Owners have filed 1,098 complaints
about the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer with NHTSA between 1996 and 2023.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 22 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Blazer. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 83
16.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 13
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1997 compares with every other Chevrolet Blazer
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
62.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
72.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
187.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
6827.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
7631.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
5120.8%
150,000+ miles
197.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 1996peak 33Jan 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA97004Opened 28 Feb 1997Closed 5 Aug 1997SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
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.
EA94038Opened 31 Oct 1994Closed 28 Feb 2000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Recalls on the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
06E023000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
03V117000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: 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.
03V093000
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Risk: 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.
01I018000
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1996-1997 4-WHEEL DRIVE CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OWNERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS THAT HAVE SEPARATED. GM IS PROVIDING A SPECIAL POLICY TO THESE OWNERS TO COVER UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT IF THE CUSTOMER FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE CHASSIS LUBRICATION AND THE VEHICLE STILL REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS DUE TO SEPARATION.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
01V200000
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
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.
Risk: 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.
97V096001
SEAT BELTS
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.
Risk: 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200308719,223 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, sustained loads of sufficient magnitude and duration on the seat 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. If the energy-absorbing loop fully deploys in a severe multiple rollover event, it is possible that a belted driver may experience partial or even complete ejection from the vehicle. Correction: Dealer will replace the driver's safety belt buckle assembly.
Recall 2003064323,584 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicles (not involved in recall 98-150), may experience a windshield wiper failure due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. If this were to occur in a severe weather situation, driver's visibility could be reduced, which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealer will replace defective wiper motor until 7 years or 112 000 km from date vehicle was originally placed into service or for those vehicles currently outside of this coverage, until March 31 2004.
Recall 200306240,759 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a short in the electric outside rearview mirror switch could develop. If this were to occur, 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. Correction: Dealer will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
Recall 199715223,860 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the driver's and/or passenger's front outboard seat-belt webbing could separate during a frontal impact having at least the same dynamics as a 48 kph frontal barrier collision. If a separation occurred and there were secondary crash events or rollover, there would be no restraint of the occupant and increased injuries could occur. Correction: A protector cover will be installed over the recliner mechanism.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Bald Knob, ARCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Throttle stuck brakes could not stop vehicle. Lost control and rolled. Lucky I was on my property and not a public road. No report. Can be inspected. Available anytime. This is not the only year of this model I have had this problem I have had two 2002 that have had same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11501735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bald Knob, ARCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Throttle stuck brakes could not stop vehicle. Lost control and rolled. Lucky I was on my property and not a public road. No report. Can be inspected. Available anytime. This is not the only year of this model I have had this problem I have had two 2002 that have had same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11501735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bald Knob, ARCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
Throttle stuck brakes could not stop vehicle. Lost control and rolled. Lucky I was on my property and not a public road. No report. Can be inspected. Available anytime. This is not the only year of this model I have had this problem I have had two 2002 that have had same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11501735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesGarden City, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FOR THREE YEARS IN THE SUMMERS I COULD NOT DRIVE FAR WITHOUT SMOKE TRICKLING UP BY THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. NEVER HAPPENED IN THE WINTER. TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND TRANSMISSION SHOPS, NO ONE COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS YEAR IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I HAD TO JUNK THE VEHICLE. MY NEIGHBORS 2000 BLAZER IS DOING THE SAME THING NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10347533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesRadcliff, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS WIRE CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER AFTER TURNING IT OFF. AND CAUGHT ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR ON FIRE. LUCKILY I COULD CATCH IT BEFORE IT BURNED THE TRUCK UP. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10330936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesRadcliff, KYFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS WIRE CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER AFTER TURNING IT OFF. AND CAUGHT ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR ON FIRE. LUCKILY I COULD CATCH IT BEFORE IT BURNED THE TRUCK UP. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10330936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Bald Knob, ARCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Throttle stuck brakes could not stop vehicle. Lost control and rolled. Lucky I was on my property and not a public road. No report. Can be inspected. Available anytime. This is not the only year of this model I have had this problem I have had two 2002 that have had same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11501735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bald Knob, ARCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Throttle stuck brakes could not stop vehicle. Lost control and rolled. Lucky I was on my property and not a public road. No report. Can be inspected. Available anytime. This is not the only year of this model I have had this problem I have had two 2002 that have had same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11501735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bald Knob, ARCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
Throttle stuck brakes could not stop vehicle. Lost control and rolled. Lucky I was on my property and not a public road. No report. Can be inspected. Available anytime. This is not the only year of this model I have had this problem I have had two 2002 that have had same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11501735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesParma, OH
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER EQUIPPED WITH CAPITOL PRECISION TRAC II TIRES, SIZE: 235/75R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH BALANCING. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14T013000 (TIRES); HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF COMMUNICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE AFTER THE INITIAL CONTACT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.
