Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. 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. 106 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.
The 25 most recent of 106, in the owner's own words
DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT DEFECT AS LISTED BELOW: MAKE: CHEVROLET MODEL: BLAZER MODEL YEAR(S): 1996 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 01V200000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT PER RECALL THIS VEHICLES IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AND IS ORIGINALLY FROM NEW JERSEY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL DRIFT IN THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I018000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $644.49 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,291.
I HAVE OCCURYING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 1997 CHEVY BLAZER WHICH INCLUDE THE BACK SEAT SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY,SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND BUSHINGS, CORROSION OF INTAKE GASKETS DUE TO DEXCOOL REQUIRED COOLANT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS MAKING A POPPING NOISE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT, WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ALIGN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. OCCASIONALLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS GRIND WHEN ACTIVATED. SHE STATED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WORKS, BUT THE ARMS DO NOT. IF SHE JIGGLES THE ARMS, THE WIPERS WOULD WORK TEMPORARILY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
OWNING THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE AND A FINANCIAL DRAIN. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED WHEN THEY CHOSE, REPLACED WIPER MOTOR DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART. UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. A/C STOPPED WORKING, HAD IT LOOKED AT AND RECHARGED AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. FUEL GAGE DIDN'T WORK, REPLACED FUEL SENSOR AND SENDING UNIT. REAR WIPER QUIT WORKING, REPLACED REAR WIPER MOTOR, A FEW DAYS LATER IT DOES NOT WORK AGAIN. REPLACED WATER PUMP, HAVE REPLACED ABS ONLY TO GET A RECALL AFTER THE FACT WITH NO REIMBURSEMENT. WEARS THROUGH BRAKE PADS ENTIRELY TOO FAST. REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TWICE. REAR HATCH DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY. HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THEY MIGHT AS WELL NOT EXIST. WATER LEAKS INTO INTERIOR ON DRIVERS SIDE DUE TO A BAD SEAL. IDLER ARM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. GAS PEDAL STICKS. NOW HEATER FAN WORKS SOMETIMES. READING THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. RECALLS ISSUED ON SOME VEHICLES BUT NOT ALL? NOW I HEAR GM PUT A BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON THESE AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER CARS (1997) AND DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY MATTER! THIS CAUSES ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND ULTIMATELY ENDS IN A REPAIR OF AT LEAST 1500.00. AFTER MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE I WILL BE PURCHASING SOON AND IT MOST LIKELY WILL NOT BE GM. SAD SINCE MY DAD WORKED FOR THEM FOR 30 YEARS. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUTTING A BAD PRODUCT ON THE MARKET AND LEAVING US TO DRY. *NM
DT: OWNER NOTICED AFTER WASHING THE CAR THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK. OWNER HAS TO STOP AND GET OUT AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IN ORDER TO GET THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK. SOMETIMES THE OWNER HAS TO GET OUT AND WIPE OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THE AUTO PARTS STORE TOLD THE OWNER THAT THERE WAS NO SEAL IN THE MOTOR OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THIS ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE MOTOR. THE OWNER HAS CHECKED WITH CHEVROLET AND THEY STATED OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE REPAIR. *NM THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS INFERIOR BALL JOINTS. *NM
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. THEN ON 8/14/05 MILES AT TIME IS 91,844 WHICH IS LESS THAN 5,000 MILES LATER THE UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE AND THE WHEEL FELL OVER THANK GOD WE WERE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE ONLY DOING 10 MPH OR WE COULD OF BEEN KILLED ANYWAY ALL THE DEALER IS DOING IS REPLACING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES THE LOWER THEY SAY IS OK THEY ARE NOT REPLACING THE WHEEL THAT WAS DESTROYED OR FOR A FRONT ALIGNMENT WHICH WILL BE NEEDED TO SAVE MY TIRES. *AK
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.
