Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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).
The handle controlling the recline function on both driver and passenger seats has broken. The driver side was replaced once while under warranty, both seats are now in an upright position. Around April, 2003, the hood latch broke and it takes forever to maneuver to get the hood up to check the oil.
My power seat shorted out while I was driving and set my shorts on fire, vehical completly burned to the ground despite three fire trucks showing up in about 5 min. , reported to GM , but the said since vehical was destroyed they are not to blame.
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.
Dt: consumer states that the levers on the front two seats broke. This has been happening since 2001. The owner contacted the dealer and the manufacturer. The manufacturer told the owner to keep replacing the levers with the same identical part with what they provided. Afterwards, the dealership replaced the levers. They kept breaking. Owner decided to go to an independent repair shop were the levers were made out of metal and were lasting . They have not broken since the owner changed the levers to metal. Currently, the owner was going to have to replace the lever on the other seat which would cost $113.52. The owner stated that there should be a recall, that they replace the lever with real metal instead of flimsy metal, and the manufacturers should reimburse the consumer.
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?
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.
I recently had to replace the ball joints and idler arm on my 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. I was advised by the dealership that this is a constant problem. I do not understand that if the manufacturer knows that there is a problem with the steering components becoming defective, then why don't they solve the problem. This is the third set of balljoints that have needed to be instaledl on the vehicle. The first set along with the pitman arm went defective at 29,000 miles and the dealership replaced them under the manufactures warranty.
At the time of purchase the dealer could not get both sides of the back seats to lay flat only the right side. Another complaint is I took my vehicle to the shop because it sounded like the right front tire was warped and when the mechanic did the diagnosis of the front the hub assembly had to be replaced. I was wondering if any complaints have been made or is there pending recalls for these.
The handle used to recline the front seats have both broken off. The passenger one broke off first and "fortunately" it was still under warranty. When I was at the dealership, I noticed there were four other Chevy blazers in the same day with the same problem. Several months later the driver's side handle broke off. It is not under warranty and the dealer refuses to fix this problem. Ts
The driver lifted the handle to recline the passenger side seat and the handle broke, without using excessive force. A week later the driver side handle broke also. There is a tis bulletin (220801) for this problem. Ts the driverside handle was replaced prior to purchase and broke after only 34,000 miles.
Seat complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the seats of the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, 12% of the model year's 716 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › recliner (54 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Blazer seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats 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 seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to seats 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.