NHTSA complaint #11080394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPowhatan, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HIGH BEAMS GO OUT AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE DOORS ARE CLOSED OR THE SWITCH TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11039590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPowhatan, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HIGH BEAMS GO OUT AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE DOORS ARE CLOSED OR THE SWITCH TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11039590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Copperas Cove, TX
SEAT BELTS
TAKATA RECALL. PLUS THERE IS A RECALL ON MY SEATBELT. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11039148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Copperas Cove, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. PLUS THERE IS A RECALL ON MY SEATBELT. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11039148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesFridley, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE STARTS BUT THEN STALLS OUT RESTART BUT AMP GAUGE SHOWING LOW
NHTSA complaint #10936071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,300 milesNewark, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,300.
NHTSA complaint #10825343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,300 milesNewark, DE
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,300.
NHTSA complaint #10825343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesMuscle Scholls, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS SUDDENLY FLICKERED AND DIMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10819908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,100 milesRichwood, OH
POWER TRAIN
97 BLAZER WITH ORIGINAL LOW MILES HAD ENGINE STOP BOTH ON AND OFF THE HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT WOULD START BACK UP. IN JAN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND RPMS WENT UP. WE PULLED OFF AND FOUND THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN 3'RD GEAR. ALSO KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE TO REMOVE. ERRORS CAME UP P1860 P0785 AND P740 THAT REFER TO TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT TRANSMISSION BUT IGNITION SWITCH CONTACT BLOCK COMMONLY CALLED THE IGNITION SWITCH, IT IS THE CONTACT SECTION AND NOT THE KEY OR LOCK CYLINDER. THIS IGNITION SWITCH HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE. GM HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN #17006264 ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM ACROSS MANY YEARS AND MODELS BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM CAN CAUSE ENGINE TO DIE, LIGHTS TO GO OUT AND OTHER PROBLEMS BUT THE CONTACT FOR THE TRANSMISSION POWER SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE POINT. I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE FOR ONE MONTH AND THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED WITH ERRORS P1860 P0758 P0753 P0740 AND P0785. I TESTED THE IGNITION SWITCH POWER FROM RED/WHITE TO WHITE WIRE AND GOT NO POWER WHEN SWITCH WAS ON SO THE NEW SWITCH FAILED. I TESTED BY TEMPORARY JUMPING A FUSED LINE TO FUSE 24 OUTPUT AND THEN TRANSMISSION WORKED FINE AND THE KEY RELEASED. I AGAIN REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH CONTACT BLOCK UNDER WARRANTY AND NEW SWITCH WORKED FINE EXCEPT THE ERRORS CAME BACK ON P0740, P0785 AND P1860. TRANSMISSION WORKED OK THOUGH SO I TOOK THE BLAZER TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT. THEY RESET CODE ERRORS , CHECKED WIRING, CONNECTIONS AND SWITCH. THE TECHNICIAN SAID MY WORK WAS CORRECT AND EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT FINE AND HE WAS NOT SURE WHY CODES CAME BACK. NOW OK. I EXAMINED THE ORIGINAL SWITCH AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH CONTACTS OR WIRES EVIDENT. THIS COULD BE A SWITCH DESIGN ISSUE OR THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE CAUSING THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10702398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,100 milesRichwood, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
