RoadVitals

1997 Chevrolet Blazer Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Mar 21, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 768 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 21, 2014

I WAS GOING THROUGH A ROUNDABOUT AND PUT MY RIGHT TURNING SIGNAL ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PULL OVER. AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK IT DID START. AFTER THAT I PARKED IT AT A GAS STATION TURNED IT OFF WENT TO LEAVE AND THE SUV WOULD NOT START. I TOOK THE STEERING COLUMN COVER OFF AND STARTING KNOCKING ON THINGS AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. I LATER FOUND THAT IT WAS A WIRING HARNESS THAT FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED AFTER THAT EVERYTHING RAN GREAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573925
Incident
Aug 1, 2012
Mileage
170,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 10, 2011

97 CHEVY BLAZER LEFT TURN SIGNAL MAKES THE DASH LIGHTS FLASH THEN WHEN I TURN PARKING LIGHTS ON LEFT SIGNAL STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN ENGAGED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10389804
Incident
Mar 10, 2011
Mileage
160,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 18, 2004

COMPLAINT SENT VIA-EMAIL." I HAD TO HAVE THE MULTI FUNCTIONAL SWITCH REPLACED AND IT'S GOING OUT AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY FLASH FROM DIM TO BRIGHT WHEN I TRY TO USE THE SWITCH. I HAD IT WORKED ON BY A DEALERSHIP AND NOW IT'S AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP BEING WORKED ON FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE COST OR REPAIRS IS OUTRAGEOUS." *JB

NHTSA ID
10097042
Incident
Sep 7, 2004
Mileage
98,176 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 17, 2004

THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO BE INOPERABLE. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THAT PART TWICE AND I WILL NEED TO DO IT AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10078380
Incident
Jun 17, 2004
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting+2 more
Filed Dec 23, 2003

WIRING BUNDLE HOLDER ABOVE TRANSMISSION ONE OF WHICH GOES TO THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH FAILS AND LETS WIRING BUNDLE FALL ON TRANSMISSION AND RUBS THE COATING OFF OF THE WIRING CAUSING ELECTICAL SHORTS; DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHTS, TRANSMISSION FAILURE ( NOTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION)INTERIOR LIGHTING GOES OUT OR STAYS ON ALL THE TIME CAUSING BATTERY TO GO DEAD OVERNIGHT, BURNING OF WIRING ESPECIALLY UNDER DASH AND AT FUSE BOX AND TRANSMISSION SWITCH (NO FIRE RESULTED, UNHOOKED BATTERY REMOVED FUSES,AND HAD WIRE REPLACED TO TRANSMISSION SWITCH THEN TRASMISSION WORKED; NO FAILURE OF SWICTH JUST WIRING,WIPER AND NIGHT LIGHT FAILURES AND MORE. TRANSMISSION AUTO REPAIR SAYS IT IS NUMBER 1 FAILURE AND HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE DEALER SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. I STILL HAVE ELECTRAL PROBLEMS I HAVE TO GET FIXED. SOME RECALLS WERE MADE ON THIS AUTO THAT MAY BE DUE TO THIS SHORTAGE CAUSED BY WIRING BUNDLE FALLING ABOVE THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
10051022
Incident
May 10, 2003
Mileage
59,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Aug 12, 2003

I HAVE A 1997 CHEROLETY BLAZER AND HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE MODEL YEAR 2000-2001 RECALL COVERS. MY BOTTOM BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE AS WELL AS MY HAZARD LIGHTS. THE UPPER CENTER BRAKE LIGHT WORKS FINE. IF I PUSH MY HAZARD SWITCH TO THE SIDE, MY BOTTOM BRAKE LIGHTS WORK AND THE TOP ONE DOESN'T. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED GM AND HAVE NO SATISFACTION AFTER EXPLAINING THE SITUATION. THIS BRAKE LIGHT/HAZARD SIGNAL IS ALSO A PROBLEM ON THE 1998 MODELS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OWNERS OF EARLIER MODELS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THEIR BRAKE AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. IS THERE A WAY TO GET GM TO INCLUDE EARLIER MODEL YEAR SUVS INTO THIS RECALL? *AK

NHTSA ID
10032649
Incident
Aug 2, 2003
Mileage
90,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 19, 2003

THE TURN SIGNAL ON OUR 1997 CHEVY BLAZER JUST STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I CALLED THE SHOP TO GET AN APPOINTMENT I WAS TOLD THAT THAT WAS A PART THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED BUT ACCORDING TO MY VIN #, MY TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED. I HAD TO PAY 594.19, FOR A REPLACEMENT PARTS AND SERVICE. THE PART IS CALLED A MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT SHORTED OUT. NOW I HAVE DRIVEN LOTS OF CARS AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS SWITCH GOING OUT. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IF IT SHORTED OUT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET MY PART REPLACED EVEN IF MY VIN# DIDN'T MATCH. BASICALLY IF CHEVROLET MADE A BAD PART IT SHOULD REPLACE ALL OF THEM, NOT JUST PICK AND CHOSE SO THAT THEY CAN SAVE MONEY.

