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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

Structure complaints

18 reports
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80,500 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Service BrakesStructure

I JUST PICKED UP MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER OCT 31, 2012 WITH 79000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF CORROSION BUILDUP ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY YESTERDAY, WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. UNDER CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND OUT THAT T…

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I JUST PICKED UP MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER OCT 31, 2012 WITH 79000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF CORROSION BUILDUP ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY YESTERDAY, WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. UNDER CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD BURST. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY BLAZER UNTIL I GET THIS FIXED. WITH THIS LEAK, I INSPECTED THE REST OF MY BRAKE LINES TO WHICH I'VE FOUND BOTH MY FRONT BRAKE LINES IN A SEVERELY CORRODED STATE AS WELL WAITING TO BURST. THIS IS A GREAT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497821

90,000 miles · Jan 25, 2007
Structure

TL*- WHILE DRIVING THE 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER THROUGH A CAR WASH, WATER BEGAN TO ENTER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS UP, THE CONTACT COULD FEEL THE WIND AS IF THE WINDOWS WERE OPEN. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS OCCURRED FREQUENTLY IN THIS MODEL TRUCK. THE CONTACT FEARED TH…

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TL*- WHILE DRIVING THE 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER THROUGH A CAR WASH, WATER BEGAN TO ENTER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS UP, THE CONTACT COULD FEEL THE WIND AS IF THE WINDOWS WERE OPEN. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS OCCURRED FREQUENTLY IN THIS MODEL TRUCK. THE CONTACT FEARED THAT THE DOORS WILL OPEN AND HE WILL FALL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10180718

96,194 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND WAS RECALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. THE RADIO WOULD GO OFF AND ON, THE OVERHEAD DISPLAY AND MAP LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND ON, THE CD PLAYER NO LONGER WORKED, THE REAR WINDOW…

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THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND WAS RECALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. THE RADIO WOULD GO OFF AND ON, THE OVERHEAD DISPLAY AND MAP LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND ON, THE CD PLAYER NO LONGER WORKED, THE REAR WINDOW LATCH FAILED, THE MIRRORS WOULD ONLY MOVE TO THE LEFT AND THERE WAS RUST IN THE TRANSMISSION. *LA *NM

NHTSA ODI #10059442

72,000 miles · Oct 21, 2003
Structure

WHILE HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED, THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE HINGE PIN ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS LOOSE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DOOR NOT STAYING SHUT AND FLYING OPEN WHILE DRIVING, PER DEALERSHIP.*AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10042002

80,000 miles · Jul 10, 2003
Structure

MOST RECENTLY WE HAD TO REPLACE THE HINGE ON THE FRONT DOOR, DRIVER SIDE, IT FAILED AND FELL ON TO THE GROUND. TO REPLACE IT COST US $43 AT A BODY SHOP, THE DEALERSHIP WANTED $300 TO REPLACE IT. WHEN THE BLAZER WAS BRAND NEW I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DRY AND LUBRICATED IT, THEY TOLD ME TO USE WD-…

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MOST RECENTLY WE HAD TO REPLACE THE HINGE ON THE FRONT DOOR, DRIVER SIDE, IT FAILED AND FELL ON TO THE GROUND. TO REPLACE IT COST US $43 AT A BODY SHOP, THE DEALERSHIP WANTED $300 TO REPLACE IT. WHEN THE BLAZER WAS BRAND NEW I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DRY AND LUBRICATED IT, THEY TOLD ME TO USE WD-40. WHEN WE HAD IT REPLACED THE BODY SHOP FOUND THE DOOR FRAME AT THE STRIKE PLATE HAD BROKEN AND DETERIORATED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK THE DOOR. THE BODY SHOP TOLD US THAT THE SECOND PROBLEM PROBABLY CAUSE THE FIRST PROBLEM. THE FACTORY REP SAID IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE I MUST OF CLOSED THE DOOR TO HARD AND THAT IT WAS OUR PROBLEM. TO REPAIR THE SECOND PROBLEM WILL COST US $300. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE PASSENGER DOOR INSIDE PANEL HAS BROKEN LOOSE. ALSO THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR INSIDE PANEL IS ALSO CRACKED WHICH RESULTED IN THE SPEAKER ON THAT DOOR NOT WORKING. THE FACTORY REP SAID THAT WAS OUR FAULT ALSO. I FEEL THAT THESE ARE DEFECTS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025781

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2003
Structure

WHILE DRIVING , CONSUMER CAN HEAR AND FEEL OUTSIDE AIR COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, NOTICED THAT DOOR HINGE IS PULLING AWAY FROM FRAME. PH

NHTSA ODI #10006164

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2002
StructureFire

ON MARCH 25, 2002 MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES FROM AN INTERIOR FIRE. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND AN ADJUSTER ASSESSED THE DAMAGES AND REQUESTED A FIRE INSPECTOR EVALUATE THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR, RON CAMPBELL 541-276-7731, DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED …

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ON MARCH 25, 2002 MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES FROM AN INTERIOR FIRE. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND AN ADJUSTER ASSESSED THE DAMAGES AND REQUESTED A FIRE INSPECTOR EVALUATE THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR, RON CAMPBELL 541-276-7731, DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO MY CONCERNS IN A TIMELY MANNER AND I FELT THAT I HAD NO RECOURSE BUT TO ACCEPT MY INSURANCE COMPANIES SETTLEMENT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID "MARKET VALUE" ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH LEFT ME WITH A SUBSTANTIAL BALANE DUE ON MY VEHICLE. I NOT ONLY HAVE TO PAY-OFF THE REMAINDER OF THE BALANCE DUE ON THE VEHICLE, BUT I HAD TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO TALK WITH THE PERSON ASSIGNED TO MY CASE AT GENERAL MOTORS (MR. ROBERT ST. PIERRE), HIS REPONSE TO ME WAS "... YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A SETTLEMENT FROM YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY REGARDING THIS MATTER. THEREFORE, GENERAL MOTORS IS UNABLE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES". I FIND THIS RESPONSE UNACCEPTABLE. THIS VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING. I NOT ONLY FEEL THAT THEY HAVE A FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ME TO COVER THE COSTS ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY COVERED, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ALL OF THEIR CONSUMERS THAT OWN BLAZERS THAT MIGHT SUSTAIN SIMILAR DAMAGE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761149

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2002
Structure

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS PULLING APART FROM THE FRAME OF THE BODY. THE WELDS ARE BROKEN. DEALER WILL NOT FIX, SAYS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER TOLD ME TO TAKE TO BODY SHOP. WORRIED DOOR IS GOING TO POP OFF.

NHTSA ODI #757261

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2001
Structure

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS ARE COMING OFF, SEEM NOT WELDED, BUT GLUED ON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #883239

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2001
Structure

DOORS ARE FALLING OFF. THE HINGES ARE TEARING OFF THE TRUCK LIKE THEY WERE GLUED ON. PASSENGER DOOR IS RUBBING AND IS READY TO FALL OFF. DRIVERS DOOR SPRING POPPED OFF AND NOW THAT HINGE IS READY TO PULL AWAY FROM THE TRUCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #742455

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.