FRONT PADS , AND WENT TO PUT BRAKE GUIDE PINS BACK IN, ONLY TO FIND INSET FEMALE THREADS DETHREADED. UPON INSPECTION IT LOOKEDE LIKE THERE WAS A DIFFERENT TYPE (MAYBE SOFTER) METAL FEMALE THREAD TO THE HOUSING. *AK
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
What owners actually said
716 reportsTHE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, AT 30,000 MILES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR THE EARLY MODEL YEAR. *AK THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WIPER CONTROL MODULE. CONSU…
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THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, AT 30,000 MILES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR THE EARLY MODEL YEAR. *AK THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WIPER CONTROL MODULE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR, WHICH THEY PERFORMED BUT THE AIR BAG IS STILL INOPERATIVE. *BF *NM
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *NM
PURCHASED SUV IN 1999, DROVE CAR FOR 4 YEARS TIL 2004 WHEN TRANSMISSION FAILED. THERE WAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION. HAD TRANSMISSION BUILT, FAILED 3 MONTHS LATER. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT FAILED AGAIN TODAY 9 MONTHS AFTER LAST REBUILD.*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON 1998 CHEVY BLAZER AGAIN FAILED TO WORK DURING A RAIN SHOWER. FORCED ME TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD TO WAIT FOR RAIN TO SUBSIDE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS STILL IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CONSIDERING EARLIER MODEL BLAZERS WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.*AK *JB
THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.…
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THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
I HAVE OWNED MY '98 BLAZER FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AND IT WAS AND STILL IS A VERY WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE, BUT THE TURN SIGNAL IS CLICKING AND MAKING ME CRAZY! I ALSO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION, THEY WON'T STOP SOMETIMES. ARE THE MANUFACTURERS GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? I HAVE THE COMPLAINT HISTORY ON THESE TRUCKS A…
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I HAVE OWNED MY '98 BLAZER FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AND IT WAS AND STILL IS A VERY WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE, BUT THE TURN SIGNAL IS CLICKING AND MAKING ME CRAZY! I ALSO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION, THEY WON'T STOP SOMETIMES. ARE THE MANUFACTURERS GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? I HAVE THE COMPLAINT HISTORY ON THESE TRUCKS AND I THINK IT IS A RATHER LARGE PROBLEM!
1) WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING CONSISTENTLY IF THEY WORK AT ALL. HAVE HAD TO STOP DRIVING DURING THE RAIN OR SNOW BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO SEE. 2) TURN SIGNAL MAKES CLICKING SOUND EVEN WHEN NOT IN USE. *JB HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS REPAIRED TO NO AVAIL. THEY BOTH CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION.
THE THROTTLE, ON MY 1998 BLAZER, STICKS WHEN FIRST DEPRESSED AND THEN ENGAGES, WITH THE THROTTLE PARTIALLY OPEN, SO THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME CHEVERLOT ISSUED A LETTER TELLING ALL REPAIR SHOPS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS IT HAPPENS ON ALL OF THESE VEHICLES ALL THE TIME WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP. I H…
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THE THROTTLE, ON MY 1998 BLAZER, STICKS WHEN FIRST DEPRESSED AND THEN ENGAGES, WITH THE THROTTLE PARTIALLY OPEN, SO THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME CHEVERLOT ISSUED A LETTER TELLING ALL REPAIR SHOPS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS IT HAPPENS ON ALL OF THESE VEHICLES ALL THE TIME WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVERLOT SEVERAL TIMES AND OFFERED TO FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF IF THEY WOULD TELL ME WHAT TO DO BUT THEY REFUSE. THEY TELL ME TO TAKE IT TO A GM SERVICE CENTER, WHICH I DID, AND WAS TOLD IT WILL COST $65 AND THE REPAIR WILL NOT BE PERMANENT. MY CONCERN IS SOMEONE WILL BE INJURED WHEN ONE OF THESE BLAZERS OR S10 VEHICLES LURCHES FORWARD IN A PARKING LOT. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD DO. *JB
CONSTANT TURN SIGNAL CLICKING NOISE WHEN SIGNAL IS NOT ENGAGED. NO LIGHTS FLASH. CLICKING ONLY STOPS WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. *AK
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.