1998 Chevrolet Blazer
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Blazer › 1998
These records cover every 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. Newest first.
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. 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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108.
Remedy
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.
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicle equipped with 4-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. 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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition can result in a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and retighten the right-hand lower control arm nuts to the proper torque specification.
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. 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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Partial loss of braking at a time when minimum stopping distance was required could result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
Owner complaints
716 complaints46 involved a crash15 involved a fire39 injuries13 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
After using the cruise control the first time on the highway at 65mph , it stuck and would not shut off. The vehicle accelerates to a dangerous speed and the breaks barely helped. Even after turning the car off taking out the battery and putting it back, it did not reset. Cruise will not disengage.
- Service brakes
My ABS light IS always on as well as my gas gauge not working
- Air bags
I had a wreck hit a deer on my driver side front bumper my air bag light came on and IS still on its make a popping sound ever since that happen and it scares mey light stays on.
- Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. While entering a parking lot at 20 mph, the accelerator pedal traveled all the way to the floorboard and the speed increased to 45 mph. The contact attempted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle did not stop. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. While entering a parking lot at 20 mph, the accelerator pedal traveled all the way to the floorboard and the speed increased to 45 mph. The contact attempted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle did not stop. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the front of a building. The contact placed the vehicle in reverse and drove out of the building, but the accelerator pedal was still all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle eventually stalled. A police report was filed. The contact sustained four fractured ribs, which required medical attention. The vehicle was picked up by a tow truck (paid for by the manufacturer) and towed to the contact's residence. The contact was awaiting an investigator to render a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 884883. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.
- Service brakes
1998 chevy blazer does not brakes do not pump up and hold they are spongy.
- Engine · Service brakes · Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. While driving with the cruise control activated at 50 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. Instead, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, turned off the…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. While driving with the cruise control activated at 50 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. Instead, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, turned off the engine, and restarted the vehicle. In addition, while the vehicle was in park, it unintentionally accelerated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The vin was not available.
- Engine
There was a class action regarding the dexcool coolant issues that degraded the engine gaskets. I had not known of it as the manufacture or other did not notify of it. the only way I found out was searching for another car issue online a few years after the said issue. what IS this, 'keep all a…
There was a class action regarding the dexcool coolant issues that degraded the engine gaskets. I had not known of it as the manufacture or other did not notify of it. the only way I found out was searching for another car issue online a few years after the said issue. what IS this, 'keep all a secret so we do not have to deal with it.'? This has been a few years ago, hence the jan 2010 date entry as guess to the date of online knowledge. If a closer date needed; I can research.
- Visibility/wiper
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph in the rain, the windshield wipers failed without warning. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder of the road where the windshield wipers could be activated after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph in the rain, the windshield wipers failed without warning. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder of the road where the windshield wipers could be activated after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
- Visibility/wiper
The wipers will not work. The wiper motor seems to have an issue. It gets real hot when connected. And I had just bought this vehicle on 11/19/2015
- Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the vehicle, the key code failed causing the vehicle to not start. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to a dealer. The dealer refused to inspect the…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the vehicle, the key code failed causing the vehicle to not start. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to a dealer. The dealer refused to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 199,573.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. While driving 60 mph, the windshield wiper blades stopped working without warning. The failure occurred intermittently. The windshield wipers were previously repaired by the dealer on two occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
- Fuel/propulsion system
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spider fuel injection system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spider fuel injection system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, a pedestrian observed that there was a substance leaking from the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the fuel tank and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who stated that an unknown wire in the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Visibility/wiper
