IllustrationWHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, AND VEHICLE IS GOING DOWN A HILL OR SMALL INCLINE , ENGINE WILL DIE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. *AK
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
93 reportsCOOLIANT SYSTEM FILLED WITH SLUGS CAUSED BY DEX COOLANT PRODUCT. BREAKDOWN. DEX IS SUPPOSE TO BE GOOD FOR 100,000 MILES, AT 53,000 TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR TRANMISSION HOSE LEAK, DEALER OPENED RADIATOR CAP AND SAID THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH BLAZERS. RECOMMENDED A FLUSH BE DONE, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP DID. NOW VEHICLE HAS AN INDIC…
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COOLIANT SYSTEM FILLED WITH SLUGS CAUSED BY DEX COOLANT PRODUCT. BREAKDOWN. DEX IS SUPPOSE TO BE GOOD FOR 100,000 MILES, AT 53,000 TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR TRANMISSION HOSE LEAK, DEALER OPENED RADIATOR CAP AND SAID THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH BLAZERS. RECOMMENDED A FLUSH BE DONE, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP DID. NOW VEHICLE HAS AN INDICATION (SPIKE) OF OVER HEATING. NOW DEALERSHIP STATES BLOCK NEEDS TO BE PULLED, FREEZE PLUGS PULLED AND A COMPLETE BLOCK FLUSH , ALONG WITH RADIATOR RECORED AND HEATER CORE REPLACED. IS THERE ANY INFORMATION ON THE BREAKDOWN OF DEX COOLANT FUILDS THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM OR THAT HAS BEEN SENT OUT FROM THE MANUFACTER OF THIS PRODUCT. I AM NOW LOOKING AT $1,300.00 OF REPAIRS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, TRUCK SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM, BUT UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. OWNER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, BUT PROBLEM WENT AWAY. CURRENTLY, IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. *AK *ML
NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH VERY ANNOYING. BRAKES REPLACED BY DEALER WHEN BOUGHT NOW SQEAKING AFTER ONLY 9500 MILES THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK HAS RUSTED AND PARTICLES ARE GOING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT CARE THE RADIATOR WAS FULL OF SLUG HAD TO BE FLUSHED OUT OF POCKET FOR ME NOW THERE IS A BURNING SMELL AFTER I ACC…
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NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH VERY ANNOYING. BRAKES REPLACED BY DEALER WHEN BOUGHT NOW SQEAKING AFTER ONLY 9500 MILES THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK HAS RUSTED AND PARTICLES ARE GOING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT CARE THE RADIATOR WAS FULL OF SLUG HAD TO BE FLUSHED OUT OF POCKET FOR ME NOW THERE IS A BURNING SMELL AFTER I ACCELERATE SMELLS LIKE BURNT TOAST. THIS CAR NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND WILL NEVER BUY THIS BRAND AGAIN THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
CONTAMINATION OF COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO DEX-COOL. ENTIRE SYSTEM MUST BE FLUSHED AND HEATER CORE REPLACED. CHEVROLET MOTOR DIV. HAS OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST, ALTHOUGH IT IS NO LONGER UNDER THEIR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH DEX-COOL AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONDING TO IT, AS THEY CL…
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CONTAMINATION OF COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO DEX-COOL. ENTIRE SYSTEM MUST BE FLUSHED AND HEATER CORE REPLACED. CHEVROLET MOTOR DIV. HAS OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST, ALTHOUGH IT IS NO LONGER UNDER THEIR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH DEX-COOL AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONDING TO IT, AS THEY CLAIM THAT IT SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE CHANGED FOR 5 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CONTAMINATION AFTER BRINGING MY CAR IN FOR A SLOSHING, GURGLING SOUND UNDER THE DASH. *AK
IN VARIOUS SITUTATIONS VEHICLE WILL STALL AND SHUT DOWN WITH NO APPARENT REASON. DEALRR CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE EXACT PROBLEM, BUT FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND WILL BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THIS WILL BE THREE TIMES IN ONE MONTH THAT FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE SAME SAME TIME OIL WAS PUMPING ON THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR, AND LOST ALL OIL. PULLED OVER. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. ENGINE COOLING LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING WHICH CAUSED A HOLE IN THE LINE. DEALER REPLACED COOLING LINE. *AK *…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE SAME SAME TIME OIL WAS PUMPING ON THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR, AND LOST ALL OIL. PULLED OVER. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. ENGINE COOLING LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING WHICH CAUSED A HOLE IN THE LINE. DEALER REPLACED COOLING LINE. *AK *ML
THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO CUT OFF IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVED FOR MORE THAT 30 MINUTES AND THE A/C IS RUNNING. THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON NOR ARE THERE ANY WARNINGS THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO DIE. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEM BECAUSE COMPUTER ISN'T REGISTERING ANY ISSUES. THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM…
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THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO CUT OFF IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVED FOR MORE THAT 30 MINUTES AND THE A/C IS RUNNING. THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON NOR ARE THERE ANY WARNINGS THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO DIE. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEM BECAUSE COMPUTER ISN'T REGISTERING ANY ISSUES. THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AK
ANTI-FREEZE GOES BAD AND LOOKS LIKE MUD. LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO REPAIR SHOPS. *AK
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.