1997 Chevrolet Blazer
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 9 |
| 1985 | 29 |
| 1986 | 19 |
| 1987 | 30 |
| 1988 | 41 |
| 1989 | 40 |
| 1990 | 33 |
| 1991 | 222 |
| 1992 | 280 |
| 1993 | 517 |
| 1994 | 628 |
| 1995 | 1225 |
| 1996 | 1153 |
| 1997 | 768 |
| 1998 | 716 |
| 1999 | 436 |
| 2000 | 589 |
| 2001 | 326 |
| 2002 | 246 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 50 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2019 | 185 |
| 2020 | 213 |
| 2021 | 128 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
22% of complaints: service brakes — 169 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230114
Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130605
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130211
Also filed under STRUCTURE
18% of complaints: visibility — 135 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.
FIRE INJURY16% of complaints: suspension — 120 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing upper ball joint and lower ball joint.
CRASH INJURY15% of complaints: power train — 114 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
CRASH FIRE INJURY13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 102 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and gasoline.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUGHT THE WHOLE VEHICLE ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMAITON. NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20020913
SAFETY TIMELINE
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM
SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 issues (169 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (135 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (120 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
WORST YEARS
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, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.