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
Seat Belts complaints
26 reportsI HAVE OCCURYING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER WHICH INCLUDE THE BACK SEAT SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY,SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND BUSHINGS, CORROSION OF INTAKE GASKETS DUE TO DEXCOOL REQUIRED COOLANT. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO FULLY INSERT THE SEAT BELT INTO THE BUCKLE, AND THE BUCKLE DID NOT STAY LATCHED AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELT SHOULDER STRAPS FAILED CAUSING INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1997 CHEVY BLAZER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT A RECALL WAS MADE ON HIS VEHICLE FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. WHEN THE RECALL WAS FIXED A SHORTER SEAT BELT WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE. NOW CONSUMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AND FEELS THAT ALL THE SEAT…
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DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1997 CHEVY BLAZER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT A RECALL WAS MADE ON HIS VEHICLE FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. WHEN THE RECALL WAS FIXED A SHORTER SEAT BELT WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE. NOW CONSUMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AND FEELS THAT ALL THE SEAT BELTS IN THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 03V117000. GM RECALL NUMBER IS 03020. THIS IS THE THIRD SEAT BELT THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *TT
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…
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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
I AM HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 97 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN THE BACK SEAT ONLY WORK PART OF THE TIME. THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. I FILL UP AND IT REGISTERS ON EMPTY AFTER 2 MILES. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. AS I DRIVE, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON & OFF OR THE OUTSIDE LIGHTS DIM …
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I AM HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 97 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN THE BACK SEAT ONLY WORK PART OF THE TIME. THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. I FILL UP AND IT REGISTERS ON EMPTY AFTER 2 MILES. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. AS I DRIVE, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON & OFF OR THE OUTSIDE LIGHTS DIM WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE LEATHER SEAT IS RIPPING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND I WEIGH 120 POUNDS, SO YOU WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE STURDIER THAN THAT. WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG???*AK
THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK SEAT DOES NOT WORK ALL OF THE TIME. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS THAT MUST USE THIS. I PLAN ON HAVING IT FIXED, BUT FEEL THIS IS A DANGER TO OTHERS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS A RECALL ALREADY, BUT PLEASE INVESTIGATE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES!!*AK
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH. CONSUMER TOOK CARE OF THIS ISSUE PREVIOUSLY, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK *PH
FAILED ATTEMPTS TO HAVE SEAT BELT SAFETY SYSTEM INSPECTED.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL WHICH ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SAFETY BELTS CHECKED. THE CONSUMER IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DEALER SERVICE BECAUSE THEY ONLY WANT TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION DURING THE WEEK INSTEAD OF ON A SATURDAY. …
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FAILED ATTEMPTS TO HAVE SEAT BELT SAFETY SYSTEM INSPECTED.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL WHICH ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SAFETY BELTS CHECKED. THE CONSUMER IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DEALER SERVICE BECAUSE THEY ONLY WANT TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION DURING THE WEEK INSTEAD OF ON A SATURDAY. *NLM
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.