1998 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
- 716
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Visibility
Campaigns on file for 1998
Opened by NHTSA
37% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 716 complaints
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 | 1,225 |
| 1996 | 1,153 |
| 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 | 218 |
| 2021 | 133 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 50 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Visibility
37% · 264 reportsMost commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.
Seats
12% · 84 reportsMost commonly citing recliner and mid/rear assembly.
Electrical system
11% · 81 reportsMost commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
Have notified GM, nothing so far, have ask for a different Blazer, nothing so far, we stopped for a traffic signal and would not start. Than smoke came out from under hood, than 3 feet of flames, I think GM should look at this very close.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-05-27
Power train
11% · 76 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and cooling unit and lines.
Service brakes
10% · 70 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
My ABS light is always on as well as my gas gauge not working
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-12-17
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving 4 MPH and depressing the brakes, the vehicle failed to decelerate or stop. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection. The vehicle was repaired.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-04
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
1997-12-15Service brakes, hydraulic97V218000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
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1998Complaint volume 716 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
1998-01-22Suspension98V053000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and retighten the right-hand lower control arm nuts to the proper torque specification.
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R
2000-09-13Exterior lighting00V220000 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."
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.
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I
2002-09-10Recall queryClosed 2003-03-07 Front control arm ball joints
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Chevrolet Blazer — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Visibility: 264 reports on file for this year.
- Seats: 84 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 81 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 97V218000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 98V053000 · Suspension
- Recall 00V220000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer?
- The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.