1998 Chevrolet BLAZER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
609 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 269 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 87 of 609 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 60 | 9.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 38 | 6.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 36 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 34 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 87 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 86 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 53 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 32 |
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 24 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 20 |
| Seats | 16 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 87; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 86; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 53; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 32; Electrical System: 25; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring: 24; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 20; Seats: 16
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 | 44 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 93 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 67 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 41 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 44; 50,000 to 74,999: 93; 75,000 to 99,999: 67; 100,000 to 149,999: 41; 150,000 and above: 14
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (93). 340 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 | 66 |
| 2001 | 84 |
| 2002 | 69 |
| 2003 | 168 |
| 2004 | 95 |
| 2005 | 57 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 66; 2001: 84; 2002: 69; 2003: 168; 2004: 95; 2005: 57; 2006: 15; 2007: 14; 2008: 11; 2009: 6; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 5; 2015: 5; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 38 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 36 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 10014767 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
NAR 03-31-2003 *MR CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH WHEEL BEARING, HEATER CONTROL SWITCH, GAS GAUGE, RIGHT DOOR LOCK, BRAKES, AND OIL SENDING HOSES. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014767 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019837 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
FAULTY MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. CONTROLS THE HAZARD AND BRAKE LIGHT OPERATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019097 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW. DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR CONSISTENTLY VIBRATES - HAD REPLACED TWICE - DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE A THIRD TIME DUE TO BUG SHIELD BEING INSTALLED. IT STILL VIBRATES. JUNE 2001 - DOOR LOCKS WENT NUTS. THEY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR WHILE PARKED - WITH KEYS IN IT. MARCH 2003 - BLINKER SWITCH WENT CRAZY. IT WOULD NOT STOP CLICKING - WHOLE DASH HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT TO REPLACE SWITCH - NOT A CHEAP THING! MAY 2003 - ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AND RUINED BATTERY. ALMOST CAUSED A CAR FIRE. TRANSMIS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025477 · 2003-07-06 (July 6, 2003)
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION LET LOOSE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT DIDN`T COME ON. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A RESTURAUNT INTO TRAFFIC. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025477 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010235 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE FAILED REPEATEDLY WHILE IN USE. THE WIPERS CHANGE SPEED ON THEIR OWN AND/OR TURN THEMSELVES OFF ON THEIR OWN, SOMETIMES WITHIN THE FIELD OF VIEW OF THE DRIVER. THIS CONDITION APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO THE WIPER MOTOR WIRING OR CIRCUITRY TO THE WIPER MOTOR SIDE OF THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTART THE WIPERS BY JIGGLING THE WIRING HARNESS, BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT A SAFE CONDITION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010575 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE FAILED REPEATEDLY WHILE IN USE. THE WIPERS CHANGE SPEED ON THEIR OWN AND/OR TURN THEMSELVES OFF ON THEIR OWN. THIS CONDITION APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO THE WIPER MOTOR WIRING OR CIRCUITRY TO THE WIPER MOTOR SIDE OF THE WIRING HARNESS. HAVE HAD THE DELAY SWITCH REPLACE ONCE AND THE MOTOR REPLACED ONCE BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS RETURNING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE ONE FOUND UNDER #98043. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023503 · 2003-06-21 (June 21, 2003)
STEERING PULLS SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT. UNSUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING AN ALIGNMENT TO PRECLUDE THE SITUATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032900 · 2003-08-15 (August 15, 2003)
RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT COLLAPSED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING/TIRE DAMAGE, AND NEAR COLLISION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033386 · 2003-08-24 (August 24, 2003)
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH,HAD TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD, PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING SECURITY LIGHT, WOULD NOT RESTART.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHO CHECKED IT OUT NEXT MORNING. STARTED RIGHT UP AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.*AK HAD HAPPENED BEFORE BUT OCCURED IN PARKING LOT AND STARTED BACK UP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IT OCCURS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. NO ENGINE, LOSS OF POWER STEERING ETC. HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET AND HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS. NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE AN ANSWER, INC…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,679 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040501 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
TRUCK IMMEDIATELY STALLED WHILE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS 65-75 MPH DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP FAILING. THE TRUCK WAS PUT IN THE SHOP TWO TIMES BEFORE A DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE. CONSUMER WAS APPALLED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING DEVICE TO ACKNOWLEDGE TO THE OWNER THAT FUEL PUMP FAILED.*AK *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024950 · 2003-06-25 (June 25, 2003)
CONSUMER NOTICED GAS TANK WAS LEAKING AFTER SEEING GASOLINE ON DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER STATES" GAS TANK IS RUSTED AND DEVELOPED A HOLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024950 at NHTSA ↗