IllustrationPITTMAN ARM/ IDLER ARM, AND UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE CORRODED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLES MAKE AND MODEL,; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE.*AK *SLC
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
Steering complaints
24 reportsTHE FRONT STEERING MECHANISM ON MY BLAZER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND EACH TIME IF I HAD NOT BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON IT IT COULS HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. IN ANY EVENT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE EITHER TIME. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BECAUSE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AND AMNY PEOPLE WHO ARE TOTALLY UNWARE THAT …
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THE FRONT STEERING MECHANISM ON MY BLAZER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND EACH TIME IF I HAD NOT BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON IT IT COULS HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. IN ANY EVENT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE EITHER TIME. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BECAUSE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AND AMNY PEOPLE WHO ARE TOTALLY UNWARE THAT TIS COULD BE A PROBLEM . I HAVE CHECKED SEVERAL OTHERS SETTING IN CAR LOTS FOR SALE AND THERE IS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE FRONT ENDS OF ALL OF THEM SO THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST MY PROBLEM. *AK
BRAKES SQUEAK, IDLER ARM NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY CAUSING RATTLING AND PULLING WHILE DRIVING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY DURING USE CAUSING PROBLEMS SEEING OUTSIDE, REAR DEFROST DOES NOT WORK, FUEL GAUGE GIVES INCORRECT READINGS AND BOBS BACK AND FORTH, DEX COOLANT TURNED TO SLUDGE CAUSING BLOCKAGES IN HEATING CO…
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BRAKES SQUEAK, IDLER ARM NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY CAUSING RATTLING AND PULLING WHILE DRIVING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY DURING USE CAUSING PROBLEMS SEEING OUTSIDE, REAR DEFROST DOES NOT WORK, FUEL GAUGE GIVES INCORRECT READINGS AND BOBS BACK AND FORTH, DEX COOLANT TURNED TO SLUDGE CAUSING BLOCKAGES IN HEATING CORE, ENGINE BLOCK, AND RADIATOR
FAULY BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM CAUSED BOTH FRONT TIRES TO BEGIN TO WEAR ON THE INSIDE TREAD PREMATURELY. NLM
BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS AND IDLE ARM FAILED AT LOW MILEAGES OF 33,000. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. *AK THE CONSUMER RESTATED THE PROBLEM SAYING THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND IDLE AREM FAILED RATHER THAN THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. *YH
CAR WAS MAKING BANGING SOUND WHEN TURNING. CAUSE WAS IDENTIFIED AS FAILED IDLER ARM AND BALL JOINTS. REPAIRED BY GM/CHEVY UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. CONCERNED THAT LOW MILEAGE FAILURE MAY REFLECT SIGNIFICANT AND DANGEROUS FRONT END PROBLEM WITH CHEVY BLAZER.
WHEN DRIVING IN WINDY WEATHER CONDITIONS CONSUMER NOTICED ALOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL , CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME LOOSE TWICE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED SEVERE STEERING DIFFICULTY. ( THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL BLAZERS AND HE'LL SEE ME AGAIN IN ABOUT 15-25K MILES)TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED EARLY BECAUSE THEY WEAR F…
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME LOOSE TWICE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED SEVERE STEERING DIFFICULTY. ( THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL BLAZERS AND HE'LL SEE ME AGAIN IN ABOUT 15-25K MILES)TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED EARLY BECAUSE THEY WEAR FAST ON THE FRONT. REPLACED BALL JOINT RECENTLY. VEHICLE MAKES EXCESSIVE NOISES IN FRONT END( INCLUDING ENGINE COMPARTMENT) FOR AGE. VEHICLE HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHACE TO INCLUDE IGNITION REPLACEMENT, FUEL PUMP AND SENSORS REPLACED, FUEL GUAGE GOING WACKY,LIGHTS ALWAYS SEEM DIM( I HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE), VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON TOO MANY OCCASIONS TO LIST AND TOWED ONCE WHILE ON A TRIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BATTERY SEEMS TO DRAIN FO NO APPARENT REASON. SEATS AND BELTS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ABOUT 4 TIMES. I ONLY DETAIL LISTED ITEMS WHICH I KNOW THE EXACT DATES. WHICH HAPPENED. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER RIGHT NOW FOR ELECTRICAL AND THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS NO PROBLEM. MY WIFE AND I ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO WORK WITH GM ON THESE ISSUES, BUT HAVEN'T RECEIVED MUCH HELP. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED WITH THE GM SERVICE AND THE DEALERS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY PERSON, BUT I DON'T BELEIVE I WANT TO OWN ANOTHER PROBLEM. I HAVE HEARD MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 199X BLAZER. THE TWO DEALERS WHICH HAVE WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE THE MOST TRY TO TELL MY WIFE THESE PROBLEMS ARE NORMAL. NO VEHICLE OF THIS AGE SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. I HAD A 20 YEAR OLD CHEVY TRUCK BEFORE THIS BLAZER AND DIDN'T HAVE NEARLY THE PROBLEMS. SORRY, HAD TO VENT A LITTLE. *AK
DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RAN INTO A HOUSE, EJECTING DRIVER FROM VEHICLE. A SMALL FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE, SOMEONE TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT IT KEPT BURNING , CAUSING DAMAGE TO HOUSE AND TOTALING VEHICLE. FUEL PUMP DID NOT SHUT DOWN. SEATBELT MAY HAVE FAILED; THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPLACE BELTS FOLLOWING COLLI…
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DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RAN INTO A HOUSE, EJECTING DRIVER FROM VEHICLE. A SMALL FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE, SOMEONE TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT IT KEPT BURNING , CAUSING DAMAGE TO HOUSE AND TOTALING VEHICLE. FUEL PUMP DID NOT SHUT DOWN. SEATBELT MAY HAVE FAILED; THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPLACE BELTS FOLLOWING COLLISION. *AK
EA94038, IN ICY CONDITION BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. ALSO, EFFECTS THE STEERING SYSTEM'S ABILITY TO STEER VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
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.