FaultScore

1997 Chevrolet Blazer equipment problems

15 of the 1,098 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer are about the equipment — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 107,000 miles.

A

15

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Conditioner 6 40.0%
Equipment 4 26.7%
Carrier/Rack 3 20.0%
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 1 6.7%
Tank Valve/Gauge 1 6.7%

Equipment & Accessories across every Chevrolet Blazer year

1995 13 12.0%
1996 31 28.7%
1997 15 13.9%
1998 17 15.7%
2000 20 18.5%
2001 12 11.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Kingston, PA

EQUIPMENT

I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. A FEW YEARS BACK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM ON A HIGH TRAFFIC EXPRESSWAY. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY DUE TO THE WIPERS STOPPING. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AT A DEALERSHIP. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2008, I WAS DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM AND ONCE AGAIN THE WIPERS FAILED. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY GAVE ME A SERVICE REQUEST CLAIM NO. AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR CHARGES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HAZARDOUS PROBLEM TO MYSELF, PASSENGERS, OTHER MOTORISTS, AND PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS THE 2ND INCIDENT. I CHECKED FOR RE-CALLS ON THIS AND THERE ARE NONE.

NHTSA complaint #10251980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Traverse City, MI

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

OWNING THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND A FINANCIAL DRAIN. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED WHEN THEY CHOSE, REPLACED WIPER MOTOR DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. A/C STOPPED WORKING, HAD IT LOOKED AT AND RECHARGED AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. FUEL GAGE DIDN'T WORK, REPLACED FUEL SENSOR AND SENDING UNIT. REAR WIPER QUIT WORKING, REPLACED REAR WIPER MOTOR, A FEW DAYS LATER IT DOES NOT WORK AGAIN. REPLACED WATER PUMP, HAVE REPLACED ABS ONLY TO GET A RECALL AFTER THE FACT WITH NO REIMBURSEMENT. WEARS THROUGH BRAKE PADS ENTIRELY TOO FAST. REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TWICE. REAR HATCH DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY. HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THEY MIGHT AS WELL NOT EXIST. WATER LEAKS INTO INTERIOR ON DRIVERS SIDE DUE TO A BAD SEAL. IDLER ARM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. GAS PEDAL STICKS. NOW HEATER FAN WORKS SOMETIMES. READING THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. RECALLS ISSUED ON SOME VEHICLES BUT NOT ALL? NOW I HEAR GM PUT A BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON THESE AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER CARS (1997) AND DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY MATTER! THIS CAUSES ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND ULTIMATELY ENDS IN A REPAIR OF AT LEAST 1500.00. AFTER MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE I WILL BE PURCHASING SOON AND IT MOST LIKELY WILL NOT BE GM. SAD SINCE MY DAD WORKED FOR THEM FOR 30 YEARS. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUTTING A BAD PRODUCT ON THE MARKET AND LEAVING US TO DRY.

NHTSA complaint #10152223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salem, MA

EQUIPMENT

STARTER WENT, GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, REAR WIPER DON'T WORK, BALL JOINTS BAD, ALTERNATER WENT, SHOCKS WENT MANY TIMES, ANTI LOCK BREAKS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. TIRED OF THE PROBLEMS!

NHTSA complaint #10124382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Pendleton, OR

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I BOUGHT MY RIG UNDER A YEAR AGO AND HAVE BEEN HAVEING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRASMISSION,I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS MANY TIMES BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REGISTER,MY AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK RIGHT,MY BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP A FEW TIMES AND WHEN I TURN A CORNER IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING CRAHING UNDER MY RIG.I HAVE HAD NOTHING DONE YET BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO COST ME A WHOLE LOT TO HAVE ALL THIS REPLACED.MY STEREO WENT DEAD ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT IT ALSO.I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A GOOD RIG BUT,NOW I AM FINDING OUT DIFFERENT AND I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR AND AM STILL PAYING FOR IT.I HAVE REPLACED THE HEATER CORE IT WENT OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER I GOT IT,THE WINDOW WENT OUT A FEW DAY'S AFTER I GOT IT AND FORD BARELY REPLACED THAT FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #10118421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Pendleton, OR

