IllustrationFRONT BRAKE PADS WORN OUT PREMATURELY.
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
144 reportsFROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, WE HAD NOT BEEN SATISFIED WITH THE WAY THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED. THREE TIMES FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO THE DATE OF THE FIRST ACCIDENT, WE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE BRAKES TO BE CHECKED. INCLUDING SERVICE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS (3/14/98) BEFORE THE INITIAL ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO T…
Read full complaint
FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, WE HAD NOT BEEN SATISFIED WITH THE WAY THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED. THREE TIMES FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO THE DATE OF THE FIRST ACCIDENT, WE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE BRAKES TO BE CHECKED. INCLUDING SERVICE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS (3/14/98) BEFORE THE INITIAL ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR COLLISION REPAIR AND AT THAT TIME WE ASKED FOR IT TO BE TAKEN TO SERVICE FOR THE BRAKES TO BE FIXED BEFORE WE PICKED IT UP. WHEN WE CALLED TO CHECK ON THE STATUS, THE COLLISION MANAGER TOLD US THAT IT WOULD STILL BE A FEW DAYS BECAUSE HE PICKED IT UP FROM SERVICE WHEN THEY SAID IT WAS FINISHED AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. HE PERSONALLY DROVE IT BACK TO COLLISION AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT BACK TO SERVICE BECAUSE HE KNEW THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING APPROPRIATELY. AFTER THAT WE WERE CONTACTED BECAUSE THEY FOUND TWO HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKS IN THE REAR AND ALL THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS AFTER THEY HAD SUPPOSEDLY CHECKED OUT THE BRAKES ON MARCH 14 AND TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. WE AGREED TO HAVE THEM DO THE WORK AND FOR THE FIRST DAY OR TWO THE BRAKES APPEARED TO BE WORKING BETTER. WITHIN A WEEK, HOWEVER, THEY WERE FUNCTIONING AS POORLY AS ALWAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON 10/30/98. IT WAS ANOTHER SLOW-SPEED (20-25 MPH) ACCIDENT WHERE I SAW THE ACCIDENT HAPPENING, REACTED AND HAD TIME TO THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT I WAS GOING TO CRASH. IN BOTH ACCIDENTS, IT WASN'T AS THOUGH THEY HAPPENED TOO QUICKLY TOO REACT TO. I WAS FULLY AWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING, SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE IS ALSO A LOW, GRINDING NOISE AT THESE TIMES WHEN THE BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER TIMES WHEN THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED, BUT IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT ISSUED A TICKET IN EITHER ACCIDENT AS BEING AT FAULT, HOWEVER MY INSURANCE HAS HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF BOTH VEHICLES BECAUSE I HIT
BRAKES FAULTY CAUSING THEM TO LOCK UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO STOP PROPERLY.
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE DEALER WILL WE REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND SHOES. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
ABS BRAKES FAILED THREE TIMES.
ABS BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS. *AK
ABS SEEMED TO ENGAGE VERY EASILY ON VEHICLE, RESULTING IN OVERLY LONG STOPS. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STOP AT STOP SIGN RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE.
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP. LESS THEN SEVEN MONTHS LATER CONDITION REAPPEARED. CONSUMER CALLED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND LEFT A MASSAGE. IT APPEARS THAT DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO RETURN CONSUMER'S CALLS. *AK
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, EXTREME PRESSURE HAD TO BE PUT ON THE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 15,000. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, THE BRAKES SQUEAK AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT, DEALER STATES THIS WOULD GO AWAY. *SLC
DRIVING THE TRUCK IN DRIZZLING RAIN, ENTERING ONTO A ENTRANCE RAMP, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD. CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE TRUCK BEGAN WOBBLING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AND FINALLY HIT A GUARDRAIL. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM LOCKED UP. *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.