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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

47 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2023
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

Throttle stuck brakes could not stop vehicle. Lost control and rolled. Lucky I was on my property and not a public road. No report. Can be inspected. Available anytime. This is not the only year of this model I have had this problem I have had two 2002 that have had same problem.

NHTSA ODI #11501735

70,000 miles · Mar 8, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

OWNING THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND A FINANCIAL DRAIN. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED WHEN THEY CHOSE, REPLACED WIPER MOTOR DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. A/C STOPPED WORKING, HAD IT LOOKED AT AND RECHARGED AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. FUEL GAGE DIDN…

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OWNING THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND A FINANCIAL DRAIN. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED WHEN THEY CHOSE, REPLACED WIPER MOTOR DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. A/C STOPPED WORKING, HAD IT LOOKED AT AND RECHARGED AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. FUEL GAGE DIDN'T WORK, REPLACED FUEL SENSOR AND SENDING UNIT. REAR WIPER QUIT WORKING, REPLACED REAR WIPER MOTOR, A FEW DAYS LATER IT DOES NOT WORK AGAIN. REPLACED WATER PUMP, HAVE REPLACED ABS ONLY TO GET A RECALL AFTER THE FACT WITH NO REIMBURSEMENT. WEARS THROUGH BRAKE PADS ENTIRELY TOO FAST. REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TWICE. REAR HATCH DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY. HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THEY MIGHT AS WELL NOT EXIST. WATER LEAKS INTO INTERIOR ON DRIVERS SIDE DUE TO A BAD SEAL. IDLER ARM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. GAS PEDAL STICKS. NOW HEATER FAN WORKS SOMETIMES. READING THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. RECALLS ISSUED ON SOME VEHICLES BUT NOT ALL? NOW I HEAR GM PUT A BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON THESE AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER CARS (1997) AND DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY MATTER! THIS CAUSES ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND ULTIMATELY ENDS IN A REPAIR OF AT LEAST 1500.00. AFTER MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE I WILL BE PURCHASING SOON AND IT MOST LIKELY WILL NOT BE GM. SAD SINCE MY DAD WORKED FOR THEM FOR 30 YEARS. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUTTING A BAD PRODUCT ON THE MARKET AND LEAVING US TO DRY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152223

174,000 miles · Dec 29, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

DT: THE CONTACT SET THE CRUISE CONTROL WHILE GOING UP A HILL AND VEHICLE SPED UP .WHILE GOING DOWN THE HILL THE VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING FASTER. THE RPMS WERE ABOVE 4000. HE PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. THIS SLOWED THE VEHICLE A LITTLE. HE MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE GOT OUT OF TH…

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DT: THE CONTACT SET THE CRUISE CONTROL WHILE GOING UP A HILL AND VEHICLE SPED UP .WHILE GOING DOWN THE HILL THE VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING FASTER. THE RPMS WERE ABOVE 4000. HE PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. THIS SLOWED THE VEHICLE A LITTLE. HE MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECKED THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. IT WAS STUCK. HE WORKED WITH THE THROTTLE AND FINALLY MANAGED TO GET IT RELEASED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146392

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER ENGINE REVVED TO A VERY HIGH RPM.*MR AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE IN THE STREET THE ENGINE REVVED VERY HIGH. IT REVVED SOMEWHERE AROUND 4500 RPM'S. THE CONSUMER POPPED TO HOOD TO SEE IF HE COULD DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE NEXT DAY THE CONSUMER INSPECTED TH…

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1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER ENGINE REVVED TO A VERY HIGH RPM.*MR AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE IN THE STREET THE ENGINE REVVED VERY HIGH. IT REVVED SOMEWHERE AROUND 4500 RPM'S. THE CONSUMER POPPED TO HOOD TO SEE IF HE COULD DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE NEXT DAY THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT BUTTERFLY VALVE WAS OPEN AND SHOWED WHERE THE WEDGE SHAPED PIECE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RIVETED ON. IT APPEARED THAT THE WEDGE PIECE BROKE AWAY FROM THE RIVETS AND PIVOTED DOWN INTO THE THROAT OF THE INJECTOR BODY CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO SENSE THE NEED TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10130216

65,000 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND COMMENCED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT 45 MPH. THE DRIVER ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE UNTIL THE ENGINE STOP ACCELERATION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL THE SPEED DID NOT DECREASE. THE WHEELS STARTED TO SMOKE AS…

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WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND COMMENCED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT 45 MPH. THE DRIVER ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE UNTIL THE ENGINE STOP ACCELERATION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL THE SPEED DID NOT DECREASE. THE WHEELS STARTED TO SMOKE AS THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE CONSUMER THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TRIED TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO NEUTRAL BUT IT WOULDN'T. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10094661

82,000 miles · Oct 31, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ENGINE REVVED VERY HIGH. CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SHOULDER, AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. A REBUILT ENGINE WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT BY THE DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10046130

80,127 miles · Aug 21, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

THE THROTTLE STUCK ON MY 1997 GENERAL MOTORS CHEVROLET BLAZER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033276

99,000 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T HOLD. *JB PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10017920

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START CAR SMELLED GAS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND THEN FOUND GAS IN COMPUTER. MECHANIC STATED FUEL INJECTORS FAILED AND FLOODED THE COMPUTER, WHICH STOPPED VEHICLE FROM STARTING. TS

NHTSA ODI #8022989

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT 10 MPH, THROTTLE STUCK AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF, HITTING THE SIDE OF A GARAGE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *TT

NHTSA ODI #8012999

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.