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. the contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to work intermittently and the front passenger window failed to go up. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
- Electrical system
I was driving my vehicle with my children inside and webt 35 miles away from home and my vehicle security light came on and I called the dealers and they told me I would have to come to get a diagnosis for $109.00 well on my way home my vehicle shut down due to the security light in the middle of…
I was driving my vehicle with my children inside and webt 35 miles away from home and my vehicle security light came on and I called the dealers and they told me I would have to come to get a diagnosis for $109.00 well on my way home my vehicle shut down due to the security light in the middle of the highway and it would not turn back on so I googled a reset and reset it snd the vehicle turned on but again shut down on me on the highway. I feel its very dangerous driving and vehicle shutd down when security light IS blinking and a another vehicle almost struck me when my vehicle shut down. I have read a lot of complaints about the security light that just apears for no reason and cant get rid of it. Not even a mechanic can fix it , only the dealers them self can fix it. I feel they need to fix this problem asap before someone gets hurt. Thank you *tr
- Suspension · Tires
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. While driving 50 mph, the contact heard a loud banging sound and discovered that the rear passenger side tire detached from the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle dropped to the pavement. In addition, all of the bolts sheared off, the lug nut was…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. While driving 50 mph, the contact heard a loud banging sound and discovered that the rear passenger side tire detached from the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle dropped to the pavement. In addition, all of the bolts sheared off, the lug nut was missing, and the rotor was destroyed. The quarter panel and the bumper were bent. The vehicle was not diagnosed, but the contact was able to re-attach the tire to the vehicle and replace the studs. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 10/03/14*lj updated 3/10/2015 *js
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting › Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and would stall intermittently. In addition, the power door locks would lock and unlock and the windshield wipers activated independently while the vehicle was in motion. The contact further stated…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and would stall intermittently. In addition, the power door locks would lock and unlock and the windshield wipers activated independently while the vehicle was in motion. The contact further stated that the dimmer switch failed to work, which resulted in a lack of visibility when using the low beam headlights. The vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 00v220000 (exterior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
- Electrical system · Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On 3-17 experienced loud screeching sound when ignition was engaged to start engine, and simultaneously the console alert light blinked off and on . on 3-19 mechanic investigated and found a faulty ignition switch. *tr
- Service brakes · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that while driving 4 mph and depressing the brakes, the vehicle failed to decelerate or stop. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 145,000. updated 8/19/13 *cn the consumer sated the brake line was so rusty, it had a hole in it. All of the brake lines had to be replaced.
- Seat belts
The back seat middle buckle broke into two pieces and now it IS broken, then the right side back seat buckle IS in some kind of locking mode and then the right side passenger belt locked up too a few days later. Now I have only two seat belts that work in the SUV. I have called the local chevy…
The back seat middle buckle broke into two pieces and now it IS broken, then the right side back seat buckle IS in some kind of locking mode and then the right side passenger belt locked up too a few days later. Now I have only two seat belts that work in the SUV. I have called the local chevy dealers hoping that they could help with this problem but they said it would be almost 400.00 to fix this problem. My brother owned a 1990 honda civic and brought it to a honda dealer and they fixed it at no cost because belts are safety issue and have a life time warranty. I thought chevy would have the warranty but the chevy dealer inform no and never will that happen. Please help try to fix this problem. I am a single mother of four young children and if it possible to do myself, I am willing to do it, because this IS my own only transportation to get to work and school for our family and I can not use my SUV until I have get this safety issue worked out. Please please help me. I have purchased four belts for my pulley for my SUV and still have the same problem. Its sounds like a squeaking and whistling. I have had replacement it myself the first time but it still did the same thing so I brought my car to local mechanic and still no luck, so I bought it to chevy it worked fine for a few weeks then started it again, so new one was put on. Then a couple months later it started again, so they put another new belt, then it started up again a few months later but the one year warranty time was up,but it still does it. IS this normal? *tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic · Suspension · Vehicle speed control
When applied the brakes there IS some roughness under the vehicle brakes has been changed and some time getting jammed. *tr
- Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. while driving, the contact stated that the vehicle made a buzzing noise in the front end of the vehicle. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. A local mechanic diagnosed that the multi-switch was defective. the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable. The current mileage was 128,000.
