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 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2002
Power TrainSteering
MY '1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER LOST ITS CONTROL AFTER FAILING ITS RIGHT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT OF KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY. RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS OFF THE GROUND AND THE RH FRT KNUCKLE SCRUBBED THE INSIDE OF TIRE RIM. THE CHEVROLET DEALER INFORM ME TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINT AS A RECALL ITEM. AND THEY CHARGE ME FOR ALL THE OTHER DAMAGED …
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MY '1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER LOST ITS CONTROL AFTER FAILING ITS RIGHT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT OF KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY. RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS OFF THE GROUND AND THE RH FRT KNUCKLE SCRUBBED THE INSIDE OF TIRE RIM. THE CHEVROLET DEALER INFORM ME TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINT AS A RECALL ITEM. AND THEY CHARGE ME FOR ALL THE OTHER DAMAGED PARTS. SECOND PROBLEM: THE GEAR SHIFTING LEVER DID NOT GO TO THE RIGHT POSITION ON THE PRINDLE DURING MY DRIVING. I ASKED THE CHEVY DEALER TO FIX IT. THEY OPEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEY TOLD ME THEY FIXED IT. THE SAME DAY, MY TRANSMISSION WAS ENGAGED INTO DIFFERENT GEARS AGAINST MY INTENTION DURING DRVING CONDITION. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MAKE A KICKING SOUND ON THE ROAD BESIDES SHIFTING INTO ANY GEARAS AND MAKING SERIOUS METALLIC NOISE ON THE FREE WAY. THE CHEVY DEALER RECOMMENDED ME MY VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND I HAD TO PAY FOR IT AFTER PAYING FOR INSTRUMENT PANEL FIX, REPLACEMENT OF TORQUE CONVERTER AND TOWING FROM TENNESSEE TO DETROIT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761071
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2002
Suspension
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AS HAVING DEFECTIVE UPPER BALL JOINTS. AFTER INVESTIGATION INTO A SIMILAR RECALL ON GM VEHICLES I FIND THAT THEY ARE REPLACING THESE BALL JOINTS ON MY YEAR AND MAKE OF VEHICLE.THE PROBLEM IS THAT I'M TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL IN THE RECALL VIN NUMBERS. WELL WHO DE…
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MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AS HAVING DEFECTIVE UPPER BALL JOINTS. AFTER INVESTIGATION INTO A SIMILAR RECALL ON GM VEHICLES I FIND THAT THEY ARE REPLACING THESE BALL JOINTS ON MY YEAR AND MAKE OF VEHICLE.THE PROBLEM IS THAT I'M TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL IN THE RECALL VIN NUMBERS. WELL WHO DECIDES WHAT VIN NUMBERS SHOULD BE COVERED AND IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY MADE THE CUTOFF AT THE WRONG POINT? I NEED TO HAVE THESE REPAIRS DONE AND I FEEL THAT EVERY VEHICLE MADE IN THAT YEAR SHOULD BE COVERED. PLEASE FORWARD THESE COMMENTS TO ANYONE THAT COULD HELP AND ESPECIALLY TO ALL CHEVROLET MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS.I GUESS ITS TIME TO BUY A FORD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761067
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK AT 10-15 MPH ON WET ROAD THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8008298
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2002
Suspension
CONSUMER STATES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINT DISLOCATING. NLM
NHTSA ODI #8007887
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE MECHANIC NOTICED COOLING LINES WERE LEAKING, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8007086
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL PUMP SENSOR QUIT WORKING. NO WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #760462
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2002
Wheels
AT APPROXIMATELY 5 AM WHILE DRIVING EAST ON I-84 IN OREGON I WAS NEGOTIATING A CURVE IN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN A HEARD VIBRATION AND SECONDS LATER MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BECAME DETATCHED COMPLETELY. A STATE PATROL OFFICER STOPPED AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK FOR ME TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. AFTER 2 DAYS OF REPAIRS I WAS…
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AT APPROXIMATELY 5 AM WHILE DRIVING EAST ON I-84 IN OREGON I WAS NEGOTIATING A CURVE IN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN A HEARD VIBRATION AND SECONDS LATER MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BECAME DETATCHED COMPLETELY. A STATE PATROL OFFICER STOPPED AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK FOR ME TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. AFTER 2 DAYS OF REPAIRS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BACK HOME. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS$798.95. THE WORK THAT WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE WAS: RELACED ROTOR, REPLACED BALL JOINT, REPLACED SPINDEL (STEERING KNUCKLE), LUGS, LUG NUTS, CAPS, WHEEL AND TIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #760434
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2002
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8006760
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED A RUPTURED FUEL INJECTION LINE. FUEL BACKED UP TO THE COMPUTER MODULE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IF IGNITED. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN TO THIS DEGREE.*AK GM WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS TO BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE …
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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED A RUPTURED FUEL INJECTION LINE. FUEL BACKED UP TO THE COMPUTER MODULE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IF IGNITED. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN TO THIS DEGREE.*AK GM WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS TO BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN MAKING REPAIRES. *MJ
NHTSA ODI #8005466
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2002
SuspensionTires
HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED FOR AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL, NOTICED HOWEVER THAT AS A RESULT OF RECALL REPAIRS FRONT TWO TIRES HAVE AN UNEVEN WEAR ON THEM. MANUFACTURER STATED DID NOT HAVE TO DO AN ALIGNMENT ON VEHICLE AFTER REPLACING UPPER BALL JOINT. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
1997 Chevrolet Blazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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