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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 →

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.

46 crash reports15 fire reports31 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

12 reports
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30,029 miles · Jul 20, 2004
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER FOUR TIMES. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE BODY INJURIES, WHICH INCLUDED ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN STITCHES AND HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR ELEVEN DAYS. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORM…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER FOUR TIMES. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE BODY INJURIES, WHICH INCLUDED ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN STITCHES AND HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR ELEVEN DAYS. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10083272

93,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

MY WIFE WAS IN DANGER DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN SHE BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER ROUTE (ANOTHER SHOP), WHICH WAS HUTCHENS CHEVROLET. THEY TOLD MY WIFE AND GAVE HER THE PAPER WORK STATING THAT, THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE AND SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER IF CONTINUED DRIVING IT. WHEN HE WAS TOLD OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS, (THE CAR DEALERSHIP OWNER)…

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MY WIFE WAS IN DANGER DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN SHE BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER ROUTE (ANOTHER SHOP), WHICH WAS HUTCHENS CHEVROLET. THEY TOLD MY WIFE AND GAVE HER THE PAPER WORK STATING THAT, THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE AND SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER IF CONTINUED DRIVING IT. WHEN HE WAS TOLD OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS, (THE CAR DEALERSHIP OWNER) HE INSTRUCTED MY WIFE TO TAKE IT TO HIS OWN AUTO REPAIR SHOP, WHEN MY WIFE GOT THE TRUCK BACK, IT WAS IN THE SAME STATE NOT EVERYTHING WAS FIXED. THE WORK WAS COMPLETED AT HUTCHENS. THE WORK HAD TO HAVE COST ABOUT $378.00. AND THERE ARE MORE TROUBLES WITH THE TRUCK, I SEE SIGNS OF RUST AND CORROSION, THERE ARE VIBRATIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCESS OF 60 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10071173

62,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. THEY STOP WORKING AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIMES...LIKE WHEN THERE IS A RAIN FALL AND THEY ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY AND VISIBILITY. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL. THE RECALL IS AVAILABLE ON 94 TO 96 MODELS. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTUR…

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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. THEY STOP WORKING AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIMES...LIKE WHEN THERE IS A RAIN FALL AND THEY ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY AND VISIBILITY. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL. THE RECALL IS AVAILABLE ON 94 TO 96 MODELS. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURE DATE ON MY VEHICLE IS 2/17/1997. IN A TORRENTIAL RAIN FALL, GOING 50 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE W/S WIPERS STOPPED, IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN AN 18 WHEELER PASSED MY SON, WHOM WAS DRIVING AND SPLASHED EXTRA WATER ON THE VEHICLE. LUCKLY HE MAINTAINED CONTROL AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10070519

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2004
Unknown Or Other

2 YEARS AGO IN THE FALL, I WENT TO FIRESTONE WITH A COMPLAINT OF NO HEAT. WITH NO HEAT, THE DEFROSTERS ARE SLOW OR DO NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD IN A QUICK OR SAFE MANNER. FIRESTONE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND I HAD SUFFICIENT (NOT HOT LIKE IN THE PAST) HEAT UNTIL THIS PAST NOVEMBER. AGAIN WITH NO HEAT OR EFFICIENT DEFROSTERS, …

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2 YEARS AGO IN THE FALL, I WENT TO FIRESTONE WITH A COMPLAINT OF NO HEAT. WITH NO HEAT, THE DEFROSTERS ARE SLOW OR DO NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD IN A QUICK OR SAFE MANNER. FIRESTONE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND I HAD SUFFICIENT (NOT HOT LIKE IN THE PAST) HEAT UNTIL THIS PAST NOVEMBER. AGAIN WITH NO HEAT OR EFFICIENT DEFROSTERS, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO WILSON'S AUTO SERVICE. THEY SAID MY THERMOSTAT WAS COMPLETELY OPEN--THE SPRING WAS CAUGHT. THEY PERFORMED SERVICE TO THE EXTENT OF REPLACING THE THERMOSTAT AND BACKFLUSHING THE HEATER CORE. THIS SEEMED TO HELP SOME UNTIL IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT COLDER WEATHER. LAST WEEK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHED 15 DEGREES IN THE MORNING AND I LET MY VEHICLE "WARM UP" FOR 20 MINUTES, THE INTERIOR WAS STILL VERY COLD AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS BARELY CLEARED OF LIGHT FROST. WILSON'S IS NOW WORKING ON REPLACING THE HEATER CORE AT A COST TO ME TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST $800. WILSON'S SERVICE MANAGER WAS TOLD BY A FRIEND THAT WORKS OR WORKED FOR GM THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH BLAZER OWNERS AS THE DESIGN AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE HEATER CORE IN THESE VEHICLES ARE SUCH THAT WHEN THE HEATER IS NOT IN USE--LIKE IN THE SUMMER--THE CORROSION AND SEDIMENT FROM THE COOLANT CLOGS UP THE PASSAGES AND BLOCKS THE HOT AIR TO HEAT THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY THE PART IS NOT TOO EXPENSIVE BUT THE LABOR INTENSIVE REPAIR IS THE MAJORITY OF THE COST OF REPLACING THE PART. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 2 OTHER BLAZER OWNERS--DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS--THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM AND INCURRED SIGNIFICANT COSTS AT THE RISK OF SAFE VISIBILITY. IF THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST THE 3 MODEL YEARS THAT I KNOW OF AND OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM, THEN WHY HASN'T THIS DESIGN BEEN CORRECTED AND/OR REPAIRS COMPENSATED FOR?

NHTSA ODI #10053037

71,000 miles · Oct 22, 2002
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF SOMEONE WAS TAMPERING WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR HATCH OPENED ON ITS OWN, WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE LOCKS CONTINUED TO CLICK. TS PER-INVOICE; ELECTRICAL REPAIR-RELAY, FOUND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FAULTY-REPLACED THE BCM BATTERY, F…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF SOMEONE WAS TAMPERING WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR HATCH OPENED ON ITS OWN, WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE LOCKS CONTINUED TO CLICK. TS PER-INVOICE; ELECTRICAL REPAIR-RELAY, FOUND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FAULTY-REPLACED THE BCM BATTERY, FOUND THE THE SWITCH FOR THE ENDGATE GLASS INOP/SHORTED REPLACED. SCC

NHTSA ODI #8021323

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2001
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #748606

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

GAS PETAL STICKS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557217

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2000
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #727698

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Unknown Or Other

CHEVROLET HAS SEEN THE TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME TRUCK AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725279

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2000
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #717910

Official recalls

3

00V220000 · 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

1

RQ02012 · 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

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Additional source detail variants (7)

Suspension:front:control Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.