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:TANK VALVE/GAUGE

I BOUGHT MY RIG UNDER A YEAR AGO AND HAVE BEEN HAVEING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRASMISSION,I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS MANY TIMES BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REGISTER,MY AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK RIGHT,MY BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP A FEW TIMES AND WHEN I TURN A CORNER IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING CRAHING UNDER MY RIG.I HAVE HAD NOTHING DONE YET BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO COST ME A WHOLE LOT TO HAVE ALL THIS REPLACED.MY STEREO WENT DEAD ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT IT ALSO.I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A GOOD RIG BUT,NOW I AM FINDING OUT DIFFERENT AND I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR AND AM STILL PAYING FOR IT.I HAVE REPLACED THE HEATER CORE IT WENT OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER I GOT IT,THE WINDOW WENT OUT A FEW DAY'S AFTER I GOT IT AND FORD BARELY REPLACED THAT FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #10118421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midland, TX

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

NAR 02/10/2003. THE CONSUMER HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, THE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, THE TURN SIGNALS WENT OUT, 2 BATTERIES FAILED WITHIN A YEAR, THE ALTERNATOR AND BELT FAILED, THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10008661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,387 miles Emerald Hills, CA

EQUIPMENT

97 BLAZER COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE. FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR THE COOLING SYSTEM HAD TROUBLE. THE RADIATOR HAD A LEAK ( 34391 MILES), THE COOLING SYSTEM CLOGGED UP AND THE HEATER CORE LEAKED FROM DEX-COOL GELLING UP ( 65265 MILES ), AGAIN HEATER CORE LEAKING FROM BAD DEX-COOL ( 104044 MILES ), HEATER CORE LEAKING (114387 MILES). EACH TIME THE HEATER CORE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COOLING SYSTEM HAD TO BE ACID FLUSHED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE THE DEX-COOL GELLED UP. ALL THESE REPAIRS WHERE DONE BY GM DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL ME WHY THE DEX-COOL WAS GELLING UP OR THE HEATER CORE KEPT LEAKING. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC (COMPLAINT # 1-152407734) GMC COULD NOT HELP ME. I FOUND OUT FROM A RADIATOR REPAIR SHOP THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY GM COOLING SYSTEM FAILURES DU TO THE DEX-COOL CAUSING ELECTROLYSIS. THIS IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF MY PROBLEM AND GM AND THE DEALER WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. THE RADIATOR SHOP SAID THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO FLUSH OUT THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR 36 HOURS THE REFILL IT WITH ANTIFREEZE, NOT DEX-COOL. ALSO ADD AN ANTI-ELECTROLYSIS SOLUTION TO IT AND A RADIATOR CAP WITH AN ANODE ROD ON IT. THEY HAVE HAD VERY GOOD RESULTS WITH THIS REPAIR. THERE MANY COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE ABOUT THIS AND ALSO MANY ON OTHER AUTO REPAIR WEB SITES. ALL I WANT IS TO BE REFUNDED THE MONEY I SPENT ON REPAIRS FROM DAY ONE AND HAVE GM PAY FOR THE RADIATOR SHOP TO DO THE FLUSHING AND REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10047001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mcalester, OK

