Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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. …
I bought my rig under a year ago and have been haveing problems with the trasmission,I have run out of gas many times because it doesn't register,my air conditioner doesn't work right,my brakes have locked up a few times and when I turn a corner it sounds like something crahing under my rig.I have had nothing done yet because it is going to cost me a whole lot to have all this replaced.my stereo went dead about a week after I got it also.I thought I was buying a good rig but,now I am finding out different and I paid good money for and am still paying for it.I have replaced the heater core it went out 3 weeks after I got it,the window went out a few day's after I got it and Ford barely replaced that for me.
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.
Dt: the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet s10 Blazer. The contact stated that the original computer to the vehicle malfunctioned and had to be replaced. The consumer replaced the computer, but this did not remedy the problem. A certified technician stated that there was gasoline that went into the computer underneath the hood through the wiring harness. The determination of the gasoline leakage has not been decided. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, and they would file and claim and possibly review it, and referred the consumer to contact NHTSA.
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.
I have a 1997 Chevy s-10 Blazer lt. I am having problems with the fuel gauge. I fill the tank and it reads full, I use the car and when it gets down to half tank the gauge starts going back up to full....I am empty when it reads full. This has been repaired once under waranty, but after about a year it started again. Chevy wont pay for it again because the warranty is out.
Fuel gauge ceases to function. Will correctly register full tank. As fuel is burned, the gauge level goes down until it reads half full, then starts going back up. When the tank is nearly empty, the gauge will read full. This is a common defect among Blazer owners, and GM acknowledges it in their service bulletins but no service solution is provided.
Fuel gage was reading full and we ran out of gas. I thought my wife had filled the car up and she thought I had. So, fortunately we were only 10-15 miles from help. We added a couple gallons of gas and filled up at the gas station. The problem hasn't been fixed yet. Gage seems to read OK till half a tank, then it seems to stay around a half a tank.
The check engine light illuminated. The consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic to have it checked and it was discovered, that the fuel injection system was leaking fuel onto the control module. Fuel wicking to top of the motor and to the power train control module set on top of the right side wheel well causinga fire hazard.
Fuel System complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, 11% of the model year's 768 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Blazer fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to fuel & propulsion 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.