97 BLAZER WITH ORIGINAL LOW MILES HAD ENGINE STOP BOTH ON AND OFF THE HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT WOULD START BACK UP. IN JAN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND RPMS WENT UP. WE PULLED OFF AND FOUND THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN 3'RD GEAR. ALSO KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE TO REMOVE. ERRORS CAME UP P1860 P0785 AND P740 THAT REFER TO TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT TRANSMISSION BUT IGNITION SWITCH CONTACT BLOCK COMMONLY CALLED THE IGNITION SWITCH, IT IS THE CONTACT SECTION AND NOT THE KEY OR LOCK CYLINDER. THIS IGNITION SWITCH HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE. GM HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN #17006264 ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM ACROSS MANY YEARS AND MODELS BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM CAN CAUSE ENGINE TO DIE, LIGHTS TO GO OUT AND OTHER PROBLEMS BUT THE CONTACT FOR THE TRANSMISSION POWER SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE POINT. I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE FOR ONE MONTH AND THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED WITH ERRORS P1860 P0758 P0753 P0740 AND P0785. I TESTED THE IGNITION SWITCH POWER FROM RED/WHITE TO WHITE WIRE AND GOT NO POWER WHEN SWITCH WAS ON SO THE NEW SWITCH FAILED. I TESTED BY TEMPORARY JUMPING A FUSED LINE TO FUSE 24 OUTPUT AND THEN TRANSMISSION WORKED FINE AND THE KEY RELEASED. I AGAIN REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH CONTACT BLOCK UNDER WARRANTY AND NEW SWITCH WORKED FINE EXCEPT THE ERRORS CAME BACK ON P0740, P0785 AND P1860. TRANSMISSION WORKED OK THOUGH SO I TOOK THE BLAZER TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT. THEY RESET CODE ERRORS , CHECKED WIRING, CONNECTIONS AND SWITCH. THE TECHNICIAN SAID MY WORK WAS CORRECT AND EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT FINE AND HE WAS NOT SURE WHY CODES CAME BACK. NOW OK. I EXAMINED THE ORIGINAL SWITCH AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH CONTACTS OR WIRES EVIDENT. THIS COULD BE A SWITCH DESIGN ISSUE OR THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE CAUSING THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10702398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxford, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY CHARGE THE BATTERY AND THE CLOCK LIGHT STAYED ON.
NHTSA complaint #10680215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesMarion, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS GOING THROUGH A ROUNDABOUT AND PUT MY RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PULL OVER. AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK IT DID START. AFTER THAT I PARKED IT AT A GAS STATION TURNED IT OFF WENT TO LEAVE AND THE SUV WOULD NOT START. I TOOK THE STEERING COLUMN COVER OFF AND STARTING KNOCKING ON THINGS AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. I LATER FOUND THAT IT WAS A WIRING HARNESS THAT FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED AFTER THAT EVERYTHING RAN GREAT.
NHTSA complaint #10573925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesMarion, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS GOING THROUGH A ROUNDABOUT AND PUT MY RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PULL OVER. AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK IT DID START. AFTER THAT I PARKED IT AT A GAS STATION TURNED IT OFF WENT TO LEAVE AND THE SUV WOULD NOT START. I TOOK THE STEERING COLUMN COVER OFF AND STARTING KNOCKING ON THINGS AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. I LATER FOUND THAT IT WAS A WIRING HARNESS THAT FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED AFTER THAT EVERYTHING RAN GREAT.
