Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Blazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Complaint 1: hood latch problem!!! This is the same problem GM vehicles have been having for at least 25 years!!!!! The hood will not release unless you pull the release lever and pound on the hood. You would think they would borrow or use fords system of better parts!!!!-----complaint 2: the door panels have a weak area where the knee comes into contact with it on turns, mine cracked real bad!!! Complaint 3: main complaint:--the heater core started leaking and fogged my windshield up so bad I had to pull over to the side of the road. Could have caused a bad accident!!! I was in heavy traffic on hwy. 69 at mcalester OK. And had to pull off and wound up cutting the hoses and splicing to keep from running into heater core, this was on labor day 2003. I need to know if this is a problem the carmaker will correct for me for free. …
Front driver's side door does not latch due to the body of the strike plate on driver's side caving in. There was a crack around the sticker plate. The dealer adjusted the driver side sticker plate. The problem remained the same after adjustments were made. Two months after purchase the consumer would hear rattling on the passenger and the drivers side door. The seat belt would not release, the encoder motor had become inoperative after the module shorted, the stabilizer link nuts were missing, the left door would rattle when driven over bumps, when braking, a squealing noise was heard, there was a hesitation in the transmission when changing the reverse, the "trip meter" was inoperative, the was a rattle in the dash when driven over bumps, there was an oil leak, there was a rattle in the front suspension when driven over bumps, the left rear door would open by itself, and the tail gate …
I own a 1998 Chevy Blazer lt (4wd). The driver side front door began to drop an inch or two several months ago every time it is opened. It has gotten to the point that the door won't shut, because the latch is hitting the frame at an awkward angle every time it is closed. Several different body shops have stated that the door is to the point that it has to be welded back on. I have another GM truck in my family (1997 GMC jimmy) that is having the same problem. I have spoken with several other Blazer/jimmy owners and they are experiencing the same problem. This problem should be recognized and dealt with by GM. I will encourage others to submit similar complaints. In comparing this area of the vehicle to others, it appears as though proper support for the door was not included in manufacturing. I request that this problem be looked into and proper recalls issued.
Vehicle pulls to the right with violent vibration when going over 45 MPH. Have replaced the ball joints, new tires and had vehicle aligned 2 times. Two shops stated that there was nothing more they could do. Both found that the wheel base was off. The right side of my vehicle is 1/4" shorter than the left. Had vehicle inspected to see if it had been wrecked. Two body shops stated that there was no visual signs of a wreck. The carfax report came back that there had been no wrecks. Body shops also stated that putting the vehicle on a frame puller would not help because after taking it off the frame would most likely go back to the way it was. Went ahead and tried and the were both right. Have spent too much money trying to fix this problem and am in the process of speaking with Chevrolet headquarters. Any idea on what to do? Thinking of contacting my lawyer.
1. Driver and passenger seat recliner levers have broken over last few yrs, drivers side replaced 3 times, I had to pay 100. Deductible to fix each time. 2. Fuel guage indicator showed fuel tank 1/'2 full, no gas in the tank,car stopped in a dark street in an unsafe part of town, had to pay $100. Deductible to fix, no warning lights to show gas empty, car just suddenly stopped. 3.rear trunk latch would not work, had to pay deductible for dealer to fix. 4. Windshiield wiper mechanism stopped working, dealer replaced after we paid deductible. 5. Currently there is a rubbing noise from the brake pedal when pedal depressed, car no longer under extended warranty, was brought to dealer's attn sev times before warrnty expired, dealer mech could find no problm.
While driving, consumer noticed a semi truck had jack-knifed, consumer went around the truck and the front wheel hit a ditch causing vehicle to flip upside down, another semi attempted to go around the disabled truck when it too jack-knifed hitting consumer's vehicle sending it 175 feet, there was no roll bar in vehicle which would have helped in the situation, consumer was injured (minor) in accident.
Loud sound during acceleration (catalytic converter shot again not replaced, contacting GM, no assistance), oil leak on front of engine (power steering pully shaft seal), noisy ac compressor(replace), fluid leak on front of rear differential (replace yoke and seal [2nd seal]), rear differential clunks on acceleration (change case and shaft bearing), dash grill cracked, ideler arm replaced again.
We bought a 1998 Chevy Blazer on December 1, 2204, the alternator was bad, the wipers won't work, wiper module, and oil leaks from the oil cooler. Drivers side door leaks air badly. Wipers quit working in the middle of a snow storm, almost causing me to wreck the vehicle.
ABS brake pedal goes all the way to the floor when applied. Extended stopping distance occurs intermittently. Dealer contacted eight times and problem still exists. Cosmetic muffler system had to be replaced. Lower control lever on front drivers side broke off and was replaced. Short in the rear windshield wipers. Rear windshield wiper switch fell out of the dash.sunvisor hinges on mirror on passenger's side broke. Provide further information.
Driver's side & passenger side front door panels not seated correctly; doors constructed wrong, seated at angle, have gap and vibrate during vehicle operation; safety concern is that doors will fatigue and open during vehicle operation; panels "repaired" with scotch tape by dealer! Door design defective - dealership stated unable to repair.
Body complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, 3% of the model year's 716 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Blazer body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, though it has 3 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 1998 Chevrolet Blazer body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.