Owners filed 716 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › windshield wiper/washer. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
07000070,000 milesMedian miles at failure
268 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
82
0
0
0
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
78
0
0
0
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
45
3
1
1
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
31
1
0
3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 11, 200014,279 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. 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." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Risk. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
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.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm98V053000
Filed Mar 9, 199872 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. 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 CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings97V218000
Filed Nov 24, 199719,716 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. 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 A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Risk. PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 25, 2020247,000 milesAZ
AFTER USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE FIRST TIME ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH , IT STUCK AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO A DANGEROUS SPEED AND THE BREAKS BARELY HELPED. EVEN AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF TAKING OUT THE BATTERY AND PUTTING IT BACK, IT DID NOT RESET. CRUISE WILL NOT DISENGAGE.
Service Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 2019140,000 milesOH
MY ABS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AS WELL AS MY GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING
Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 18, 2019198,000 milesMS
I HAD A WRECK HIT A DEER ON MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT BUMPER MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ON ITS MAKE A POPPING SOUND EVER SINCE THAT HAPPEN AND IT SCARES MEY LIGHT STAYS ON.
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 3, 2018185,000 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING LOT AT 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO 45 MPH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF A BUILDING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND DROVE OUT OF THE BUILDING, BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STILL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FOUR FRACTURED RIBS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP BY A TOW TRUCK (PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURER) AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING AN INVESTIGATOR TO RENDER A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 884883. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Jan 15, 2017165,000 milesSD
1998 CHEVY BLAZER DOES NOT BRAKES DO NOT PUMP UP AND HOLD THEY ARE SPONGY.
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 27, 2016140,000 milesGA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2016WA
THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION REGARDING THE DEXCOOL COOLANT ISSUES THAT DEGRADED THE ENGINE GASKETS. I HAD NOT KNOWN OF IT AS THE MANUFACTURE OR OTHER DID NOT NOTIFY OF IT. THE ONLY WAY I FOUND OUT WAS SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER CAR ISSUE ONLINE A FEW YEARS AFTER THE SAID ISSUE. WHAT IS THIS, 'KEEP ALL A SECRET SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.'? THIS HAS BEEN A FEW YEARS AGO, HENCE THE JAN 2010 DATE ENTRY AS GUESS TO THE DATE OF ONLINE KNOWLEDGE. IF A CLOSER DATE NEEDED; I CAN RESEARCH.
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 9, 2015140,000 milesWA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD BE ACTIVATED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Nov 22, 2015180,000 milesFL
THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK. THE WIPER MOTOR SEEMS TO HAVE AN ISSUE. IT GETS REAL HOT WHEN CONNECTED. AND I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON 11/19/2015
Electrical System
Filed Oct 26, 2015199,573 milesSC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE KEY CODE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT START. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,573.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jun 19, 2015180,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 29, 2015IL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIDER FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, A PEDESTRIAN OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANCE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WIRE IN THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Sep 17, 2014145,000 milesTX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED TO GO UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Electrical System
Filed Sep 12, 2014275,321 milesVA
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN INSIDE AND WEBT 35 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND MY VEHICLE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AND I CALLED THE DEALERS AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO COME TO GET A DIAGNOSIS FOR $109.00 WELL ON MY WAY HOME MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN DUE TO THE SECURITY LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON SO I GOOGLED A RESET AND RESET IT SND THE VEHICLE TURNED ON BUT AGAIN SHUT DOWN ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY. I FEEL ITS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AND VEHICLE SHUTD DOWN WHEN SECURITY LIGHT IS BLINKING AND A ANOTHER VEHICLE ALMOST STRUCK ME WHEN MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SECURITY LIGHT THAT JUST APEARS FOR NO REASON AND CANT GET RID OF IT. NOT EVEN A MECHANIC CAN FIX IT , ONLY THE DEALERS THEM SELF CAN FIX IT. I FEEL THEY NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. THANK YOU *TR
Suspension
Filed Aug 5, 201450,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE BOLTS SHEARED OFF, THE LUG NUT WAS MISSING, AND THE ROTOR WAS DESTROYED. THE QUARTER PANEL AND THE BUMPER WERE BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RE-ATTACH THE TIRE TO THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE STUDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 10/03/14*LJ UPDATED 3/10/2015 *JS
Electrical System
Filed Jul 23, 2014127,000 milesTN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT FURTHER STATED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH FAILED TO WORK, WHICH RESULTED IN A LACK OF VISIBILITY WHEN USING THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V220000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 19, 2014100,500 milesMD
ON 3-17 EXPERIENCED LOUD SCREECHING SOUND WHEN IGNITION WAS ENGAGED TO START ENGINE, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY THE CONSOLE ALERT LIGHT BLINKED OFF AND ON . ON 3-19 MECHANIC INVESTIGATED AND FOUND A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2013145,000 milesPA
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. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 8/19/13 *CN THE CONSUMER SATED THE BRAKE LINE WAS SO RUSTY, IT HAD A HOLE IN IT. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Seat Belts
Filed Oct 5, 2012FL
THE BACK SEAT MIDDLE BUCKLE BROKE INTO TWO PIECES AND NOW IT IS BROKEN, THEN THE RIGHT SIDE BACK SEAT BUCKLE IS IN SOME KIND OF LOCKING MODE AND THEN THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER BELT LOCKED UP TOO A FEW DAYS LATER. NOW I HAVE ONLY TWO SEAT BELTS THAT WORK IN THE SUV. I HAVE CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS HOPING THAT THEY COULD HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY SAID IT WOULD BE ALMOST 400.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. MY BROTHER OWNED A 1990 HONDA CIVIC AND BROUGHT IT TO A HONDA DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT AT NO COST BECAUSE BELTS ARE SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVE A LIFE TIME WARRANTY. I THOUGHT CHEVY WOULD HAVE THE WARRANTY BUT THE CHEVY DEALER INFORM NO AND NEVER WILL THAT HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP TRY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF FOUR YOUNG CHILDREN AND IF IT POSSIBLE TO DO MYSELF, I AM WILLING TO DO IT, BECAUSE THIS IS MY OWN ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK AND SCHOOL FOR OUR FAMILY AND I CAN NOT USE MY SUV UNTIL I HAVE GET THIS SAFETY ISSUE WORKED OUT. PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE PURCHASED FOUR BELTS FOR MY PULLEY FOR MY SUV AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ITS SOUNDS LIKE A SQUEAKING AND WHISTLING. I HAVE HAD REPLACEMENT IT MYSELF THE FIRST TIME BUT IT STILL DID THE SAME THING SO I BROUGHT MY CAR TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND STILL NO LUCK, SO I BOUGHT IT TO CHEVY IT WORKED FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS THEN STARTED IT AGAIN, SO NEW ONE WAS PUT ON. THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER IT STARTED AGAIN, SO THEY PUT ANOTHER NEW BELT, THEN IT STARTED UP AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER BUT THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY TIM
Suspension
Filed Mar 3, 201217,000 milesSC
WHEN APPLIED THE BRAKES THERE IS SOME ROUGHNESS UNDER THE VEHICLE BRAKES HAS BEEN CHANGED AND SOME TIME GETTING JAMMED. *TR
13 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Aug 11, 2000. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.