Wrench.Pro

1999 Chevrolet Blazer Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1999 Chevrolet Blazer has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Multifunction switch turn signal and flasher clicking.” 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.

Save this car as:

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 1999 Chevrolet Blazer.

Reported to NHTSA

Multifunction switch turn signal and flasher clicking

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

24 NHTSA complaints · 2004-06 → 2019-10

“THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH IN MY 1999 CHEVY BLAZER LS IS MALFUNCTIONING. DURING DRIVING, THE BLINKER SOUND IS CONSTANTLY CLICKING WHETHER OR NOT I AM MAKING A TURN OR ENABLING MY SAFETY HAZARD LIGHTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10302292
“THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH RESULTS IN THE RAPID CLICKING NOISE THAT CAN BE HEARD FROM BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX ON THE PASSENGER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10224034
“MY TURN SIGNAL BEEPING DOES NOT TURN OFF WHEN I NOT USING THE TURN SIGNAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10255404

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front wheel hub and bearing assembly failure

SUSPENSION

11 NHTSA complaints · 2003-07 → 2015-05

“BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ASSEMBLIES FAILED ON MY 1999 BLAZER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10058528
“I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT END WHEEL HUB BEARINGS BEFORE IT HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10038836
“GROANING NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE. DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING/HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10050821

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission shift problems and loss of reverse

POWER TRAIN

13 NHTSA complaints · 2004-01 → 2008-12

“VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE AT ALL, AND SHIFTING TO 3RD AND 4TH GEARS BECAME EXTREMELY SLUGGISH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10052580
“CHEVY BLAZER TRANMISSION WENT OUT. RPMS REV UP AND NO REVERSE GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10126973
“THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS A 1ST - 2ND SHIFT PROBLEM OR DEFECT AFTER SOME HIGHWAY DRIVING ON VERY WARM OR HOT DAYS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10073173

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front seat recliner handle breaking off

SEATS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2003-07 → 2005-08

“DRIVER SEAT RECLINER HANDLE BROKE OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10133679
“WHEN RECLINING DRIVER'S SEAT, THE METAL POST HOLDING THE ADJUSTMENT HANDLE BROKE OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10108401
“THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT RECLINING HANDLE STUD SHEARS OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10030455

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension ball joint wear and failure

SUSPENSION

14 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2011-09

“WHILE DRIVING (AT ABOUT 5 MPH) THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CAR DROPPED TO THAT SIDE, AND STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10153297
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH LOWER RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING WHEEL TO COLLAPSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10132664
“WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. AS A RESULT FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10111728

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Corroded brake lines and rotors causing brake loss

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 NHTSA complaints · 2004-07 → 2014-08

“ON SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010 MY 1999 CHEVY BLAZER FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10341521
“ON A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON MY 1999 CHEVY BLAZER, MY MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED, AND HE WAS CONCERNED THAT I WOULD LOSE THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10326712
“STEEL BRAKE LINES FROM ABS MODULE TO BRAKES CORRODING OR RUSTING THROUGH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10324788

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS activation and longer stopping distance at low speed

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

14 NHTSA complaints · 2005-03 → 2012-02

“EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10176220
“THE ABS BRAKES ENGAGED PREMATURELY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10117017
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY, CAUSING AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10449057

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags did not deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2003-12 → 2015-06

“THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN INJURIES OF THE CONTACT'S LEFT KNEE, ELBOW AND HEAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10161658
“THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10099164
“UPON IMPACT,NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10050546

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.

36

complaints mentioning a crash

9

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 1999 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.

Check another vehicle →