EQUIPMENT

THERE IS A BAD DESIGN IN THE BUNDLE OF WIRING ABOVE TRANSMISSION WITH PLASTIC RING HOLDING BUNDLE, THIS BUNDLE IS NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING ALLOWING MOVE RUB TILL THEY SHORT OUT IN THE CHEVROLET BLAZERS, MINE IS A 1997. MY BLAZER WIRING CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION SWITCH TO SHORT OUT AND I WAS FIRST TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION SO I TOOK IT FOR SECOND OPINION, THE SECOND SHOP CUT THE WIRE FROM THE BUNDLE, REROUTED IT FROM TRANSMISSION SWITCH AND THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH WORKED. OTHER WIRES IN THE SAME BUNDLE CAUSED SHORTS THROUGH OUT ALL WIRING CAUSING A CONSTANT DRAW OF ELECTRIC AND RUNNING BATTERY DOWN. WHEN A FUSE IS REMOVED IT BREAKS THE CIRCUIT AND BATTERY DOES NOT RUN DOWN. THE SHORTED WIRING CAUSED DAY LIGHTS TO NOT WORK, INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON UNLESS I PULLED THE FUSE AND NUMEROUS OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME THING. THEY ARE NOW DROPPING THE TRANSMISSION TO GET TO THE BUNDLE OF WIRES TO FIX SHORTS AND I AM TAKING PICTURES OF ALL OF THIS. THE SHOP HAD TWO OTHER BLAZERS IN AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL ALSO TAKE PICTURES OF THOSE BLAZERS, ONE OF THE BLAZERS IS THE SHOP OWNERS WIFE. THE SHOPS ARE TELLING ME IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I PLAN TO REPORT THIS TO AS MANY AGENCIES AS POSSIBLE AND INTERVIEW AS MANY SHOPS AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I BELIEVE IT IS A FIRE HAZARD SINCE IT SHORTS OUT. THE WIRING BUNDLE IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP AT THE GAS TANK. I HOPE CHEVROLET WILL ACT SOON AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE ALSO HAD IT IN NIX CHEVROLET WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THE AC DID NOT WORK, THEY HAVE WORKED ON THE AC 8 TIMES AND TOTALLY REBUILT EVERYTHING AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE AC???? THEY SAID THEY WILL LOOK AT IT AGAIN. I ALSO HAVE NUMEROUS RECALLS I WILL HAVE TO HAVE FIXED. I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT, IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I HAVE GOT TO DRIVE IT. I WILL NEVER BUY CHEVROLET AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10021112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elkview, WV Fire

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #554605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Juliette, GA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

EVAP. CANISTER TANK LEAKING CAUSEING THE SES LIGHT ON.

NHTSA complaint #553083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Concord, NC

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE TRANSMISSION HAD RAIN WATER RUN DOWN THE TUBE FROM THE GRATES IN THE HOOD BEN MYNETT CHEVROLET DRAINED THE FLUID AND CHANGED THE FILTERS AND REPLACED THE DIP STICK AND TUBE THY SAID THIS WOULD DO ENOUGH BUT NOW THERE IS RUST PARTICLES IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK FOR THAT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING .THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS WENT OUT TWICE THEY SAID IT WAS JUST A HOSE CLOGGED TWO TIMES IN JUST A FEW MONTHS .THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED TWICE IN A 2 WEEK TIME PERIOD THE DEX COOL COOLANT HAS HAD A REPUTATION OF CLOGGING UP THE HEATER CORE IN ALL GM CARS .THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS WENT OUT TWICE THIS WAS FROM A VACUUM HOSE AROUND THE TRANSMISSION .THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS HAVE WENT OUT ONCE .TBATTERY WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES IN A 2 MONTH TIME PERIOD THIS HAD US STRANDED IN 95 DEGREE HEAT .TURNED OUT IT WAS A BAD ALTERNATOR.THE FACTORY UNIROYAL 50000 MILE TIRES ONLY LASTED 30000 MILES AND THEY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT .THE VEHICLE CUT OFF ONE DAY LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHILE MOVING AT 45 MPH MY WIFE BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD .THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE TANK .( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205-75-15 )

NHTSA complaint #720942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lawrenceville, GA

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AS IT GREATLY REDUCES VISIBILITY TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #713877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whittier, CA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

RADIO-CD.

NHTSA complaint #609783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cheshire, CT

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

WHILE RIDING ALONG THE HOLDER SNAPPED AND SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. NOBODY GOT HURT.

NHTSA complaint #824663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cheshire, CT

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

WHILE RIDING DOWN THE STREET THE SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY SNAPPED AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. NO ONE WAS HURT BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS THE ONLY ON ON STREET.

NHTSA complaint #824667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Chevrolet Blazer problems

← Full 1997 Chevrolet Blazer report