Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chevrolet Blazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driver's side rear view mirror switch wiring caught on fire. My husband had to tear the door panel up to keep my Blazer from burning up. GM refuses to fix this under the recall because my VIN number does not fall in the sequence of those that were recalled for this defect. My interior dome light caught on fire as well. My husband had to pull off the cover and break the bulb out of the housing to keep the Blazer from burning. Dealer will probably refuse to fix this as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer. While driving at an unknown speed, the ABS warning light illuminated and the front brakes locked up intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS pump and electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,300.
After only 70,000 miles I had to get a new engine. It also never wanted to start when it was cold and wet out. Then just yesterday I was driving down the road when smoke started to come in through the heat vents. The electric wires caught fire under the hood on passenger side of car near firewall. Went up in a matter of seconds. Destroyed the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while driving over a bump in the road, the instrument cluster lights suddenly flickered and dimmed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
1997 Chevrolet Blazer, when passing a semi on interstate, vehicle acted like it was missing, after passing, looked in mirror, saw smoke, pulled over, popped hood engine on fire unable to put out with extinguisher...fire engulfed vehicle, completely totaling it.
ABS wire caught fire on my 1997 Chevy Blazer after turning it off. And caught antifreeze reservoir on fire. Luckily I could catch it before it burned the truck up. Called dealer and they said that there was no recall on the problem.
Complaint received via e-mail. My car caught on fire and burned while driving at 65 MPH on the highway. There were no brakes , but it burned enough to stop in a person's yard just off the highway.
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 …
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. …
97 Blazer with original low miles had engine stop both on and off the highway several times but it would start back up. In jan while driving down the highway the service engine light came on and rpms went up. We pulled off and found the transmission was stuck in 3'rd gear. Also key would not release to remove. Errors came up p1860 p0785 and p740 that refer to transmission. The problem was not transmission but ignition switch contact block commonly called the ignition switch, it is the contact section and not the key or lock cylinder. This ignition switch had already been replaced once. GM has a service bulletin #17006264 on the ignition switch and this appears to be a big problem across many years and models but no recall was issued. …
Electrical complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, 12% of the model year's 768 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Blazer electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Blazer electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 15 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.