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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 →
716Owner complaints

Model-year median: 32

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1,224
19951,153
1996768
1997716
1998436
1999589
2000326
2001
Compare all Blazer years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Visibility
256Seats
84Power Train
74Electrical System
71Engine And Engine Cooling
64
All reported categories
Suspension
60Service Brakes, Hydraulic
59Exterior Lighting
40Air Bags
38Vehicle Speed Control
33Steering
29Structure
25Fuel System, Gasoline
23Seat Belts
18Equipment
16Latches/locks/linkages
15Unknown Or Other
12Tires
9Wheels
8Interior Lighting
6Parking Brake
6Fuel System, Other
5Service Brakes
4Visibility/wiper
3Child Seat
2Engine
2Service Brakes, Air
2Fuel/propulsion System
1Service Brakes, Electric
1

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.

46 crash reports15 fire reports31 injury reports

What owners actually said

716 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2001
Visibility

I HAVE EXPERIENCED WIPER MOTOR FAILURES SIMILAR TO CAMPAIGN #98043. WHEN IT RAINS, MY WIPERS WILL SPORATICALLY STOP WORKING. I HAVE READ ABOUT RECALL #98043, BUT AM AWARE THAT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO 1998 BLAZERS. NEVERTHELESS, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE IDENTICAL TO THOSE FROM THE EARLIER RECALLS. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #751308

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Steering

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH POWER ASSISTED STEERING WAS LOST AND THE DRIVER HAD A DIFFICULT TIME MAINTAINING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINATION, BELT TENSIONER BAR BROKE WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #894999

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2001
SuspensionWheels

WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH VEHICLE WENT TOWARDS LEFT AND WAS HARD TO CONTROL, AFTER PULLING OVER, CONSUMER NOTICED DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS SIDEWAYS. A BROKEN UPPER BALL JOINT. NO ACCIDENT.*AK AFTER TAKEN TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIR HE NOTICED THE OTHER SIDE WAS ALSO BAD. REPAIRS INCLUDED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON DRIVER'S AND P…

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WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH VEHICLE WENT TOWARDS LEFT AND WAS HARD TO CONTROL, AFTER PULLING OVER, CONSUMER NOTICED DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS SIDEWAYS. A BROKEN UPPER BALL JOINT. NO ACCIDENT.*AK AFTER TAKEN TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIR HE NOTICED THE OTHER SIDE WAS ALSO BAD. REPAIRS INCLUDED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES. WHEEL WAS ALSO DAMAGED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #894889

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BACK OF THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. REAR BRAKES WERE RUSTED AND DETERIORATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #894808

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE UNLOCKING PASSENGER DOOR INSIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE, UNABLE TO CLOSE PASSENGER'S DOOR. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER COST DUE TO VEHICLE B EING OUT OF IT WARRANTY, AND NO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL ON THAT PART. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #894424

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN TURNING STEERING THERE IS A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE EXHAUST. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #893080

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2001
Steering

WHENEVER TURNING A SHARP CORNER OR PARALLEL PARKING STEERING WHEEL POPS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #893014

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2001
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #748606

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR ,CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY CAUSE PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #892573

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2001
Suspension

WHEN THE BALL JOINT BROKE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL DROP TO A 45 DREEG ANGLE AND THE AUTO WENT LEFT IN TO THE ON COMING LANE. I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE I WAS GOING 30 MILES A HOUR AND NO ONE WAS IN THE LANE. I HAD NO CONTROL FOR A FEW MINUTES AND IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPEN ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I SURE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPEN.*…

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WHEN THE BALL JOINT BROKE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL DROP TO A 45 DREEG ANGLE AND THE AUTO WENT LEFT IN TO THE ON COMING LANE. I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE I WAS GOING 30 MILES A HOUR AND NO ONE WAS IN THE LANE. I HAD NO CONTROL FOR A FEW MINUTES AND IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPEN ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I SURE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPEN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #748022

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.