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1998 Chevrolet Blazer Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1998 Chevrolet Blazer has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Intermittent windshield wiper 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 1998 Chevrolet Blazer.

Reported to NHTSA

Intermittent windshield wiper failure

VISIBILITY

95 NHTSA complaints · 2004-04 → 2015-12

“THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTINUALLY FAIL. SOMETIMES THEY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CYCLE, OTHER TIMES THEY DO NOT TURN ON AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES, OFTEN WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10265601
“INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10071890
“MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD TO MAKE MAJOR REPAIRS TO OUR 1998 BLAZER. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP ($294.55) IN OCTOBER 2002. THEN, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND GOT WORSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10098912

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat recliner and adjustment lever breakage

SEATS

11 NHTSA complaints · 2004-08 → 2012-10

“MY 1998 BLAZER'S DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER BROKE OFF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST SEAT. I AM UNABLE TO ADJUST THE SEAT FOR PROPER DRIVING POSITION. THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEVER BROKE AT 30,000 MILES AND THE PASSENGER SEAT LEVER BROKE ABOUT 40,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10200193
“LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, PASSENGER SIDE RECLINE LEVER HAS BROKEN. METAL SHEARED OFF SO WHOLE ROD WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. UNIT WAS NOT FORCED AND SNAPPED OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10096286
“CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEVERS ON THE FRONT TWO SEATS BROKE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2001. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10129343

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission slipping and failure

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2004-11 → 2007-11

“PURCHASED SUV IN 1999, DROVE CAR FOR 4 YEARS TIL 2004 WHEN TRANSMISSION FAILED. THERE WAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION. HAD TRANSMISSION BUILT, FAILED 3 MONTHS LATER. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT FAILED AGAIN TODAY 9 MONTHS AFTER LAST REBUILD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10113908
“TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN TRUCK IS IN MOTION, IF ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED IT STOPS BUT THEN RESUMES AFTER IT COMES BACK TO A STEADY PULL WHY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10102428
“TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE, SLIPS. CANNOT MOVE VEHICLE WITHOUT TOW. DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWS CODE 1870”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10207880

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering and front suspension component wear

STEERING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2004-08 → 2007-02

“I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT IF THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10086693
“TWO DAYS AGO, AT 50 MPH, I STARTED HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS (QUICKLY STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT TO STAY ON ROAD). IT IS IN THE SHOP (ONLY 84K MILES) TO THE TUNE OF $600 TO REPLACE BOTH BALL JOINTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10100496
“VEHICLE NOT STEERING PROPERLY AND IDLER ARM WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 65,000 MI”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10100498

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Multi-function switch and turn signal malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2004-04 → 2011-07

“CONSTANT TURN SIGNAL CLICKING NOISE WHEN SIGNAL IS NOT ENGAGED. NO LIGHTS FLASH. CLICKING ONLY STOPS WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10108374
“SMOKING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS BEING USED AND THEN THE TURN SIGNALS REFUSE TO TURN OFF. SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE IS SOME KIND OF A SHORT IN THE BLINKER SYSTEM. IF THIS IS NOT FIXED A FIRE COULD BE IN THE NEAR FUTURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10086896
“WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A BUZZING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI-SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10416268

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Reduced braking and ABS activation at low speed

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

12 NHTSA complaints · 2004-09 → 2019-12

“THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT LOW SPEEDS THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. BOTH WHEEL SPEED SENSORS OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WERE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10147610
“I HAVE A 1998 S-10 CHEVY BLAZER THAT HAS AN ABS PROBLEM. THE BRAKES ARE UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT A SAFE DISTANCE. 90% OF THE TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL RESISTS PRESSURE BEING PUT ON IT AND PUSHES BACK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10152577
“WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10094458

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cruise control and accelerator sticking

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

8 NHTSA complaints · 2004-11 → 2020-10

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11366257
“THE THROTTLE, ON MY 1998 BLAZER, STICKS WHEN FIRST DEPRESSED AND THEN ENGAGES, WITH THE THROTTLE PARTIALLY OPEN, SO THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10109822
“THE ACCELERATOR STUCK WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH CONSUMER MADE HER WAY BACK INTO THE EMPTY PARKING LOT, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE STILL IN GEAR. CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE PRIOR TO THE OCCURRENCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10099897

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.

51

complaints mentioning a crash

15

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 1998 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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