1998 CHEVY BLAZER WITH MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS, WHICH CHEVY DENIES. INCLUDING WIPER FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE, COMPLETE CORROSION OF ANYTHING TOUCHED BY DEXCOOL, AND ON AND ON. VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE!!!!! *NM
1998 Chevrolet Blazer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Blazer years
Owner complaints for the 1998 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
269 reports with mileage · 447 unknown
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.
- Visibility. Review the 256 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
25 reportsI OWN A 1998 CHEVY BLAZER LT (4WD). THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR BEGAN TO DROP AN INCH OR TWO SEVERAL MONTHS AGO EVERY TIME IT IS OPENED. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT THE DOOR WON'T SHUT, BECAUSE THE LATCH IS HITTING THE FRAME AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE EVERY TIME IT IS CLOSED. SEVERAL DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS HAVE STATED THAT THE DOOR…
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I OWN A 1998 CHEVY BLAZER LT (4WD). THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR BEGAN TO DROP AN INCH OR TWO SEVERAL MONTHS AGO EVERY TIME IT IS OPENED. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT THE DOOR WON'T SHUT, BECAUSE THE LATCH IS HITTING THE FRAME AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE EVERY TIME IT IS CLOSED. SEVERAL DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS HAVE STATED THAT THE DOOR IS TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS TO BE WELDED BACK ON. I HAVE ANOTHER GM TRUCK IN MY FAMILY (1997 GMC JIMMY) THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER BLAZER/JIMMY OWNERS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AND DEALT WITH BY GM. I WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SUBMIT SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IN COMPARING THIS AREA OF THE VEHICLE TO OTHERS, IT APPEARS AS THOUGH PROPER SUPPORT FOR THE DOOR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN MANUFACTURING. I REQUEST THAT THIS PROBLEM BE LOOKED INTO AND PROPER RECALLS ISSUED. *NM
WE BOUGHT A 1998 CHEVY BLAZER ON DECEMBER 1, 2204, THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD, THE WIPERS WON'T WORK, WIPER MODULE, AND OIL LEAKS FROM THE OIL COOLER. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LEAKS AIR BADLY. *NM WIPERS QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A SNOW STORM, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK THE VEHICLE.
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WITH VIOLENT VIBRATION WHEN GOING OVER 45 MPH. HAVE REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS, NEW TIRES AND HAD VEHICLE ALIGNED 2 TIMES. TWO SHOPS STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO. BOTH FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BASE WAS OFF. THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE IS 1/4" SHORTER THAN THE LEFT. HAD VEHICLE INSPEC…
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VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WITH VIOLENT VIBRATION WHEN GOING OVER 45 MPH. HAVE REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS, NEW TIRES AND HAD VEHICLE ALIGNED 2 TIMES. TWO SHOPS STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO. BOTH FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BASE WAS OFF. THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE IS 1/4" SHORTER THAN THE LEFT. HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED TO SEE IF IT HAD BEEN WRECKED. TWO BODY SHOPS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO VISUAL SIGNS OF A WRECK. THE CARFAX REPORT CAME BACK THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO WRECKS. BODY SHOPS ALSO STATED THAT PUTTING THE VEHICLE ON A FRAME PULLER WOULD NOT HELP BECAUSE AFTER TAKING IT OFF THE FRAME WOULD MOST LIKELY GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS. WENT AHEAD AND TRIED AND THE WERE BOTH RIGHT. HAVE SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF SPEAKING WITH CHEVROLET HEADQUARTERS. ANY IDEA ON WHAT TO DO? THINKING OF CONTACTING MY LAWYER.*AK
1. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINER LEVERS HAVE BROKEN OVER LAST FEW YRS, DRIVERS SIDE REPLACED 3 TIMES, I HAD TO PAY 100. DEDUCTIBLE TO FIX EACH TIME. 2. FUEL GUAGE INDICATOR SHOWED FUEL TANK 1/'2 FULL, NO GAS IN THE TANK,CAR STOPPED IN A DARK STREET IN AN UNSAFE PART OF TOWN, HAD TO PAY $100. DEDUCTIBLE TO FIX, NO WARNING L…
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1. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINER LEVERS HAVE BROKEN OVER LAST FEW YRS, DRIVERS SIDE REPLACED 3 TIMES, I HAD TO PAY 100. DEDUCTIBLE TO FIX EACH TIME. 2. FUEL GUAGE INDICATOR SHOWED FUEL TANK 1/'2 FULL, NO GAS IN THE TANK,CAR STOPPED IN A DARK STREET IN AN UNSAFE PART OF TOWN, HAD TO PAY $100. DEDUCTIBLE TO FIX, NO WARNING LIGHTS TO SHOW GAS EMPTY, CAR JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED. 3.REAR TRUNK LATCH WOULD NOT WORK, HAD TO PAY DEDUCTIBLE FOR DEALER TO FIX. 4. WINDSHIIELD WIPER MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING, DEALER REPLACED AFTER WE PAID DEDUCTIBLE. 5. CURRENTLY THERE IS A RUBBING NOISE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED, CAR NO LONGER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER'S ATTN SEV TIMES BEFORE WARRNTY EXPIRED, DEALER MECH COULD FIND NO PROBLM. *AK
FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH DUE TO THE BODY OF THE STRIKE PLATE ON DRIVER'S SIDE CAVING IN. *AK THERE WAS A CRACK AROUND THE STICKER PLATE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER SIDE STICKER PLATE. THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME AFTER ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE. TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR RATTLING O…
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FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH DUE TO THE BODY OF THE STRIKE PLATE ON DRIVER'S SIDE CAVING IN. *AK THERE WAS A CRACK AROUND THE STICKER PLATE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER SIDE STICKER PLATE. THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME AFTER ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE. TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR RATTLING ON THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE ENCODER MOTOR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AFTER THE MODULE SHORTED, THE STABILIZER LINK NUTS WERE MISSING, THE LEFT DOOR WOULD RATTLE WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, WHEN BRAKING, A SQUEALING NOISE WAS HEARD, THERE WAS A HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CHANGING THE REVERSE, THE "TRIP METER" WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WAS A RATTLE IN THE DASH WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK, THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD OPEN BY ITSELF, AND THE TAIL GATE RATTLED. *SC *JB
LOUD SOUND DURING ACCELERATION (CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOT AGAIN NOT REPLACED, CONTACTING GM, NO ASSISTANCE), OIL LEAK ON FRONT OF ENGINE (POWER STEERING PULLY SHAFT SEAL), NOISY AC COMPRESSOR(REPLACE), FLUID LEAK ON FRONT OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL (REPLACE YOKE AND SEAL [2ND SEAL]), REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUNKS ON ACCELERATION (CHANGE CAS…
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LOUD SOUND DURING ACCELERATION (CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOT AGAIN NOT REPLACED, CONTACTING GM, NO ASSISTANCE), OIL LEAK ON FRONT OF ENGINE (POWER STEERING PULLY SHAFT SEAL), NOISY AC COMPRESSOR(REPLACE), FLUID LEAK ON FRONT OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL (REPLACE YOKE AND SEAL [2ND SEAL]), REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUNKS ON ACCELERATION (CHANGE CASE AND SHAFT BEARING), DASH GRILL CRACKED, IDELER ARM REPLACED AGAIN. *LA
PASSENGER SEAT RECLINER LEVER BROKE OFF, REAR DIFFERENTIAL FRONT SEAL LEAKING, TEMPERATURE DISPLAY CHANGES TO CELSIUS WHEN RAINING, TAILGATE COVER BROKE. *LA
COMPLAINT 1: HOOD LATCH PROBLEM!!! THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM GM VEHICLES HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR AT LEAST 25 YEARS!!!!! THE HOOD WILL NOT RELEASE UNLESS YOU PULL THE RELEASE LEVER AND POUND ON THE HOOD. YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BORROW OR USE FORDS SYSTEM OF BETTER PARTS!!!!-----COMPLAINT 2: THE DOOR PANELS HAVE A WEAK AREA WHERE T…
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COMPLAINT 1: HOOD LATCH PROBLEM!!! THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM GM VEHICLES HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR AT LEAST 25 YEARS!!!!! THE HOOD WILL NOT RELEASE UNLESS YOU PULL THE RELEASE LEVER AND POUND ON THE HOOD. YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BORROW OR USE FORDS SYSTEM OF BETTER PARTS!!!!-----COMPLAINT 2: THE DOOR PANELS HAVE A WEAK AREA WHERE THE KNEE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH IT ON TURNS, MINE CRACKED REAL BAD!!! COMPLAINT 3: MAIN COMPLAINT:--THE HEATER CORE STARTED LEAKING AND FOGGED MY WINDSHIELD UP SO BAD I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT!!! I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON HWY. 69 AT MCALESTER OK. AND HAD TO PULL OFF AND WOUND UP CUTTING THE HOSES AND SPLICING TO KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO HEATER CORE, THIS WAS ON LABOR DAY 2003. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THE CARMAKER WILL CORRECT FOR ME FOR FREE. I KNOW THAT HEATER CORES SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 10 YEARS IF NOT MORE. THIS CAUSED ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS!!!! I CHECKED INTO A NEW HEATER CORE AT 2 AUTO PARTS STORES, AUTO-ZONE AND O'REILLEY'S AND THEY BOTH SAID IT WAS UNAVAILABLE .????? PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS. THANK YOU, REGGIE HOLLAND. *JB
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCKS, THEY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN, WITH THE ENGINE ON OR OFF.*YH
Official recalls
300V220000 · Exterior Lighting
Aug 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
98V053000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Mar 9, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
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
1RQ02012 · Front Control Arm Ball Joints
Opened Sep 10, 2002 · Closed Mar 7, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
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Additional source detail variants (7)
Suspension:front:control Arm
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Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
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Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
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Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm
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Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
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Suspension:front
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Suspension
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Illustration