IllustrationPOWER SEAT FAILURE.
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 reportsVEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHOUT A KEY ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN TWO KIDS WERE PLAYING INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND THEY MOVE THE PAWL WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE BRAKES PEDAL, AS SPECIFIED ON THE OWNER MANUAL THAT BRAKES PEDAL SHOULD BE PRESS TO MOVE PAWL. *AK
MY CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. IT SPED UP ON ITS OWN AND I WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE IT EITHER BY THE BRAKE OR BY TURENING IT OFF. FINALLY I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A SEMI. I WOULDN'T MIND IF THE CRUISE JUST STOPPED WORKING, HOWEVER, THI…
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MY CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. IT SPED UP ON ITS OWN AND I WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE IT EITHER BY THE BRAKE OR BY TURENING IT OFF. FINALLY I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A SEMI. I WOULDN'T MIND IF THE CRUISE JUST STOPPED WORKING, HOWEVER, THIS SITUATION ALMOST KILLED ME. THE VEHICLE GOT UP TO IN EXCESS OF 90 MILES AN HOUR BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT. I TRIED TO CONTACT YOU ONCE BEFORE AND I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK. CHEVY BASICLY TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE DIED. I AM ALSO CONTACTING THE CONSUMERS UNION SINCE YOU DON'T CARE IF OTHER PEOAPLE DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT
POPPING NOISE IS COMING FROM FRONT END, CAUSING MAJOR ERRACTIC TIRE WEAR . DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT. *AK
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WILL NOT ACTIVATE RIGHT AWAY, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE ON SLIPPERY ROADS WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION. *YC CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO TRADE VEHICLE BACK TO ORIGINAL DEALER FOR A SAFER VEHICLE. *SLC
ABS BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION ON TWO OCCASIONS, RECALL ON ABS SYSTEM HOWEVER VEHICLE NO INCLUDED DUE TO MODEL YEAR. MJS
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD AFTER SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR. BEEN TO DEALER. INFORMED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP & HAD IT REPLACED W/REBUILT TRANSMISSION WHICH IS SLIPPING. TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. *AK
WAS COMING TO RED LIGHT AFTER TRAVELING 40MPH & PROCEEDED TO APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT TIME OF IMPACT. *AK
BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AT 26000 MILES RESULTING IN DANGEROUS LOSS OF PEDAL PRESSURE.. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT MIDAS WITH A GENUINE CHEVROLET REPLACEMENT PART. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER IN A BOX IN MY GARAGE. WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN EXAMINING THIS PART? I WOULD BE WILLING TO SHIP IT TO YO…
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BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AT 26000 MILES RESULTING IN DANGEROUS LOSS OF PEDAL PRESSURE.. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT MIDAS WITH A GENUINE CHEVROLET REPLACEMENT PART. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER IN A BOX IN MY GARAGE. WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN EXAMINING THIS PART? I WOULD BE WILLING TO SHIP IT TO YOU. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF BRAKE FAILURES AND PROBLEMS WITH CHEVY BLAZERS, THIS SHOULD BE WORTH LOOKING INTO BEFORE A BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE KILLS OR INJURES SOMEONE. WHEN THIS PART FAILED, IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
COMPLAINT IS REGARDING POOR BRAKE LIFE. FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR REPLACEMENT AT 38000 MILES INDICATES A POOR QUALITY FROM THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER. ASSOCIATES REPORTED THE SAME CONDITION AND REPAIR AFTER 36000 MILES ON SIMILAR VEHICLE.
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.