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1997 Chevrolet Blazer Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1997 Chevrolet Blazer has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Windshield wiper motor intermittent failure.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer.

Reported to NHTSA

Windshield wiper motor intermittent failure

VISIBILITY

40 NHTSA complaints · 2003-08 → 2009-04

“THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK ALL THE TIME. THE LAST 10 TIMES THAT I TRIED TO TURN THEM ON, THEY DIDN'T 5 OF THOSE TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST MONTH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10266244
“VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.*MR CONSUMER IS UPSET WITH THE SAFETY DEFECTS ON THIS VEHICLE.*TS *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10037746
“MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING. THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WIRING OR SOMETHING BECAUSE THE MOTOR WILL RUN BUT THE WIPERS WON'T MOVE. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10082458

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front upper ball joint failure

SUSPENSION

24 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2010-07

“I TOOK MY 1997 BLAZER TO ALEVANDER CHEVROLOT BECAUSE THE FRONT END WAS MAKING A GRINDING AND POPPING SOUND ON 9/23/04 MILES AT TIME OF SERVICE WAS 86,921 THEY TOLD ME ALL THAT WAS WRONG WAS IT WAS DRY THEY CHARGED ME $222.94 AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10133242
“WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT END COLLAPSED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10097513
“WE WERE DRIVING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY DOING ALL OF ABOUT 5MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS A FLAT. WE PARKED THE CAR AND GOT OUT TO CHECK IT AND SAW THE TIRE LEANING UP AGAINST THE CAR. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS BROKE OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10125715

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel gauge inaccurate reading

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

13 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2006-05

“I HAVE A 1997 CHEVY S-10 BLAZER LT. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE. I FILL THE TANK AND IT READS FULL, I USE THE CAR AND WHEN IT GETS DOWN TO HALF TANK THE GAUGE STARTS GOING BACK UP TO FULL....I AM EMPTY WHEN IT READS FULL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10075070
“GAS GUAGE DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN GUAGE READ FULL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10086729
“FUEL SENDING UNIT IS FAILING. ONCE GAS HAS PASSED THE 3/4 FULL POINT ON THE GUAGE IT STAYS IN THAT AREA. I HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10037374

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt buckle latch failure

SEAT BELTS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2006-10

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO FULLY INSERT THE SEAT BELT INTO THE BUCKLE, AND THE BUCKLE DID NOT STAY LATCHED AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10169749
“THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK SEAT DOES NOT WORK ALL OF THE TIME. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS THAT MUST USE THIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10058230
“DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH. CONSUMER TOOK CARE OF THIS ISSUE PREVIOUSLY, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK *PH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10046336

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service brake failure and ABS malfunction

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

16 NHTSA complaints · 2003-08 → 2016-02

“WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER, I WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT OFF THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH. I APPLIED MY BRAKES WHICH STARTED MY DECELERATION, SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR. I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL ONE MORE TIME WITH NO RESISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10515173
“THE ROTORS ARE WEARING OUT, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE HEAVY VIBRATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10037924
“BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN BRAKING VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE, HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE WITH BOTH FEET.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10036919

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

14 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2010-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG CAME OUT PARTIALLY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, IT CAME OUT BUT WHEN BACK INTO PLACE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10356928
“SLID ON ICY ROAD DOING ABOUT 65 MPH HIT AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON AND ROLLED ABOUT 3 TIMES BLAZER IS TOTALED ALL SENSORS HIT IN THE FRONT AND DRIVERS AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *LA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10047520
“DT: THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH, AND THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NOT WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10132889

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition switch failure causing no-start or stall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2004-04 → 2015-03

“I HAD AN ISSUE WHERE MY TRUCK DID NOT WANT TO START BUT THE ENGINE WOULD TURN SO I KNEW IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS DID WORK. I THEN NOTICED MY INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE NOT ON SO I FOUND THAT VERY STRANGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10566056
“ELECTRICAL; IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND SWITCH THAT FAILED. BOTH ARE GM PARTS. *NM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10138643
“CAR WOULD NOT START ALL THE TIME A NEW INGNITION SWITCH WAS PUT IN. AT A COST OF 515 DOLLARS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10098613

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical wiring fire near mirror switch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY

11 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2010-08

“DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR SWITCH WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY HUSBAND HAD TO TEAR THE DOOR PANEL UP TO KEEP MY BLAZER FROM BURNING UP. GM REFUSES TO FIX THIS UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL IN THE SEQUENCE OF THOSE THAT WERE RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10188537
“TL* - THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. SHE STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT SHE HAS HAD A FIRE IN THE TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ITWAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR MOTOR THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10177574
“1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER, WHEN PASSING A SEMI ON INTERSTATE, VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WAS MISSING, AFTER PASSING, LOOKED IN MIRROR, SAW SMOKE, PULLED OVER, POPPED HOOD ENGINE ON FIRE UNABLE TO PUT OUT WITH EXTINGUISHER...FIRE ENGULFED VEHICLE, COMPLETELY TOTALING IT. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10078627

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

No occupant deaths in FARS 1990–2024 crashes are on record for this year and model. That is the census answer for the window, and it says nothing more than that.

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

60

complaints mentioning a crash

35

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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