IllustrationTAKATA RECALL. PLUS THERE IS A RECALL ON MY SEATBELT. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
1997 Chevrolet Blazer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Blazer years
Owner complaints for the 1997 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
Limited mileage data: 171 of 768 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
60 crash reports26 fire reports44 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
38 reportsNOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON, BUT ONE DAY A FEW YEARS AGO IT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. CERTIFIED GM MECHANIC CAN'T FIND REASON WHY. SO I STILL DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT HAVE TOLD MY FAMILY, AND LEFT NOTARIZED STATEMENT WITH DOCUMENTATION, THAT IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME AS A RESULT OF THIS (I.E. AIRB…
Read full complaint
NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON, BUT ONE DAY A FEW YEARS AGO IT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. CERTIFIED GM MECHANIC CAN'T FIND REASON WHY. SO I STILL DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT HAVE TOLD MY FAMILY, AND LEFT NOTARIZED STATEMENT WITH DOCUMENTATION, THAT IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME AS A RESULT OF THIS (I.E. AIRBAG DOESN'T DEPLOY THEREBY CAUSING FATAL INJURY OR DEPLOYS WITHOUT CAUSE CAUSING INJURY) THEY ARE TO SUE GM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG CAME OUT PARTIALLY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, IT CAME OUT BUT WHEN BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO DO T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG CAME OUT PARTIALLY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, IT CAME OUT BUT WHEN BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO DO THE WORK UNLESS THE CONTACT PAYS FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,192.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT IT STARTED TO COME OUT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT HAD THE DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS FOUND WITH THE AIRBAG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 16400…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT IT STARTED TO COME OUT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT HAD THE DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS FOUND WITH THE AIRBAG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 164000.
HIT EIGHTEEN WHEELER HEAD ON AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING FOR A LONG DISTANCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH PROGRESSIVELY STARTED TO ILLUMINATE CONSISTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WILL DETERMINED WHETHER THE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY DEFECT.
MY BROTHER HAD A FRONT END COLLISION AND ROLLOVER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM
DT: THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH, AND THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NOT WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, AND WAS PUSHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.…
Read full complaint
DT: THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH, AND THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NOT WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, AND WAS PUSHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. TWO PEOPLE WERE HURT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT-END COLLISION. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S STOMACH TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND HER HEAD TO HIT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *SC THE CONSUMER LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDI…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT-END COLLISION. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S STOMACH TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND HER HEAD TO HIT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *SC THE CONSUMER LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE SEAT BELTS. (03V117000) *JB
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A DRIVEWAY AT 20 MPH, AN ANIMAL JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND HIT A TREE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Official recalls
403V117000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Mar 31, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. SUSTAINED LOADS OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE AND DURATION ON THE BELT IN SEVERE CRASHES COULD FULLY DEPLOY THE BUCKLE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP, INTRODUCING A TOTAL OF 10 ADDITIONAL INCHES OF WEBBING INTO THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE FREE FALLING LATCH PLATE USED IN THIS SYSTEM MAY ALLOW WEBBING TO DYNAMICALLY DISTRIBUTE BETWEEN THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT AS THE DRIVER'S POSITION CHANGES DURING A MULTIPLE ROLLOVER EVENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP FULLY DEPLOYS IN A SEVERE MULTIPLE ROLLOVER CRASH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A BELTED DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE PARTIAL OR EVEN COMPLETE EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior
Mar 7, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
01V200000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
Jun 28, 2001
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
97V096001 · Seat Belts
Jun 12, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
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
2EA97004 · Seat Belt Webbing Separation
Opened Feb 28, 1997 · Closed Aug 5, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
EA94038 · Abs Braking System
Opened Oct 31, 1994 · Closed Feb 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.