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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 →

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

Power Train complaints

110 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2003
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BUZZING NOISE. CONSUMER TURNED AROUND AND PARKED VEHICLE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO FIRST GEAR OR THIRD GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10049898

99,850 miles · Sep 3, 2003
Power Train

P 1870 TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE CODE. I HAVE ABRUPT SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. TRIPS OVER 20 MILES SEEMS TO AGGREVATE THE SITUATION. OCCASIONALLY AFTER THE 20 PLUS MILE TRIP THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO WIND UP AS THE GAS IS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T RESPOND WITH FORWARD MOMENTUM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037177

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2003
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO COMPLETE STOP AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND GEAR, WON'T SHIFT, AND MAKES LOUD NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10033944

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2003
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES THAT GEAR SHIFT CAN BE PULLED DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. DEALER NOTIFED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10026183

59,200 miles · Jun 20, 2003
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR. CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE BUT MOVING AS THOUGH IT IS IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR TO START FROM A DEAD STOP. ONCE MOVING AT SECOND GEAR SPEED IT IS WORKING FINE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN SCANNED IT SHOWS CODES P0740 AND P1860 (P0740 IS TCC SENSOR MALFUNCTION …

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR. CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE BUT MOVING AS THOUGH IT IS IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR TO START FROM A DEAD STOP. ONCE MOVING AT SECOND GEAR SPEED IT IS WORKING FINE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN SCANNED IT SHOWS CODES P0740 AND P1860 (P0740 IS TCC SENSOR MALFUNCTION ---P1860 IS SHIFT PLATE D GROUNDED TO BATTERY)WHEN CODES ARE CLEARED THE CODES COME BACK. TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER HAVE BEEN REPLACED . *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023435

42,000 miles · Jun 17, 2003
Power TrainSuspension

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TRANFER CASE HAVE FAILED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10024240

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

THERE IS A BAD DESIGN IN THE BUNDLE OF WIRING ABOVE TRANSMISSION WITH PLASTIC RING HOLDING BUNDLE, THIS BUNDLE IS NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING ALLOWING MOVE RUB TILL THEY SHORT OUT IN THE CHEVROLET BLAZERS, MINE IS A 1997. MY BLAZER WIRING CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION SWITCH TO SHORT OUT AND I WAS FIRST TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION S…

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THERE IS A BAD DESIGN IN THE BUNDLE OF WIRING ABOVE TRANSMISSION WITH PLASTIC RING HOLDING BUNDLE, THIS BUNDLE IS NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING ALLOWING MOVE RUB TILL THEY SHORT OUT IN THE CHEVROLET BLAZERS, MINE IS A 1997. MY BLAZER WIRING CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION SWITCH TO SHORT OUT AND I WAS FIRST TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION SO I TOOK IT FOR SECOND OPINION, THE SECOND SHOP CUT THE WIRE FROM THE BUNDLE, REROUTED IT FROM TRANSMISSION SWITCH AND THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH WORKED. OTHER WIRES IN THE SAME BUNDLE CAUSED SHORTS THROUGH OUT ALL WIRING CAUSING A CONSTANT DRAW OF ELECTRIC AND RUNNING BATTERY DOWN. WHEN A FUSE IS REMOVED IT BREAKS THE CIRCUIT AND BATTERY DOES NOT RUN DOWN. THE SHORTED WIRING CAUSED DAY LIGHTS TO NOT WORK, INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON UNLESS I PULLED THE FUSE AND NUMEROUS OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME THING. THEY ARE NOW DROPPING THE TRANSMISSION TO GET TO THE BUNDLE OF WIRES TO FIX SHORTS AND I AM TAKING PICTURES OF ALL OF THIS. THE SHOP HAD TWO OTHER BLAZERS IN AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL ALSO TAKE PICTURES OF THOSE BLAZERS, ONE OF THE BLAZERS IS THE SHOP OWNERS WIFE. THE SHOPS ARE TELLING ME IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I PLAN TO REPORT THIS TO AS MANY AGENCIES AS POSSIBLE AND INTERVIEW AS MANY SHOPS AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I BELIEVE IT IS A FIRE HAZARD SINCE IT SHORTS OUT. THE WIRING BUNDLE IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP AT THE GAS TANK. I HOPE CHEVROLET WILL ACT SOON AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE ALSO HAD IT IN NIX CHEVROLET WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THE AC DID NOT WORK, THEY HAVE WORKED ON THE AC 8 TIMES AND TOTALLY REBUILT EVERYTHING AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE AC???? THEY SAID THEY WILL LOOK AT IT AGAIN. I ALSO HAVE NUMEROUS RECALLS I WILL HAVE TO HAVE FIXED. I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT, IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I HAVE GOT TO DRIVE IT. I WILL NEVER BUY CHEVROLET AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10021112

37,700 miles · Mar 26, 2003
Power Train

TRANSMISSION DIP STICK AND TUBE ARE FULL OF RUST . THIS IS A DEFECT THAT WILL CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. I ONLY HAVE 37000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT MY COST BECAUSE GM HAS MADE A MISTAKE! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011044

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2003
Power Train

THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WON'T SWITCH FROM 2 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTONS. NOW, THE LIGHTS WON'T WORK EXCEPT FOR THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT. NOTHING HAPPENS AT ALL WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTONS. THE VEHICLE STAYS IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME. I HAD IT CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD THE ENCODER MOTOR AND OR SOLENOID WAS NO GOOD. I WAS ALS…

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THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WON'T SWITCH FROM 2 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTONS. NOW, THE LIGHTS WON'T WORK EXCEPT FOR THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT. NOTHING HAPPENS AT ALL WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTONS. THE VEHICLE STAYS IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME. I HAD IT CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD THE ENCODER MOTOR AND OR SOLENOID WAS NO GOOD. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE MIGHT BE A SILENT RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I PHONED A CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW OF ANY SUCH RECALL! THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO UNDERTAKE. MY VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. BESIDES THE FACT THAT IF I WANTED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT DEPRECIATION ON A TRADE-IN. I DON'T KNOW WHO TO TALK TO, AND FIND OUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS REPAIR AND TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURER LIABLE FOR THE EXPENSE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10010377

91,400 miles · Mar 11, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY AND IT CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO BREAK, I WENT TO THE DEALER WHEN I FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM OF A HARD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN LONG DISTANCES. THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTING FINE AND TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT DOES IT AGAIN. T…

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THE TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY AND IT CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO BREAK, I WENT TO THE DEALER WHEN I FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM OF A HARD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN LONG DISTANCES. THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTING FINE AND TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT DOES IT AGAIN. THIS WAS BACK ON 08/19/02 AND NOW I HAVE A CODE 1870 ON THE COMPUTER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. I FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION IS A 4L60E AND IT IS VERY UNRELIABLE. ALSO I ALREADY HAD TO CHANGE MY WATER PUMP AND ALTERNATOR AND MY GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALSO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010288

Official recalls

4

03V117000 · 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

2

EA97004 · 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.