Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated on its own and made a rattling noise. The vehicle failed to stop when the brakes were applied. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral in order to slow it down and noticed that the throttle had become stuck. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 90,000. Updated 02-04-08. The consumer stated wheels were smoking as a result of the brake pads having been worn. Updated 02/01/08
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. While driving with the cruise control activated at 50 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. Instead, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, turned off the engine, and restarted the vehicle. In addition, while the vehicle was in park, it unintentionally accelerated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to stop at 4 MPH the antilock brakes failed causing the vehicle to hit a mailbox. This occurred during normal braking on a road covered with snow. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer therefore, no repairs were made.
While driving my vehicle the cruise control went into resume and failed to let me slow down or stop vehicle. I applied the brakes several times, and I also applied the gas, while holding both feet over the brakes, vehicle still wouldn't disengage. I drove the vehicle in that position for about one mile, trying to get it to stop. When I approached my turning intersection and applied the brakes, the right tire lifted over the curb, and took my vehicle into the path of the southbound ongoing traffic. I then turned my wheel to the right to avoid running into the traffic, and the vechicle went over the grassie medium. I then applied my brakes again, but the vehicle still wouldn't disengage. At that time I realized that the vehicle wasn't going to stop. I then released my seat belt, pushed the door open, and then pushed myself outward of the vehicle. …
Dt: the consumer purchased a Chevrolet Blazer new on 01/28/98 from masse Chevrolet of east providence, rhode island. The consumer always maintained this vehicle at the proper service intervals. Has all the records. On September 14, 2005 the brakes failed. It happened when turning into driveway and going back down the driveway toward the road. Was able to stop the vehicle by running into the trees alongside driveway. The vehicle was then towed to a garage, where the consumer was trying to find out what happened so suddenly. The brakes have been repaired before. All GM trucks from 1999 up have been recalled because of brake problems. The consumer did not think there was any difference between a 1999 model and a 1998 model. . It was definitely a life threatening situation, which was why he was trying to contact the national safety council. …
While driving on wet pavement at 35-40 MPH, vehicle accelerated by itself, brakes applied, would not disengage, cruise control went on by itself. Driver turned it off and applied brakes again, foot applied to gas, nothing happened, drove for one mile trying to slow down, approached turn lane with foot on brake, turned wheel, vehicle still would not disengage. When approaching left turn lane, tried to apply brakes more firmly. The right passenger tire lifted up over the curb and took vehicle into southbound traffic. Upon approaching a 4-lane highway, turned wheel to the right, and vehicle went ove rgrassie medium. Driver applied brakes again, but vehicle still wouldn't stop. Drive rpushe ddoor open, released seat belt and pushed herself out of the vehicle. Vehicle was totalled. Driver sustaine dinjuries.
First the ABS warning light started illuminating every so often starting in 2002, now the wipers have become very erratic. It has now gotten so bad that it has become a safety hazard. It does not matter what setting ( delay, slow or fast) the wipers are set at they react on their own. Sometimes they stop completely which causes a severe safety hazard when driving in the rain. You could have the setting on slow delay and they will begin going very fast or medium speed, then change again for no reason. They also continue to run when the switch is turned completely off. This started about two months ago and has increased in intensity with each use due to rain. I understand previous year models were recalled for a very similar problem and I am wondering if this years model has been added to the recall list?
We have had numerous problems with the antilocking brake system. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership for brake repairs several times. The ABS light has burned for at least half of the time that we have owned the vehicle. The first time we were told that the alternator was causing the ABS light to stay on. Two weeks before the accident the dealership replaced the brake module. The accident was caused when the brakes locked up and sent the vehicle into a spin in the middle lane of a three lane highway. The accident occurred at 11:30 am on a dry highway, and luckily no other vehicles were close. We contacted Chevrolet who sent an engineer to inspect the vehicle. He said nothing was wrong with the brake system.
My wife was in danger driving the truck when she brought it to another route (another shop), which was hutchens Chevrolet. They told my wife and gave her the paper work stating that, the truck was unsafe and she could have been in danger if continued driving it. When he was told of the brake problems, (the car dealership owner) he instructed my wife to take it to his own auto repair shop, when my wife got the truck back, it was in the same state not everything was fixed. The work was completed at hutchens. The work had to have cost about $378.00. And there are more troubles with the truck, I see signs of rust and corrosion, there are vibrations when the vehicle is in excess of 60 miles.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. While depressing the brake pedal from approximately 2-5 MPH, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. An independent mechanic replaced the brake system, but the failure still remained. In addition, the wiper blades wiring mechanism did not work effectively. The contact was driving in rainy weather conditions and the wipers would not operate. She had the wiring spliced and was able to use the wipers. The failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 7/3/08 updated 07/03/08
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
Brake complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, 10% of the model year's 716 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Blazer brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-218 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Nov 24, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Blazer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to brakes 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.