1997 Chevrolet Blazer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Chevrolet Blazer
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Blazer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 9 complaints 1985: 29 complaints 1985 1986: 19 complaints 1987: 30 complaints 1988: 40 complaints 1989: 38 complaints 1990: 32 complaints 1990 1991: 222 complaints 1992: 278 complaints 1993: 511 complaints 1994: 620 complaints 1995: 1224 complaints 1995 1996: 1153 complaints 1997: 768 complaints 1997 1998: 716 complaints 1999: 436 complaints 2000: 589 complaints 2000 2001: 326 complaints 2002: 246 complaints 2003: 77 complaints 2004: 50 complaints 2005: 15 complaints 2005 2006: 19 complaints 2007: 9 complaints 2008: 5 complaints 2019: 182 complaints 2020: 208 complaints 2020 2021: 121 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 37 complaints 2024: 38 complaints 2025: 25 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaints 2026
1997: 768 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19811
19821
19834
19849
198529
198619
198730
198840
198938
199032
1991222
1992278
1993511
1994620
19951224
19961153
1997768
1998716
1999436
2000589
2001326
2002246
200377
200450
200515
200619
20079
20085
2019182
2020208
2021121
202242
202337
202438
202525
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 97 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 80 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
VISIBILITY 7%

7% of complaints: visibility — 53 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 6%

6% of complaints: visibility — 49 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 42 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19941031 — EA (closed 20000228)

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM

1997 — complaint volume: 768
I 19970228 — EA (closed 19970805)

SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION

R 19970922 — 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. T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Campaign 97V096001 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010904 — suspension

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, MISSO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE

Campaign 01V200000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20011204 — suspension

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

Remedy: GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS SPECIAL POLICY IS FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIR

Campaign 01I018000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030424 — visibility

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON A

Campaign 03V093000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030808 — seat belts

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO

Campaign 03V117000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

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

Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — 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 CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Chevrolet Blazer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (97 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (80 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (53 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V096001 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V200000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01I018000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V093000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V117000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1990 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1996 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.