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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.

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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

Visibility complaints

256 reports
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79,000 miles · Jun 6, 2003
Visibility

1998 CHEVROLETER 4X4 4DOOR. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE FRONT QUIT WORKING. HAVE WORKED ON AND OFF FOR 2 MONTHS. CAN GET THEM TO WORK AFTER PLACING A ZIP STRAP AROUND MOTOR AND WIRES AND PULLING REAL TIGHT. THIS LOOKS LIKE AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM THAT A PREVIOUS RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON. I ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR IN MY…

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1998 CHEVROLETER 4X4 4DOOR. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE FRONT QUIT WORKING. HAVE WORKED ON AND OFF FOR 2 MONTHS. CAN GET THEM TO WORK AFTER PLACING A ZIP STRAP AROUND MOTOR AND WIRES AND PULLING REAL TIGHT. THIS LOOKS LIKE AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM THAT A PREVIOUS RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON. I ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR IN MY 91 CHEVROLETK 3 TIMES. SOMETIMES THEY WOULD WORK. SOMETIMES THEY WOULDN'T. THIS APPARENTLY IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLETR MOTORS AS MY FRIENDS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS WELL WITH VARIOUS CHEVY TRUCKS AND BLAZERS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10021181

36,000 miles · Jun 4, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

FIRST THE ABS WARNING LIGHT STARTED ILLUMINATING EVERY SO OFTEN STARTING IN 2002, NOW THE WIPERS HAVE BECOME VERY ERRATIC. IT HAS NOW GOTTEN SO BAD THAT IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT SETTING ( DELAY, SLOW OR FAST) THE WIPERS ARE SET AT THEY REACT ON THEIR OWN. SOMETIMES THEY STOP COMPLETELY WHICH CAUSES …

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FIRST THE ABS WARNING LIGHT STARTED ILLUMINATING EVERY SO OFTEN STARTING IN 2002, NOW THE WIPERS HAVE BECOME VERY ERRATIC. IT HAS NOW GOTTEN SO BAD THAT IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT SETTING ( DELAY, SLOW OR FAST) THE WIPERS ARE SET AT THEY REACT ON THEIR OWN. SOMETIMES THEY STOP COMPLETELY WHICH CAUSES A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN. YOU COULD HAVE THE SETTING ON SLOW DELAY AND THEY WILL BEGIN GOING VERY FAST OR MEDIUM SPEED, THEN CHANGE AGAIN FOR NO REASON. THEY ALSO CONTINUE TO RUN WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. THIS STARTED ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO AND HAS INCREASED IN INTENSITY WITH EACH USE DUE TO RAIN. I UNDERSTAND PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM AND I AM WONDERING IF THIS YEARS MODEL HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST? *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10021031

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2003
Visibility

REFER TO NHSTA CAMPAIGN #98V150001 DATED 7/1/1998. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. INTERMITTENT SWITCH DOES NOT WORK LIKE IT SHOULD, WIPERS CONTINUOUSLY RUN WHEN USING MIST FUNCTION TO CLEAN WINDSHIELD, SOMETIMES WIPERS DO NOT COME ON AT ALL. RECALL ISSUED 5/1/2003 TO INCLUDE 1996-1997 BLA…

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REFER TO NHSTA CAMPAIGN #98V150001 DATED 7/1/1998. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. INTERMITTENT SWITCH DOES NOT WORK LIKE IT SHOULD, WIPERS CONTINUOUSLY RUN WHEN USING MIST FUNCTION TO CLEAN WINDSHIELD, SOMETIMES WIPERS DO NOT COME ON AT ALL. RECALL ISSUED 5/1/2003 TO INCLUDE 1996-1997 BLAZERS. MINE IS 1998 AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL PER DEALER EVEN THOUGH I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10021029

60,000 miles · May 31, 2003
Visibility

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10020818

30,000 miles · May 26, 2003
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE RELIABLY ENOUGH THAT THEY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A HAZARD. THEY STOP WORKING ON ALMOST EVERY OCCASION THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED FOR VISIBILITY AND OFTEN WILL NOT STOP WHEN TURNED OFF AND ADDITIONALLY THE SPEED AT WHICH THEY WILL OPERATE IS ALSO UNRELIABLE. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE WIPERS TO RESUME …

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WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE RELIABLY ENOUGH THAT THEY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A HAZARD. THEY STOP WORKING ON ALMOST EVERY OCCASION THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED FOR VISIBILITY AND OFTEN WILL NOT STOP WHEN TURNED OFF AND ADDITIONALLY THE SPEED AT WHICH THEY WILL OPERATE IS ALSO UNRELIABLE. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE WIPERS TO RESUME OPERATION WHEN I HAVE TAPPED ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD COVER BUT THEY USUALLY STOP AGAIN BEFORE I REACH MY DESTINATION AND OFTEN BEFORE I GET BACK OUT ON THE ROAD. FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE READ OF AND PERSONALLY HEARD ABOUT CONCERNING THIS MODEL YEAR (AND ALSO OTHER MODEL YEARS) WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM I FEEL THAT IT IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM THAT APPEARS TO BE KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURER AND EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED SO BY THE MANUFACTURER IN THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR. SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WILL ARISE WHEN THESE FAULTY WIPER SYSTEMS FAIL A THE MOST CRITICAL OF TIMES, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019291

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW. DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR CONSISTENTLY VIBRATES - HAD REPLACED TWICE - DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE A THIRD TIME DUE TO BUG SHIELD BEING INSTALLED. IT STILL VIBRATES. JUNE 2001 - DOOR LOCKS WENT NUTS. THEY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR WHILE PARKED - WITH KEYS IN IT. MARCH 2003…

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BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW. DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR CONSISTENTLY VIBRATES - HAD REPLACED TWICE - DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE A THIRD TIME DUE TO BUG SHIELD BEING INSTALLED. IT STILL VIBRATES. JUNE 2001 - DOOR LOCKS WENT NUTS. THEY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR WHILE PARKED - WITH KEYS IN IT. MARCH 2003 - BLINKER SWITCH WENT CRAZY. IT WOULD NOT STOP CLICKING - WHOLE DASH HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT TO REPLACE SWITCH - NOT A CHEAP THING! MAY 2003 - ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AND RUINED BATTERY. ALMOST CAUSED A CAR FIRE. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. NOT YET FIXED BECAUSE OF UNKNOWN CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019097

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2003
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10020240

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2003
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME DISFUNCTIONAL IN HEAVY RAINS, THEY COMPLETELY STOP WORKING CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER UNTIL THE RAIN SUBSIDED. THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PARTICULAR ISSUE WHICH IS NOT IN OUR SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE VE…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME DISFUNCTIONAL IN HEAVY RAINS, THEY COMPLETELY STOP WORKING CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER UNTIL THE RAIN SUBSIDED. THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PARTICULAR ISSUE WHICH IS NOT IN OUR SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ALONG WITH ANY OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019933

114,000 miles · May 14, 2003
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER STOP WORKING WHEN RAINING. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018672

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2003
Visibility

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME AS THE NHTSA RECALL RELATED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. THE DEALER REFUSED REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019730

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.