- Electrical system
1998 chevrolet blazer. Unit #1 was traveling east on the ohio turnpike in the center lane. Driver of unit #1 stated he heard a loud explosion come from the rear of the vehicle. Unit #1 pulled over to the left berm where it caught on fire. *Ln according to the police report, the vehicle burned…
1998 chevrolet blazer. Unit #1 was traveling east on the ohio turnpike in the center lane. Driver of unit #1 stated he heard a loud explosion come from the rear of the vehicle. Unit #1 pulled over to the left berm where it caught on fire. *Ln according to the police report, the vehicle burned completely down to the metal and there was no way to determine what started the fire. (Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0450-90)*jb
- Engine and engine cooling
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that the engine overheated. She took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where the radiator and the heat and coolant thermostat were replaced, but the failure wasn't corrected. The manufacturer will be notified. The failure mileage was 30,000. The current mileage was 60,000.
- Child seat
We were recently in an auto accident. though we were only going about 30 mph our child's anchor strap ripped free from the screw that secured the strap to the car seat base. this caused my child to be thrown sideways in the seat. (related vehicle information: model year=1998, make=chevy, model=[xxx] ) information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *Tr
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Intermittent windshield wiper. fault due to faulty circuit board which fixed problem. gm was aware of defect but refused to guarantee repair on this make and model since they only covered up to year prior to 1998. *Tr
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Front control arm ball joints
See attached page.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10248444Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10232287This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10208027This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10171318This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10166638This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10157018This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10154641This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10139019This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on High Oil Pressure on Startup After Engine Replacement Concern.
- 10138060This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10137901This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.
- 10114947This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10114924This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10114443This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an inaccurate fuel gauge. Technician should drive the vehicle to duplicate the concern. The fuel gauge will have a tendency to falsely indicate a lower fuel level than what is actually present. The fuel gauge will take a few minutes to show the correct fuel level. On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission no buffering takes place when the transmission is in park or neutral. This is a normal characteristic and no repairs are necessary. On vehicles equipped with a manual transmission the fuel gauge is buffered in all gears and neutral. There is a timer which starts to count up when the clutch is depressed. When this timer reaches its calibrated value the buffering stops. This is a normal characteristic and no repairs are necessary.
- 10113443This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10113258This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint lamp, Service Vehicle Soon lamp on and/or radio locked, possibly after module replacement. Technician will need to check for an incorrect or non-existent VIN number in modules that require them. Technician should ensure that all modules that are replaced are programmed per currently published Service Information. Technician should also check the Sensing and Diagnostic Module part number if it was replaced.
- 10096073This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a harsh 1-2 upshift and the check engine light or service engine soon indicator IS illuminated. If you have duplicated the customers concern and found diagnostic trouble code p0894 or p1870 set in the transmission control module please contact general motors technical assistance center.
- 10082506This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in colder ambient temperature areas due to calibration concerns.
- 10026704GMC: fuel gauge fluctuation in park or neutral, causing the low fuel light to illuminate.
- 10020462Clunk noise felt through the floor pan.
- 10018585Fuel and temperature gauge inoperative, low fuel and battery light on, prndl inoperative.
- 10016473Water leak in front floor carpet area. Gm tech link.
- 100148094WD inoperative and diagnostic trouble code (dtc) u1026 atc fuse open.
- 100135724WD models with noise, vibration on dry pavement.
- 10012703Diagnostic information for intermittent vehicle no crank dead battery.
- 10011080Power seat inoperative fore/aft after being moved all the way rearward.
- 10010877Front axle grind whine noise in 2WD gone in 4WD.
- 10010270Heat coming from vents with hvac off.
- 10010053Instrument cluster prndl inoperative and or battery light on.
- 10009647Driver information center (dic) stays in bulb check.
- 10009382Fuel gauge fluctuation in park or neutral.
- 10007838Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan.
- 100072374L60e, 4l65e forward and low reverse waved steel clutch plate appearance change.
- 10006961Pop snap noise in the front suspension when braking.
- 100063634.3 L35 LU3 rattle or buzz noise from engine. Sit bulletin 1457619.
- 10006115Rear parking brake shoe retaining spring clip service kit for drum-in-hat (dih) equipped vehicles. Update.
- 100055664L60-e automatic transmission oil pump first and second design identification.
Every Chevrolet Blazer model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.