IllustrationTHE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL#01I01800 CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK *TS *JB
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
What owners actually said
768 reportsWINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. YOU CAN STILL HEAR THE MOTOR WORKING, BUT THE WIPERS WON'T ENGAGE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE . FIRE STARTED FROM THE FRONT AREA,UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE . CAUSE OF FIRE UNKNOWN.*AK
MY 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER (LS) WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION (PICTURES CAN BE PROVIDED AFTER 7/19/03 VIA EMAIL) OF THE DAMAGE. I WAS TOLD BY THE FIRE AND PARAMEDICS AS WELL AS THE TOW COMPANY AND POLICE OFFICERS THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AS AT LEAST TWO OF THE SENSORS WERE IMPACTED.*JB
CONSUMER STATES WHILE USING WINDSHEILD WIPERS AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT CONSUMER HIT HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
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
CONSUMER STATES THAT GEAR SHIFT CAN BE PULLED DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. DEALER NOTIFED.*AK
VEHICLE'S LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT SNAPPED. *MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. SOON AFTER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE UPPER BALL JOINT (RECALL # 01048). THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS ALREADY MAD…
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VEHICLE'S LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT SNAPPED. *MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. SOON AFTER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE UPPER BALL JOINT (RECALL # 01048). THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS ALREADY MADE BUT WAS DENIED. *SCC *NLM
THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. AK PH *JB
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.