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 1998 Chevrolet Blazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the vehicle, the key code failed causing the vehicle to not start. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to a dealer. The dealer refused to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 199,573.
Upon returning to my truck on tues evening 4/1/03 (after it was parked for 1 1/2 hrs) I noticed a burning smell when I opened the door. I had about a 4 mile ride home so I started the vehicle and attempted to go home. As I drove, the burning smell became horribly worse even though I could not see any smoke. I decided it was safer to drop it off at my local dealer (patterson Chevrolet in hamilton nj)since it was on the way. I disconnected the battery as a precaution. The dealer worked on the truck on 4/2. In the process of trying to locate the source of the smell, they had to reconnect the battery. This resulted in the vehicle catching on fire!! Fortunately, they had traced the source of the smell to a wire harness under the passenger seat floor board that gets connected to a power seat (which I do not have!) and they had removed the carpeting and seats before the fire started. …
Wipers don't work then work won't shut off for a long time, usually shut off during a downpour, cruise control quit working, flashers sound erratic won't shut off unless brake is pressed, passenger side seat adjustment handle broke off, I have cut my leg numerous times as well as others. Passenger side seat belt won't lock just pulls out. Drivers side seat recline broke off only used that about 5 times. Now one of the rear hatch shocks broke off the bracket that holds the shock in place cracked off, hatch door is really heavy. The right flasher flashes real fast even though it still works. I will never ever buy a Chevy Blazer again or anything even close this vehicle has been nothing but a pain in my butt for 10 years. I absolutely hate it!! It's becoming a hazard to drive because of the wipers acting sporadic all the time and with winter coming early it's scary. …
1998 Chevy s-10 Blazer with 97K miles and the windshield wipers worked intermittently. This would unfortunately occur when the windshield washer button would be pressed leaving the windshield completely covered in soapy solution and making it difficult to see. After visiting several websites the answer to our problem was on this link http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic130258.htm. The control circuit card attached to the windshield wiper motor assembly had cracked solder joints on 7 pins of the harness connector. I believe this to be a solder fatigue problem due to vibration and temperature cycling and the fact that the harness connector body is long and made of a different material than the circuit card leaving the solder joints under stress due to mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients. Consequently, after ten years the solder joints finally gave up. …
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 …
Had to replace altenator. Handle of passenger seat fell off in hand, causing riding and sitting difficult. Puts me right up to the air bag. Purchased this vehicle to take my husband to nashville, for his heart transplant visits, needed a reliable vehicle. On the last trip there, 70 MPH, in hard rain, no windshield wipers, just quit on the expressway, in heavy traffic. Gas pedal also sticks, and pushes with force, when it releases. (wonder we haven't hit someone). Being on social security,we thought paying extra, for and extended warranty would protect us. (a wasted $1800.00) the payment takes almost half our income, we can't afford to fix the manufacturers mistakes. By looking at the other complaints, we're not the first with the above problems. Very unhappy consumer. Our first payment on the Blazer was 1-14-02, we began having these problems 6 months later.
I was driving my vehicle with my children inside and webt 35 miles away from home and my vehicle security light came on and I called the dealers and they told me I would have to come to get a diagnosis for $109.00 well on my way home my vehicle shut down due to the security light in the middle of the highway and it would not turn back on so I googled a reset and reset it snd the vehicle turned on but again shut down on me on the highway. I feel its very dangerous driving and vehicle shutd down when security light is blinking and a another vehicle almost struck me when my vehicle shut down. I have read a lot of complaints about the security light that just apears for no reason and cant get rid of it. Not even a mechanic can fix it , only the dealers them self can fix it. I feel they need to fix this problem asap before someone gets hurt. Thank you
Blinker noise persists even when blinkers are turned off. Sound disapears after engaging brake pedal then persists when break pedal is released. In a heavy rain storm, had to use windshield wipers and after a few minutes of use white smoke came from the steering column. Talked to a GM mechanic who told me that this problem could cause my airbag to deploy - a real liability. Called GM to explain the problem & possible liability of airbag deployment (case #1-333564043) & was told that because of the Blazer being a 1998 there May be nonthing they can do. The same multi-function switch was made in Mexico for 1998-2001 models and if it disfunctions can cause break lights not to work as well as major electrical issues like airbag deployment or fire - wouldn't this be a recall for all models that have the part?
My wife and I have had to make major repairs to our 1998 Blazer. We had to replace the water pump ($294.55) in October 2002. Then, the transmission started slipping and got worse. We took it to aamco, where we were informed that it had to be rebuilt. This was in July of 2002. The total cost was ($2077.37). I inquired that same month at Chevrolet about recalls, and they said that there were none. Since then, we have had numerous minor problems with the lame SUV, including broken recliner handles, steering that pulls and grinds, and a malfunctioning electrical system (clicking sounds from under the glove box, three batteries replaced). I saw a report last week about the use of dexcool and its possible link to problems in GM vehicles. Are there any remedies available at this time?
Issues one would not expect from a 20K plus vehicle including windshield wiper blade failure today ("near miss" accident from heavy rain and traffic), smoke emitting from steering column, continuous intermittent repetitive sounds emitting from turn signal controller(s). Signs and symptoms have all previously been described in great detail by other owners as: an instrument cluster issue, wiper control board, various connectors and or harness, multi-function switch, smoke concerns etc. Listed from complaints from odi case numbers: 743685, 10014026, 10023129, 10030946, 10036610, 10045357, 10060630, 10066061, 10086138, 10086896, 10098912, 10103977, 10112458, 10137415, 549079, 847885, 866953, 874993.
Electrical complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 71 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, 10% of the model year's 716 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Blazer electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 9 fires and 2 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.