1998 Chevrolet BLAZER: complaints, problems and recalls

THE HANDLE USED TO RECLINE THE FRONT SEATS HAVE BOTH BROKEN OFF. THE PASSENGER ONE BROKE OFF FIRST AND "FORTUNATELY" IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP, I NOTICED THERE WERE FOUR OTHER CHEVY BLAZERS IN THE SAME DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE BROKE OFF. IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. TS

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000398 at NHTSA ↗

CONSISTENT AND REPEATED HEATING/COOLING PROBLEMS; CORROSION OF THE COOLANT; EROSION OF THE RADIATOR; LACK OF HEAT FOR 4 WINTERS, ETC.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000592 at NHTSA ↗

THE DRIVER LIFTED THE HANDLE TO RECLINE THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND THE HANDLE BROKE, WITHOUT USING EXCESSIVE FORCE. A WEEK LATER THE DRIVER SIDE HANDLE BROKE ALSO. THERE IS A TIS BULLETIN (220801) FOR THIS PROBLEM. TS THE DRIVERSIDE HANDLE WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO PURCHASE AND BROKE AFTER ONLY 34,000 MILES. *JG

Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001629 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001692 at NHTSA ↗

WIPER STOPPED WORKING INTERMEDIATELY. REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, IDLER ARM, CAP, ROTOR AND COIL WIRE. PH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002082 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BEGAN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE ACCELERATING AT HIGH SPEED. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002539 at NHTSA ↗

CHEVY'S MOTTO FOR THEIR TRUCKS ON THEIR WEBSITE IS...... " THE MOST DEPENDABLE LONG LASTING TRUCKS ON THE ROAD " I BOUGHT A 1998 CHEVY BLAZER IN DECMBER 2001 ...........THIS TRUCK IS NOT DEPENDABLE NOR IS IT LONG LASTING. I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM CHEVY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLES VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN VERIFY THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY FOR IT? MY VIN # IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 …

Owner-reported narrative. 76,961 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003116 at NHTSA ↗

THE REAR SEAT BELT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELT, AS A RESULT OF THE BUCKLE BEING INOPERATIVE. THE SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE DID NOT GO INTO THE BUCKLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PART. (PART UNKNOWN). *TS *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003996 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-08-11 (August 11, 2000)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 1997-11-24 (November 24, 1997)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 1998-03-09 (March 9, 1998)

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.

Consequence: 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.