Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
For three years in the summers I could not drive far without smoke trickling up by the passenger side windshield. Never happened in the winter. Took it to several mechanics and transmission shops, no one could find the problem. This year it caught on fire and I had to junk the vehicle. My neighbors 2000 Blazer is doing the same thing now.
97 Blazer cooling system failure. From the time I bought the car the cooling system had trouble. The radiator had a leak ( 34391 miles), the cooling system clogged up and the heater core leaked from dex-cool gelling up ( 65265 miles ), again heater core leaking from bad dex-cool ( 104044 miles ), heater core leaking (114387 miles). Each time the heater core had to be replaced. The cooling system had to be acid flushed by the dealer because the dex-cool gelled up. All these repairs where done by GM dealer. The dealer could not tell me why the dex-cool was gelling up or the heater core kept leaking. I filed a complaint with GMC (complaint # 1-152407734) GMC could not help me. I found out from a radiator repair shop that they have had many GM cooling system failures du to the dex-cool causing electrolysis. This is the main cause of my problem and GM and the dealer will not address it. …
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. …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that the engine failed on three different occasions. After waiting 5-10 minutes, the vehicle restarted. The failure has occurred while making a turn, driving downhill at approximately 15 MPH, and another time while driving approximately 55 MPH. After the most recent failure, the vehicle was taken to a repair shop the next day. The mecahnic was unable to duplicate the failure and advised the contact to wait until it occurs again. The vehicle has been driven for almost a month and the failure has not recurred. The failures were intermittent and no warning indicators were present. Once the failure occurred, the key could not be turned or removed from the ignition and everything failed. The current and failure mileages were 60,000. Updated 01/11/08. Updated
The transmission in my vehicle has a defective valve body and it caused my transmission to break, I went to the dealer when I first had the problem of a hard shift from first to second gear when the vehicle was being driven long distances. The dealer said the vehicle is shifting fine and to bring it back when it does it again. This was back on 08/19/02 and now I have a code 1870 on the computer and the transmission is shot. I found out the transmission is a 4l60e and it is very unreliable. Also I already had to change my water pump and alternator and my gas gauge does not work and there is a problem with my windshield wipers also.
I have had coolant leakage in my 1997 cheverolet Blazer and have talked to people at different dealers to no avail no one recommended that I have a systems check now I find out there is a technical bulletin that I stumbled upon at jasper engines that shows that the 1992 through 1997 GM 4.3l VIN r&w engines have the problem that coolant loss has been associated with cracks that May develop in the lifter valley area of the block. Until I came upon this nobody could give me a answer is there any thing that can be done to help me resolve this issue.
Ball joint upper control arm broke as I was driving today. Since I purchased this 1997 Blazer I have had nothing but problems-the windshield wipers fail,the water pump has been replaced the fuel pump has also been replaced. This vehicle has less than 60,000 miles. I just found out that most of these problem have been recalled I was never notified. I purchase the vehicle used at a local dealership,whom by the way did not tell me of any of these recalls. I have had very serious and dangerous problems with this vehicle.
Driving south on I-5. Heard loud rattling noise which became loud banging noise, followed by boom and white smoke pouring out from under the hood. Car spun around several times before I could gain control. Engine blew. This car has cost me $4490 in repairs from 1/1/04 to 9/26/05. Car well maintained - I have all receipts for work. Aaa auto svcs team conducting independent investigation as to cause of this incident. Updated 12/12/05.
The vacuum and EGR valve caused the problem with brake failure. Brakes felt like pushing on a brick when going downhill. Was making squealing noises. Had no brakes. Vehicle went over an embankment & flipped. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Dealer informed owner of intermittent problems with brakes. Driver has back problem due to accident.
While driving at 35 MPH vehicle overheated and stalled, vehicle was towed to independent shop, technician diagnosed that coolant turned into acid and damaged the intake manifold/water pump/ thermostat, and radiator. Dealer notified.
Engine complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 93 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, 12% of the model year's 768 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Blazer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 4 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.