IllustrationWINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR WILL SOMETIMES NOT WORK AT ALL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT TAPPING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BOX GENTLY WILL USUALLY GET THE WIPERS TO WORK. *SCC
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
Visibility complaints
129 reportsWHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER COULD NEVER CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOWS, AND ALSO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEAL LEAKED AND WAS REPLACED.*YH
CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON HEATER CORE. DEALER FOUND OUT THAT HEATER CORE WAS RUSTED/ HAD CLOGGED RADIATOR, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY, DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO GET OUT VEHICLE AND TOUCH MODULE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDOW WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. *YD
THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM. I LITERALLY NEED TO GET OUT OF THE TRCK AND PULL UP ON THE BLADES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FUNCTION - OR CONSTANTLY TURN THE KNOB ON AND OFF, UNTIL THE WIPERS "CATCH". THERE HAS BEEN INSTANCES WHILE DRIVING AND THE WIPERS FUNCTIONING THAT THEY LITERALLY STOP IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. I KNOW THERE HAS …
Read full complaint
THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM. I LITERALLY NEED TO GET OUT OF THE TRCK AND PULL UP ON THE BLADES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FUNCTION - OR CONSTANTLY TURN THE KNOB ON AND OFF, UNTIL THE WIPERS "CATCH". THERE HAS BEEN INSTANCES WHILE DRIVING AND THE WIPERS FUNCTIONING THAT THEY LITERALLY STOP IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 1996 MODELS - HOWEVER THE 1997 WAS NOT INCLUDED. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM!*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY ANYMORE. THEY WILL TURN ON, AND WILL STOP, THEN START TO WORK, THEN STOP, IF I TURN THEM OFF, THEY KEEP WORKING (THEY ARE STILL ON WITH THE SWITCH ON THE "OFF" POSITION) AND WILL STOP AT VARIOUS PLACES ON THE WINDSHIELD, OFTEN IN A "STRAIGHT UP" POSITION, WHICH BLOCKS DRIVER VIEW. WHEN TU…
Read full complaint
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY ANYMORE. THEY WILL TURN ON, AND WILL STOP, THEN START TO WORK, THEN STOP, IF I TURN THEM OFF, THEY KEEP WORKING (THEY ARE STILL ON WITH THE SWITCH ON THE "OFF" POSITION) AND WILL STOP AT VARIOUS PLACES ON THE WINDSHIELD, OFTEN IN A "STRAIGHT UP" POSITION, WHICH BLOCKS DRIVER VIEW. WHEN TURNED ON AGAIN TO FIX, THEY OFTEN STOP IN THE SAME PLACE. THIS CAN GO ON FOR SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET THEM TO STOP (REST) IN THE PROPER PLACE. ALSO, TURNING THEM ON DELAY WILL NOT WORK ANYMORE. THEY SEEM TO WORK WITH NO DELAY, OR THEY WILL STOP COMPLETELY ON THEIR OWN. I SEE A RECALL FOR WIPERS FOR THE SAME VEHICLE, PREVIOUS YEARS, IS THERE ANY CHANCE THE 97 BLAZER (I HAVE A 2-DR.) HAS THE SAME PROBLEM? THANK YOU.*AK
I WAS OUTSIDE OF THE PARKED VEHICLE AND I PRESSED ON THE BUTTON (KEY HOLE) TO OPEN THE BACK GLASS (WINDOW) AND IT BURST IN MY FACE GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE FOR NO REASON. NOTHING WAS TOUCHING THE GLASS AT ALL. I HAVE TWO OTHERS WHO WITTNESSED THIS AND GM IS DECLINING MY REQUEST TO REPLACE IT. I FEEL THIS HAD TO BE A DEFECT I…
Read full complaint
I WAS OUTSIDE OF THE PARKED VEHICLE AND I PRESSED ON THE BUTTON (KEY HOLE) TO OPEN THE BACK GLASS (WINDOW) AND IT BURST IN MY FACE GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE FOR NO REASON. NOTHING WAS TOUCHING THE GLASS AT ALL. I HAVE TWO OTHERS WHO WITTNESSED THIS AND GM IS DECLINING MY REQUEST TO REPLACE IT. I FEEL THIS HAD TO BE A DEFECT IN THE GLASS I DIDNT DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN OTHER THAN PRESSED ON THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE WINDOW.*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.