NHTSA ID
10007812
Incident
Feb 13, 2003
Mileage
70,000 mi
AirbagsHeating & air conditioningElectrical+3 more
Filed Jan 15, 2003

NAR 02/10/2003. THE CONSUMER HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, THE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, THE TURN SIGNALS WENT OUT, 2 BATTERIES FAILED WITHIN A YEAR, THE ALTERNATOR AND BELT FAILED, THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10008661
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Feb 4, 2002

BRAKE LIGHTS AND FOURWAY FLASHERS WENT OUT IN MY 1997 BLAZER.TODAY IN THE NEWSPAPER IN THE AUTO RECALL SECTION I FOUND OUT THAT CHEVROLET IS RECALLING 2000 AND 2001 BLAZERS FOR THE SAME PROBLOM.I HAVE TWO 1998 CHEVY TRUCKS AT WORK,I REPLACED THE 4WAY,TURNSYGNAL SWITCHES THREE TIMES IN EACH TRUCK.I BELIEVE WHEN SOMTHING EFFECTS YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS WITHOUT THE DRIVER AWARE OF THE PROBLOM IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
757760
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Feb 16, 2000

SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 33 MILES, I HAVE SPENT APP. $2,000 ON IT, ABOVE THE WTY'S AND MAINT. 12/96 - PASSENGER SIDE GOT FLOODED, 9/97 RECALL DONE, SUCKING AIR SOUND ( NOT FOUND BY TECH.),1/98 - COMPLETE MAIT 15K + 4X4 SERVICE($235), 2/98 -F. BRAKES + MACHINED ROTORS ($162), GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING TOOK, REMOVED DASH( BROKE HAZARD LIGHT) REPLACED GAS TANK SENSOR -3 DAYS(RENTAL GIVEN) 1 DAY LATER, FILLED THE TANK AND THE GAS RAN OUT ( A DAY LOST AT WORK), 1/99 - 4X4 SWITCH REPLACED, 7/99 - REPLACED F.BRAKES ,2 BALL JOINTS, NEW ROTORS,2 REAR AXLE SEALS + CLEANED OIL OUT OF REAR BRAKE($540), 9/99 - CAR DOESN'T START ONCE REPLACED BATTERY, SERPENTINE BELT($248), 1/00 - WIPERS WORK OFF+ ON- REPLACED WIPER BOARD, REPLACED STARTER WITH REBUILT + WTY, 2 COOLER LINES($799). NOW WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE SALES PERSON AGREED TO GIVE A RENTAL, A NEW SERVICE MAN STARTS AND SAYS" I'M NEW AND YOU DON'T GET A RENTAL UNLESS IT;S IN OVER NIGHT" JUST TO LET YOU NO I"M A MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND JUST CAN'T MISS WORK AT ANY TIME THE CAR IS IN FOR REPAIRS. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
718817
Incident
Jan 12, 2000
EngineFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Mar 28, 1999

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID
544658
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 12, 1999

THE DATE I LISTED FOR FAILURE WAS THE LAST FAILURE DATE, YESTERDAY. TEH FIRST DATE WAS ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I HAVE CONTACTED BOB FISCHER CHEVROLET. I GOT THE VEHICLE FROM TITUSVILLE CHEV, BUT THEY ARE OUT OF BUSINESS AND BOB FISCHER TOOK OVER THEIR BUSINESS. I ALSO CONTACTED CHEVROLET, THE MANUFACTURER. I ALSO CONTACTED MY LEASE COMPANY. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE. I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO RENT A VEHICLE. CHEVROLET TOLD ME TO TAKE MY BLAZER IN TO BOB FISCHER AND LEAVE IT UNTIL THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON IN THEIR SERVICE DEPT SO THEY CAN TRACE IT. SINCE THIS ONLY OCCURS WHEN IT IS COLD AND IT DOESN'T GET COLD IN FLORIDA VERY MUCH YET, MY TRUCK COULD BE THERE FOR WEEKS AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO WORK. I ASKED FOR A LOANER VEHICLE. THEY SAID THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ONE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT AFTER THEY DO DISCOVER THE PROBLEM, THEY STILL MAY NOT FIX IT FOR FREE, BUT MAY REPAIR IT AT A REDUCED PRICE. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING FOR ME AND VERY DANGEROUS. CAN YOU HELP ME, PLEASE?

NHTSA ID
700967
Incident
Nov 27, 1998
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 5, 1998

THE DESIGN OF THE DIFUSER DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHT ON ROAD SURFACES CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
542440
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 15, 1998

THE LIGHTING OF THE HEADLIGHTS IS POOR, AFFECTS VISIBILITY, AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE HEADLIGHT MEETS FMVSS. NO REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
829024
Incident
Aug 15, 1998
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Oct 15, 1997

HESITATION GOING AROUND CORNERS/UP HILLS, TRANSMSSION SEEMS TO SHIFT PREMATURELY.

NHTSA ID
523770
Incident
Mar 26, 1997
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 16, 1997

DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS IN THE VEHICLE ARE VERY QUIET, CONSUMER FEELS THEY SHOULD BE LOUDER.

NHTSA ID
522098

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .