IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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 reportsLEFT FRONT IMPACT TO ROCK HILLSIDE FAILED TO DEPLOY DRIVERS AIR BAG. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 TO 35 MPH CONSUMER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, PASSENGER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE HIT A FENCE AND RESTED ON A TREE. THERE WAS ONLY ONE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE, AND AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, IT HAD A 3,000MILE 30 DAY WARRANTY ON IT, 60000MILES. 1ST OCCURRENCE WITH ENGINE LIGHT AND DIPSTICK CORROSION WAS WITHIN THAT TIME. DOWN TIME FOR THE TRUCK ONE WEEK. THE NEXT MONTH, I WAS ENROUTE AND THE LIGHT TRIGGERED AGAIN. TOOK TRUCK TO LOCAL CHEVY DEALER WHO HAD LOOKED AT DIPSTICK BEFORE REPLACEMENT…
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WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, IT HAD A 3,000MILE 30 DAY WARRANTY ON IT, 60000MILES. 1ST OCCURRENCE WITH ENGINE LIGHT AND DIPSTICK CORROSION WAS WITHIN THAT TIME. DOWN TIME FOR THE TRUCK ONE WEEK. THE NEXT MONTH, I WAS ENROUTE AND THE LIGHT TRIGGERED AGAIN. TOOK TRUCK TO LOCAL CHEVY DEALER WHO HAD LOOKED AT DIPSTICK BEFORE REPLACEMENT, STATED SAME DIPSTICK. AT THIS POINT I CALLED CHEVROLET COMPANY WHO TOLD ME THE $1800 DAMAGE BILL CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE DIPSTICK AND SUBSEQUENT TRANSMISSION DAMAGE WOULD BE MINE TO COVER.ALL BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED THE FIRST TIME.*AK
THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY FOR REIMBURSEMENT IS TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP INSPECT VEHICLE AT A COST OF $240 TO SEE IF THE PART WAS REPLACED WITH A GM PART.*JB
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD GAVE OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED CIRCUIT BOARD WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS ELECTRICAL. *AK
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BLAZERS HAVE AN INHERENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, DUE TO A RUSTY DIPSTICK TUBE. I CURRENTLY HAVE 124K MILES ON MY CAR AND I TOO HAVE NOTICED ON LONG TRIPS THAT MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 1ST INTO 2ND. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING, BUT I WILL KEEP DRIVING IT UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FAILS COMPL…
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I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BLAZERS HAVE AN INHERENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, DUE TO A RUSTY DIPSTICK TUBE. I CURRENTLY HAVE 124K MILES ON MY CAR AND I TOO HAVE NOTICED ON LONG TRIPS THAT MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 1ST INTO 2ND. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING, BUT I WILL KEEP DRIVING IT UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FAILS COMPLETELY.*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 01V200000 NOTICE CONCERNING LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE. CONSUMER REPAIRED RECALL PROBLEM IN FEBRUARY PRIOR TO RECALL. CONSUMER WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, BUT CHEVROLET REFUSED TO REIMBURSE BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT USE GMC PARTS. *AK
WHILE CHECKING FLUID LEVELS, CONSUMERS SON, WHO IS A MECHANIC, NOTICED RUST IN THE RADIATOR FLUID, HE ALSO FOUND TSB 666841 REGARDING RUST IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM, CONSUMER HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET GM TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE SAFETY FACTORS IT COULD CAUSE, HOWEVER IT IS VERY COSTLY, GM HAS NOT BEEN OF ANY ASSISTANCE BECA…
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WHILE CHECKING FLUID LEVELS, CONSUMERS SON, WHO IS A MECHANIC, NOTICED RUST IN THE RADIATOR FLUID, HE ALSO FOUND TSB 666841 REGARDING RUST IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM, CONSUMER HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET GM TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE SAFETY FACTORS IT COULD CAUSE, HOWEVER IT IS VERY COSTLY, GM HAS NOT BEEN OF ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CONSUMER IS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *SLC
#1-INCORRECT READING OF FUEL GUAGE (FAILURE) OF GAS TANK SENDING UNIT. REPLACE GAS TANK SENDING UNIT 8/28/01 MI. 23,071 @ SYLVESTOR CHEV. PEEKVILLE PA. TOTAL COST $665.89 #2-GAS LEAKS WHENEVER FILLING UP AT PUMP CAUSE-RUBBER SEAL SUCKED IN FROM SUCTION OF FUEL PUMP, REMEDY-RESEAL SENDING UNIT, REGLUE SEAL, MI. @ TIME OF THIS …
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#1-INCORRECT READING OF FUEL GUAGE (FAILURE) OF GAS TANK SENDING UNIT. REPLACE GAS TANK SENDING UNIT 8/28/01 MI. 23,071 @ SYLVESTOR CHEV. PEEKVILLE PA. TOTAL COST $665.89 #2-GAS LEAKS WHENEVER FILLING UP AT PUMP CAUSE-RUBBER SEAL SUCKED IN FROM SUCTION OF FUEL PUMP, REMEDY-RESEAL SENDING UNIT, REGLUE SEAL, MI. @ TIME OF THIS PROBLEM 31,283 TOTAL COST $115.00 #3-WINDSHIELS WIPERS WERE INTERMIT. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, STARTED TO RAIN-WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE-HAD TO WAIT OUT STORM ON SIDE OF ROAD, BUT THE NEXT DAY WIPERS WERE OPERABLE. SOMEDAYS THEY WORKED & OTHERDAYS THEY WOULDN'T WORK CAUSE-DELAY BOARD SHORTED OUT-REPLACED DELAY BOARD @ COST OF $80.98, MI. @ TIME OF FAILURE APPROX. 28,000. ALL OF THE ABOVE ITEMS WERE SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP.
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.