VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet Blazer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,025 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 25.3 times the median Blazer year — the 1998 model ranks #4 of 46 Blazer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 33 deaths and 55 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 268 reports (26% of the total).

1,025

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

58

Crash-involved

20

Fires reported

55

Injuries

33

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Blazer years?

Blazer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted1,707 complaints1969: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 1 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 1 complaints1977: 2 complaints1978: 2 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 35 complaints1986: 21 complaints1987: 38 complaints1988: 45 complaints1989: 47 complaints1990: 42 complaints1991: 267 complaints1992: 337 complaints1993: 616 complaints1994: 774 complaints1995: 1,707 complaints1996: 1,579 complaints1997: 1,098 complaints1998: 1,025 complaints1999: 612 complaints2000: 885 complaints2001: 464 complaints2002: 301 complaints2003: 103 complaints2004: 67 complaints2005: 18 complaints2006: 20 complaints2007: 11 complaints2008: 5 complaints2019: 287 complaints2020: 345 complaints2021: 191 complaints2022: 66 complaints2023: 58 complaints2024: 59 complaints2025: 39 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Blazer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Blazer years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Blazer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers26826%
Electrical System899%
Seats848%
Transmission778%
Brakes778%
Engine727%
Suspension677%
Lighting505%
Airbags414%
Speed Control353%
Steering333%
Fuel System313%
Body & Structure273%
Other182%
Seat Belts182%
Tires & Wheels172%
Latches & Locks151%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)40%
Child Seat20%

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V220000LightingAugust 11, 2000 · 14,279 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

98V053000SuspensionMarch 9, 1998 · 72 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

97V218000BrakesNovember 24, 1997 · 19,716 units

Defect

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, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THERE ARE 2 RECALLS FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING/INTERMITTENLY WORKING FOR 1996 BLAZER - MY 1998 BLAZER IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE BUT I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALLS WITH MY 1998. IT HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTEN PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS AND NOW THEY JUST STOPPED. THE FUSE IS GOOD AND THERE IS A LOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 7, 2008

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 24, 2011 · fire

“THE HANDLE CONTROLLING THE RECLINE FUNCTION ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAS BROKEN. THE DRIVER SIDE WAS REPLACED ONCE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BOTH SEATS ARE NOW IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. AROUND APRIL, 2003, THE HOOD LATCH BROKE AND IT TAKES FOREVER TO MANEUVER TO GET THE HOOD UP TO CHECK THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · February 1, 2002 · crash · fire

“ENTERING HIGHWAY AND GETTING PREPARED TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER LANE, ANOTHER TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER PULLED IN FRONT OF THE CAR AHEAD OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. HE HIT THE BRAKES AND SO DID THE CONSUMER, BUT BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ON HER WAY TO THE COBBS CHEVROLET BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 13, 1999 · crash

“ENTERING HIGHWAY AND GETTING PREPARED TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER LANE, ANOTHER TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER PULLED IN FRONT OF THE CAR AHEAD OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. HE HIT THE BRAKES AND SO DID THE CONSUMER, BUT BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ON HER WAY TO THE COBBS CHEVROLET BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 13, 1999 · crash

1998 Chevrolet Blazer — common questions

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,025 complaints put the 1998 model at #4 of 46 Blazer years. It is one of the Blazer years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Blazer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (268 complaints), electrical system (89 complaints), seats (84 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Blazer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Blazer years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 1994, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2020, 1992, 2002, 2019, 1991, 2021, 2003, 2004, 2022. The cleanest record among Blazer years belongs to 1975.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.