1997 Chevrolet Blazer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer: 4 recalls, 768 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #97V096001 · 1997 · 586,058 vehicles
What's wrong: The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Why it matters: If a separation occurred and there were secondary crash events or vehicle rollover, there would be no belt restraint of the occupant and increased injuries could occur.
The fix: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Suspension Vehicle recall #01V200000 · 2001 · 48,600 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. Failure of an upper control arm ball joint assembly could occur due to…
Why it matters: This can result in impaired steering or steering loss, or a partial or complete collapse of the front suspension, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both upper ball joints. Owner notification began September 4, 2001.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #03V093000 · 2003 · 507,171 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain sport utility vehicles, MINI vans, and pickup trucks May develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
Why it matters: If this were to happen, it could result in an inoperative switch, heat damage to the driver's door, and/or ignition of components in the driver's door and a subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning.
The fix: Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on April 24, 2003.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #03V117000 · 2003 · 312,715 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a driver's seat belt buckle assembly that contains an energy-absorbing loop. Sustained loads of sufficient magnitude and duration on the belt in severe crashes could fully deploy the buckle energy-absorbing loop, introducing a total of 10 additional inches of webbing into the seat belt system. The free falling latch plate used in this system May allow webbing to…
Why it matters: If the energy-absorbing loop fully deploys in a severe multiple rollover crash, it is possible that a belted driver May experience partial or even complete ejection from the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace the energy-absorbing seat belt assemblies with one that does not have the energy-absorbing loop. Owner notification began on August 8, 2003.
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Recall #01I018000 · 2001 · 0 vehicles
What's wrong: This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1996-1997 4-wheel drive Chevrolet blazer, GMC jimmy, and Oldsmobile bravada sport utility vehicles. Some owners have had to pay for replacement of the upper ball joints that have separated. Gm is providing a special policy to these owners to cover upper ball joint…
Why it matters: This could cause a loss of steering control of the vehicle.
The fix: Gm has decided to conduct a customer satisfaction campaign to replace the upper ball joints on affected vehicles. This special policy is for a period of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date the vheicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. The upper…
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E023000 · 2006 · 292,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 28 mention a fire, 64 injuries and 4 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (144): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (47), noise or vibration (21).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (129): the most common themes are electrical failure (15), noise or vibration (7).
- Transmission & drivetrain (110): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (35), noise or vibration (13).
- Suspension (105): the most common themes are noise or vibration (22), steering problems (10).
The 1997 Chevrolet Blazer has 768 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 27 Blazer model years for complaints (2.6× the average Blazer year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (123 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 85,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (1153 complaints, 6 recalls), 1998 (716 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet Blazer problems?
Owners have filed 768 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (144), visibility (wipers, glass) (129), transmission & drivetrain (110).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (4.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.