1997 Chevrolet BLAZER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
571 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 171 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 60 of 571 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 95 | 16.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 66 | 11.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 45 | 7.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 28 | 4.9% |
| Steering behavior | 27 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 60 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 52 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 46 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 42 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 39 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 29 |
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 27 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 60; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 52; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 46; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 42; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 39; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 29; Electrical System: 27; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 27
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 36 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 59 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 38 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 36; 75,000 to 99,999: 59; 100,000 to 149,999: 38; 150,000 and above: 16
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (59). 400 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 120 |
| 2001 | 94 |
| 2002 | 99 |
| 2003 | 102 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 38 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 120; 2001: 94; 2002: 99; 2003: 102; 2004: 66; 2005: 38; 2006: 9; 2007: 12; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 7; 2011: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 95 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 66 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 45 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017920 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T HOLD. *JB PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019501 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO BE INOPERABLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002879 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
THIS TRUCK WAS ALWAYS SERVICED AT THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. ANY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS DONE INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION. ON THE 60,000 SERVICE THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED A FLUSH TYPE OF TRANSMISSION SERVICE & I SAID TO PROCEED. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP & IMMEDIATELY SHOWED SYMPTOMS OF SHIFTING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS THAN IT HAD BEFORE THE SERVICE. AFTER SOME CALLS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NO DEFINITIVE ANSWER COULD BE GIVEN BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER ST…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007889 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
1997 CHEV BLAZER S-10 WINDSHIELD WIPPERS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. STOP WORKING WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION TCV SHORTED OUT, CAUSING COMPUTER TO SHORT OUT, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK PAST 1/2 TANK NO WARNING. RAN OUT OF GAS ON INTERSTATE.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021112 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
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 C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023435 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR. CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE BUT MOVING AS THOUGH IT IS IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR TO START FROM A DEAD STOP. ONCE MOVING AT SECOND GEAR SPEED IT IS WORKING FINE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN SCANNED IT SHOWS CODES P0740 AND P1860 (P0740 IS TCC SENSOR MALFUNCTION ---P1860 IS SHIFT PLATE D GROUNDED TO BATTERY)WHEN CODES ARE CLEARED THE CODES COME BACK. TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER HAVE BEEN REPLACED . *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 59,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031832 · 2003-08-06 (August 6, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BALL JOINTS,WINSHIELD WIPER BLADES, AND FUEL PUMP.THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED ALSO THE WIND SHIELD MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET A NEW FUEL PUMP FOR THE COST OF $400.00. CONSUMER FELLS DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. *MR *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008937 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO TIGHTEN.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027269 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT CONSUMER HIT HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10027269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024085 · 2003-06-16 (June 16, 2003)
FOR ABOUT A WEEK VEHICLE HAS STALLED FOUR TIMES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041010 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND HAS CAUSED POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO PRODUCE A DEADLY OUT OF CONTROL OBJECT. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041010 at NHTSA ↗