1998 Chevrolet Blazer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer: 3 recalls, 716 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #97V218000 · 1997 · 19,716 vehicles
What's wrong: A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal. If the brake pipe breaks, the driver would experience a sudden drop in the brake pedal, the instrument panel brake light would illuminate, and there would be a loss of rear brake performance.
Why it matters: Partial loss of braking at a time when minimum stopping distance was required could result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
Suspension Vehicle recall #98V053000 · 1998 · 72 vehicles
What's wrong: One or both of the attaching nuts for the right-hand lower control arm are under torqued. This can allow the attachment bolt to loosen and subsequent break resulting in separation of the lower control arm from the frame.
Why it matters: This condition can result in a loss of vehicle control.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and retighten the right-hand lower control arm nuts to the proper torque specification.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #00V220000 · 2000 · 14,279 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the daytime running lights built with a candela value greater than 3,000 cannot be mounted higher than 864mm above the road surface.
Why it matters: These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108.
The fix: Dealers will install a revised wiring harness that changes the drl's from high beam to low beam drl's, and install new long-life low beam bulbs.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 15 mention a fire, 39 injuries and 13 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (256): the most common themes are electrical failure (22), stalls / loses power (16).
- Seats (84): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), noise or vibration (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (74): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (24), leaks (17), noise or vibration (13).
- Electrical (71): the most common themes are electrical failure (34), fire / smoke (15), door / lock issues (13).
The 1998 Chevrolet Blazer has 716 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 27 Blazer model years for complaints (2.4× the average Blazer year). Complaints peaked in 2003 (169 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 70,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (768 complaints, 4 recalls), 1999 (436 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 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 1998 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 1998 Chevrolet Blazer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. 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 1998 Chevrolet Blazer problems?
Owners have filed 716 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (256), seats (84), transmission & drivetrain (74).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 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.