NHTSA complaint #10573925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesPalatine, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAD AN ISSUE WHERE MY TRUCK DID NOT WANT TO START BUT THE ENGINE WOULD TURN SO I KNEW IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS DID WORK. I THEN NOTICED MY INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE NOT ON SO I FOUND THAT VERY STRANGE. AFTER SO MANY TIMES TRYING TO START MY TRUCK I NOTICED MY TRUCK WOULD ONLY TURN ON IF THE INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ON. ONE NIGHT AFTER WORK I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 83 IN ILLINOIS AND I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON TO ROUTE 53 AND SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE JUST TURNED OFF COMPLETELY. LUCKILY I W,A ABLE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART VEHICLE. IT WAS AT MIDNIGHT, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES AT THE TIME AND I WAS NOT GOING AT HIGH SPEEDS. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND MY VEHICLE WORKS PERFECTLY FINE NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10566056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,500 milesNiceville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER, I WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT OFF THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH. I APPLIED MY BRAKES WHICH STARTED MY DECELERATION, SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR. I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL ONE MORE TIME WITH NO RESISTANCE. I HAD TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND STARTED MAKING LARGE S-TURNS TO BURN OFF THE SPEED AND MANUALLY DOWNSHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER I FINALLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE I CHECKED THE BRAKE LINES AND FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE METAL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS SPRAYING BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE PLACE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 3 MONTHS THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAVE BURST ON THIS 1997 CHEVY BLAZER. THE LAST TIME THE REAR MAIN BRAKE LINE BURST.
NHTSA complaint #10515173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,500 milesNiceville, FL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I JUST PICKED UP MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER OCT 31, 2012 WITH 79000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF CORROSION BUILDUP ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY YESTERDAY, WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. UNDER CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD BURST. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY BLAZER UNTIL I GET THIS FIXED. WITH THIS LEAK, I INSPECTED THE REST OF MY BRAKE LINES TO WHICH I'VE FOUND BOTH MY FRONT BRAKE LINES IN A SEVERELY CORRODED STATE AS WELL WAITING TO BURST. THIS IS A GREAT SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10497821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,500 milesNiceville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
I JUST PICKED UP MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER OCT 31, 2012 WITH 79000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF CORROSION BUILDUP ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY YESTERDAY, WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. UNDER CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD BURST. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY BLAZER UNTIL I GET THIS FIXED. WITH THIS LEAK, I INSPECTED THE REST OF MY BRAKE LINES TO WHICH I'VE FOUND BOTH MY FRONT BRAKE LINES IN A SEVERELY CORRODED STATE AS WELL WAITING TO BURST. THIS IS A GREAT SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10497821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,557 milesHockessin, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LEFT REAR OEM METALLIC BRAKE LINE CORRODED ON A 1997 CHEVY BLAZER RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. LINE WAS NOT DAMAGE, JUST LEAKS OUT OF PIPE EVERY TIME YOU PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL. LINE IS ATTACHED TO FRAME ABOVE LEFT REAR WHEEL AXLE. UPON INSPECTION IT LOOKS RUSTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10409290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesLandfall, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
97 CHEVY BLAZER LEFT TURN SIGNAL MAKES THE DASH LIGHTS FLASH THEN WHEN I TURN PARKING LIGHTS ON LEFT SIGNAL STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN ENGAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10389804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesWhittier, NC
AIR BAGS
NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON, BUT ONE DAY A FEW YEARS AGO IT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. CERTIFIED GM MECHANIC CAN'T FIND REASON WHY. SO I STILL DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT HAVE TOLD MY FAMILY, AND LEFT NOTARIZED STATEMENT WITH DOCUMENTATION, THAT IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME AS A RESULT OF THIS (I.E. AIRBAG DOESN'T DEPLOY THEREBY CAUSING FATAL INJURY OR DEPLOYS WITHOUT CAUSE CAUSING INJURY) THEY ARE TO SUE GM.
NHTSA complaint #10360424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 164,192 milesArcadia, FL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG CAME OUT PARTIALLY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, IT CAME OUT BUT WHEN BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO DO THE WORK UNLESS THE CONTACT PAYS FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,192.
NHTSA complaint #10356928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.