IllustrationWHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND HAD IDLE AIR CONTROL REPLACED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK
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 reportsCONSUMER 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
CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIRS ON RADIATOR. NOTICE RECEIVED FOR RADIATOR TO BE FLUSHED, BUT MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER ADDED THAT PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED AFTER VEHICLE RAN OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFOMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WAS NOT WORKING RIGHTLY. AT SAME HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THEN ,TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR UPPER BALLS JOINT. BUT, MECHANIC SAID THAT LOWER BALLS JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED SEVEN DAYS BEFOR,E AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT OWNER'S ESPENCE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY, DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM.*AK
WHEN RECALL 01I018000 REPAIRS ON UPPER BALL JOINT WERE DONE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL.*AK
RE: RECALL ID 3'S 01L08000 & 01V200000, DEALER CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THESE RECALLS. INDEPENDENT REVIEW SHOWS THAT BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM NEEDS REPLACING AT LESS THAN 50K MILES. WILL RECALL BE EXPANDED?*AK
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT PROBLEM IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH BOTH CURRENT AND FORMER OWNER. 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS PUT THER SCANNERS ON THE VEHICLE AND KEEP BRINGING UP THE OXYGEN SENSOR AS THE PROBLEM. HAD ONE BAD SENSOR AT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG WHICH WAS POORLY ASSEMBLED AT THE FACTOR CAUSING WATER TO GET TO THE CONTACTS AND CONTAMI…
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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT PROBLEM IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH BOTH CURRENT AND FORMER OWNER. 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS PUT THER SCANNERS ON THE VEHICLE AND KEEP BRINGING UP THE OXYGEN SENSOR AS THE PROBLEM. HAD ONE BAD SENSOR AT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG WHICH WAS POORLY ASSEMBLED AT THE FACTOR CAUSING WATER TO GET TO THE CONTACTS AND CONTAMINATED THE CONNECTOR. REPLACED ALL 4 O2 SENSORS AND STILL CANNOT GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO AWAY. VEHICLE PERFORMS PERFECT ALONG WITH 24 MPG GAS ONE HIGHWAY DRIVING. THIS IS AN ISSUES OTHER BLAZER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE.*AK
IDLER ARM FAILED PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION AT 22,000 MILES!! COST ME $106 TO REPLACE. MECHANIC SAID HE HAS REPLACED A FEW OF THESE ON OTHER BLAZERS, BUT NEVER WITH SUCH LOW MILES ON IT
TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING AT 25,000 IN AUGUST 2001 ON A 1997 BLAZER. !ST REPAIR FOUND TRANSMISSION COOLER CLOGGED WITH BLUE PLASTIC, MECHANIC THINKS IT WAS PART OF A PLASTIC CAP TO CVER ENDS OF COOLER ASSY BEFORE IT WAS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY COST TO REPLACE COOLER AND SERVICE TRANSMISSION $290 2 WEEKS LATER TRANSMISSI…
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TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING AT 25,000 IN AUGUST 2001 ON A 1997 BLAZER. !ST REPAIR FOUND TRANSMISSION COOLER CLOGGED WITH BLUE PLASTIC, MECHANIC THINKS IT WAS PART OF A PLASTIC CAP TO CVER ENDS OF COOLER ASSY BEFORE IT WAS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY COST TO REPLACE COOLER AND SERVICE TRANSMISSION $290 2 WEEKS LATER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAME BACK - HITS GEARS HARD AND WHEN MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURN WITH OUT STOPPING AND APPLYING GAS AFTER TURN TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. TRANSMISSION SHOP TORN DOWN TRANSMISSION FOUN RUSTY DIP STICK, ALOT OF BURN MARKS ON VARIOUS PARTS, SCREENS CLOGGED WITH DIST SUBSTANCE, METAL GRINDINGS IN PAN, VALVE ASSY RUSTY, REPLACED CONVERTER TOTAL COST $1717 DROVE VEHICLE 1 DAY PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN (SLIPPING) MECHANIC AT HIS COST CHANGED CONVERTER AND CHECKED HIS WORK FOUND EVERYTHING OK -RESULTS STILL SLIPPING. MECHANIC TOLD ME AT MY COST I NEED TO REPLACE THE PUMP IN THE TRANSMISSION SAID THIS IS UNUSUAL TO HAVE TO REPLACE. TOLD ME NEW PUNP FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS QUOTED TO HIM AT $800. I WAS SO SICK OVER THIS, STRESSED OUYT AND COULD NOT SLEEP FOR NIGHTS DECIDED TO CHANCE IT AT GET A USED XMISSION FROM JUNKJARD AND TAKE THE PUMP OUT $400. MECHANIC DID NOT CHARGE ME LABOR TO PUT THE PUMP IN TOTAL BILL = $2407 THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC SAID IN ALL THE 25+ YRS REBUILDING TRANSMISSIONS HE NEVER EXPERENCED ANY THING LIKE THIS. THIS IS A CRIME FOR GM TO NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THESE FAILURES KNOWING SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING SIMULR PROBLEMS IN THE BLAZERS.*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.