WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY PUT CRUISE CONTROL ON, BUT IT WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AND CUT VEHICLE OFF TO SOLVE PROBLEM.*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
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.
What owners actually said
716 reportsWHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS ON AND TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY CHECKED VEHICLE, BUT ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS STILL ON. *AK CONSUMER HAS A WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPLAINED TO DEALER 9 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF PURCHASE ABOUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. NO REASONABLE…
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WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS ON AND TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY CHECKED VEHICLE, BUT ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS STILL ON. *AK CONSUMER HAS A WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPLAINED TO DEALER 9 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF PURCHASE ABOUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. NO REASONABLE EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN EXCEPT PROBABLE GAS CAP. WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED CONSUMER FOUND OUT THE LIGHT WAS FOR THE POWER TRAIN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE PART IN THE TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CODE PROVED THAT AN AFTER MARKET PART WAS USED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART PREVIOUSLY. *JG
THIS VEHICLE IS PLAGUED WITH PROBLEMS. REPLACED BOTH FRONT & REAR SHOCKS AT 51,800 MILES AT A COST OF $342.00. AT 50,800 MILES, REPLACED DISC PADS, DISC BRAKE SHIMS AND REAR ROTORS AT A COST OF $290.00 - REAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. FOUR NEW TIRES AT A COST OF $440.00 WERE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE AT 48,610 MILES. I HA…
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THIS VEHICLE IS PLAGUED WITH PROBLEMS. REPLACED BOTH FRONT & REAR SHOCKS AT 51,800 MILES AT A COST OF $342.00. AT 50,800 MILES, REPLACED DISC PADS, DISC BRAKE SHIMS AND REAR ROTORS AT A COST OF $290.00 - REAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. FOUR NEW TIRES AT A COST OF $440.00 WERE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE AT 48,610 MILES. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE ALIGNED AND TIRES BALANCED THREE TIMES IN TEN MONTHS - ONE WAS A FORCED BALANCE AT A COST OF $160.00. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT STRAIGHT AND THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE SITS 1" TO 1 1/2" LOWER THAN THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS VEHICLE. NEXT REPAIR IS TO ADJUST THE TORSION BAR AND RE-ALIGN IT TO SEE IF THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM. EVERY TIME I GO OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP, THE WHOLE BODY OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES! IT FEELS AND SOUNDS LIKE THE FENDERS AND DOORS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 13 MONTHS, PUT 8,600 MILES ON IT AND HAVE SPENT $2,385.00 IN REPAIRS SO FAR. I AM NOT A HAPPY PERSON.*AK
SIDE GEARS AND CASE AND SIDE BEARINGS FAILED AT 48,300 MILES. REPLACED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY, INSTALLED NEW SIDE GEAR SET AND CASE AND SIDE BEARINGS. REPAIR COST WAS $1,154.00 DOLLARS. BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN FEB. 2001, BEARINGS FAILED IN NOV. 2001. ONLY 5,000 MILES WERE PUT ON THE VEHICLE IN THAT TIME FRAME. *AK
TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER 2 YEARS OF HASSLE, NEW TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BUT DEALER STATES ALL TRANSMISSIONS RUN THAT WAY. TURN SIGNAL/WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE REPLACED TWICE, TURN SIGNAL CONTINUED TO CLICK AFTER TURNED OFF, WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON BY ITSELF. DRIVER'S MIRROR REPLACED TWICE DUE TO VIBRATION AND CONTINUES …
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TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER 2 YEARS OF HASSLE, NEW TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BUT DEALER STATES ALL TRANSMISSIONS RUN THAT WAY. TURN SIGNAL/WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE REPLACED TWICE, TURN SIGNAL CONTINUED TO CLICK AFTER TURNED OFF, WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON BY ITSELF. DRIVER'S MIRROR REPLACED TWICE DUE TO VIBRATION AND CONTINUES TO VIBRATE, DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE A THIRD TIME DUE TO A BUGSHIELD BEING INSTALLED EVEN THOUGH MIRROR VIBRATED BEFORE BUGSHIELD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT AT GRUBBS CHEVROLET BUT HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AT LOWE CHEVROLET IN WAYNESVILLE MO.
CONSUMER BACKED HIS BOAT TRAILER INTO THE LANDING, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, CONSUMER BEGAN LOADING THE BOAT, WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, HE PLACED IT IN DRIVE AND THEN PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ALSO APPLIED THE FOOT BRAKE, THE FOOT BRAKE HELD FOR A SECOND THEN WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THE…
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CONSUMER BACKED HIS BOAT TRAILER INTO THE LANDING, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, CONSUMER BEGAN LOADING THE BOAT, WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, HE PLACED IT IN DRIVE AND THEN PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ALSO APPLIED THE FOOT BRAKE, THE FOOT BRAKE HELD FOR A SECOND THEN WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL INTO THE LAKE, CONSUMER HAD TO GIVE THE VEHICLE A LITTLE GAS IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE ONTO LEVEL GROUND. *SLC
THE FUEL INJECTORS LEAKED ONTO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE ENGINE. ALL OF THE WIRES MELTED. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS CONFIRMED THAT THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. I WAS REFERED TO GENERAL MOTORS. ESTIMATED REPAIRS FOR $1600.00 INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRING HARNESS, FUEL INJECTORS, F…
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THE FUEL INJECTORS LEAKED ONTO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE ENGINE. ALL OF THE WIRES MELTED. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS CONFIRMED THAT THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. I WAS REFERED TO GENERAL MOTORS. ESTIMATED REPAIRS FOR $1600.00 INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRING HARNESS, FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL REGULATOR KIT, FUEL BODY KIT AND UPPER INTAKE GASKET. GM HAS AGREED TO PAY 50% OF THE BILL. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 42,000 MILES, HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY WITH OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS, I FEEL THAT GM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT.*AK
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. CONSUMER REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AKCONSUMER FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS WORN AND HAD A HOLE IN IT CAUSING IT TO LEAK. PHOTOS ATTACHED. *TT
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCKS, THEY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN, WITH THE ENGINE ON OR OFF.*YH
CONSUMER WAS RECLINING SEAT AND SEAT LATCH LEVER BROKE OFF IN HAND. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROBIDE MORE INFORMATION.*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.
Illustration