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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 · Oct 10, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #872675

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

I WOULD LIKE TO ATTACH THIS TO THE PREVIOUS COMMENT THAT THE FRONT THROTTLE BODY PLATES NEED CONSTANT CLEANING AS WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO ENTER A CORRECTION THAT MY VEHICLE DOES HAVE A ABS BRAKE SYSTEM

NHTSA ODI #728464

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TOOK THE CAR IN REPEATEDLY FOR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #724987

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL WILL STICK INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER HAS TO FORCE IT DOWN TO WORK NORMALLY. SOMETIMES GAS PEDAL WILL STICK WITHOUT A WARNING. DEALER REPAIRED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE FAILURE. *ML

NHTSA ODI #863894

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

FAILURE OF ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS TO REDUCE IDLE RPM ON DECELERATION IS CAUSING UNDUE STRAIN ON BRAKING SYSTEM AND PREMATURE WEAR OF COMPONENTS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS AND HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY WHILE IN GEAR AND EVEN DOWNSHIFTING DUE TO THE ENGINE'S DELAY IN REDUCING THE…

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FAILURE OF ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS TO REDUCE IDLE RPM ON DECELERATION IS CAUSING UNDUE STRAIN ON BRAKING SYSTEM AND PREMATURE WEAR OF COMPONENTS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS AND HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY WHILE IN GEAR AND EVEN DOWNSHIFTING DUE TO THE ENGINE'S DELAY IN REDUCING THE IDLE SPEED HAS FORCED THE DRIVER TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL TO DURING BRAKING TO DISABLE THE ENGINE FROM THE DRIVE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM MAY BE LINKED TO OTHER MODELS WITH FAULTY EGR VALVES BUT HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY MY DEALER. THEIR ONLY SOLUTION IS TO DOWNLOAD A NEW PROGRAM INTO THE ECM, BUT IT HASN'T WORKED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #723616

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

IF GEAR SHIFT IS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE. ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV VERY HIGH, BEYOND 'REDLINE', ENGINE COULD EXPLODE. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND FINDS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK.ET.

NHTSA ODI #859467

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE GOT STUCK IN WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO A PIECE OF METAL THAT HAD PEELED OFF. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #858817

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE TOLLWAY AND APPROXIMATLY 1 MILE BEFORE THE TOLL, I FELT MY CAR ACCELERATING WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I THOUGHT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT IT WASN'T.AS I APPROACHED THE TOLL AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN, I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRA…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE TOLLWAY AND APPROXIMATLY 1 MILE BEFORE THE TOLL, I FELT MY CAR ACCELERATING WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I THOUGHT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT IT WASN'T.AS I APPROACHED THE TOLL AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN, I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT IT OFF. AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK, I WAS TOLD BY THE TOLL AUTHORITY TO TRY TO START THE CAR. WHEN I DID, IT REVVED UP ALL THE WAY INTO THE RED ZONE,8000 RPMS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, MY ENGINE WAS DEEMED RUINED. THE ROD, PISTONS AND BEARINGS WERE SHOT, NOT DUE TO LACK OF MAINTANENCE. THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE THROTTLE. NONE OF THIS SHOULD OF OCCURRED IN A CAR THAT IS STILL SOMEWHAT NEW. PLEASE RESPOND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #717393

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1999
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED POWER WINDOWS , INTERIOR LIGHTS AND POWER DOOR LOCKS TO FAIL. YH

NHTSA ODI #549999

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

ENGINE OIL LEAK LOOKS AS IF THE OIL FILTER IS LEAKING BUT IS COMING FROM THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER LINES SERVICE ADVISORS AND MANAGERS ALL KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME WHAT IT WAS WITHOUT LOOKING AT VEHICLE THEY SAID IT WAS COMMON ON ALL BLAZERS CHEVROLET DENIED ANY PROBLEM FUEL GAUGE STOPPED RECORDING BELOW HALF AND WOULD GO …

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ENGINE OIL LEAK LOOKS AS IF THE OIL FILTER IS LEAKING BUT IS COMING FROM THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER LINES SERVICE ADVISORS AND MANAGERS ALL KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME WHAT IT WAS WITHOUT LOOKING AT VEHICLE THEY SAID IT WAS COMMON ON ALL BLAZERS CHEVROLET DENIED ANY PROBLEM FUEL GAUGE STOPPED RECORDING BELOW HALF AND WOULD GO BACK UP TO FULL AT TIMES GAS PEDAL WOULD BE HARD TO PRESS AND FINALLY WOULD STICK AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ENGINE COOLANT COOLANT LOOKS RUSTY IN THE OVERFLOW TANK AND CORRODED AROUND RADIATOR CAP DIRECTLY BEHIND THE STICKER THAT READS NO MATIENCE REQUIRED FOR 5 YRS. 150,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #714986

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.