FAILURE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT RESULTED IN HIGH MAINTENANCE COST FOR REPLACEMENT. *JB
BALL JOINT UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING TODAY. SINCE I PURCHASED THIS 1997 BLAZER I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS-THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL,THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THESE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN RECALLED I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE USED AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP,WHOM BY THE WAY DID NOT TELL ME OF ANY OF THESE RECALLS. I HAVE HAD VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JB
CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND NO DEFECTS. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT END COLLAPSED.*AK
THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM THE UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL 01I0018000 INDICATING THAT THE TRUCK'S UPPER BALL JOINTS DIDN'T HAVE THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE RECALLED BALL JOINT, ALTHOUGH THE UPPER BALL JOINT HAVE FAILED. *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING THROUGH THE FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THE NEED TO BE REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. FEW MONTHS LATER, DEALERSHIP REPLACED PASSENGER'S SIDE HUB UNIT AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *MR
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK
RECALL 01V200000, LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION: WHILE CONSUMER WAS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY A LOUD CRACKING AND POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
PRIMARY: ELECTRICAL FAILURES! IGNITION SWITCH; MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS FOR WHICH NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER DEALER WORKED ON IT; VEHICLE STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT; ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT; MULTIPLE BATTERIES -DRAIN FOR UNIDENTIFIED REASON; FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND PUMP; UNEXPLAINED NOISES IN THE FRONT END; FRONT BALL JOINTS LOOSE FOR WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS WITHIN FACTORY LIMITS EVEN THOUGH MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT; AT THIS POINT I HAVE BECOME AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND STALLING BUT FEEL THAT I HAVE NO CHOICE BECAUSE THE COSTS TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE IS THAT OF THE PAYMENTS AND SOMETIMES MORE AND I CANNOT AFFORD THE REQUIRED MONEY DOWN TO REPLACE IT. BOTTOM LINE -I AM GETTING RID OF IT AS SOON AS I CAN SINCE I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR RECURRENT PROBLEMS. I NEED A RELIABLE VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT ONE AND FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND DEALT WITH -1997 CHEVY BLAZERS ARE NOT. THE RULE OUT THERE IS YOU EITHER HAVE A GOOD ONE OR A BAD ONE AND I CANNOT AFFORD ON MANY FRONTS THE ONE I HAVE. AT LEAST CHEVY SHOULD OWN UP TO THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS PARTICULARLY SINCE IT IS TIED TO A MOVING VEHICLE STALLING OUT AND PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES AT RISK. I WILL NOT OWN ANOTHER CHEVY ONCE I CAN GET RID OF THIS ONE. THE INCIDENT DATE REFERS TO THE PERIOD STARTING WITH THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FAILURES. *LA
TRUCKS UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BECAUSE OF PREMATURE WEAR. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE FRONT END TO COLLAPSE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
I TOOK MY 1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER IN TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE ALL TIRES REPLACED. I WAS CALLED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER TO BE INFORMED BY HIM THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD, ALSO THE IDLER ARM NEEDED REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RE-CALL SOME TIME AGO THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD REPLACE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. AFTER CALLING GENERAL MOTORS, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE "VIN #" FOR THIS RECALL. *LA
CONSUMER HEARD SCREECHING NOISES THAT CAME FROM THE WHEELS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 2001. IT DID NOT DUPLICATE ITSELF WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, OWNER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT'S, BUT IT WASN'T A RECALL LETTER. OWNER DID RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT CHECK FOR $400.00, WHICH WAS A FRACTION OF WHAT IT COST HIM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED.*AK
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDS REPLACED. UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED WITH THE 2001 RECALL FROM GM. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 31,000 MILES
LACK OF ASSISTANCE IN REMEDYING DEFECTS OF RECORD. SOON AFTER THE NOTIFICATION ABOUT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE 97 CHEVY BLAZERS (MY SUV ORIGINATED IN DELAWARE, I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY BLEW ME OFF AND WOULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAD TO HAVE ONE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. NOW I GET THE SAME THING ABOUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. MY WIPERS ARE NOW INTERMITTENT. THEY WILL STOP GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY RESTART WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. MOST OF THE TIME THEY WORK PERFECTLY. IT IS THE UNEXPECTED STOP THAT IS SCARY. I HAVE ALSO RECEIVED A NOTICE ON THE DRIVER SEAT BELT. JUST WHO AM I SUPPOSE TO CALL. LINDSAY SURE DOESN'T WANT TO REMEDY THE SITUATIONS.
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE DRIVER COULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE. TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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