Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 driving 35 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers failed without warning. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder of the road where the windshield wipers could be activated after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. While driving 60 MPH, the windshield wiper blades stopped working without warning. The failure occurred intermittently. The windshield wipers were previously repaired by the dealer on two occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
On several occasions my windshield wipers did not work according to the setting on the windshield wiper control. Many times the wipers would go on and not shut off and many time the wipers would not go on at all. Over the span of 18,000 miles the effect have been dangerous to my personal safety. On sunny days when applying the windshield washer, the wipers would not operate. This causes me to pull over and pull on the windshield wipers until they start and then they do not turn off. On rainy days, they turn off without warning causing me to pull over on the highway and risk being hit due to a driver side vehicle exit on busy highways to manually clean the window or wait until the rain stops. I have had the control replaced at a cost of over $300 but the problem still persists. …
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. …
On my way to work on a rainy Monday morning my windshield wipers failed ..I had no choice to cut off a couple cars to get to breakdown lane..there was no accident or injuries invovled but it could have been very serious if there was due to not being able to see..I checked fuses and wiper motor connection they were fine..I called my boss told him I was going to be late ..he told me about a recall on GM products and to shake the wiper arms to get them going again..they did start working again..after checking with several GM dealships they informed me that the recall was from 1994-1997 on several makes and models but my 1998 was not included even tho there were several reports that the problem still existed in 98's and above due to they changed the part # on the wiper motor..keep in mind here they changed the # not the part..?????..how can they get away with this??? …
Windshield wipers do not operate reliably enough that they should be considered a hazard. They stop working on almost every occasion that they are required for visibility and often will not stop when turned off and additionally the speed at which they will operate is also unreliable. I have been able to get the wipers to resume operation when I have tapped on the circuit board cover but they usually stop again before I reach my destination and often before I get back out on the road. From the number of complaints that I have read of and personally heard about concerning this model year (and also other model years) with this same problem I feel that it is outrageous that a recall has not been issued to correct this problem that appears to be known by the manufacturer and even acknowledged so by the manufacturer in the previous model year. …
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.
Since we purchased the vehicle we have had problems with the windshield wipers, they go off in the middle, andat time they don't work at all in order for them to work you have to raise the hood and jiggle the circuit board before they work I have been on the road many times swered, they quit on you or they wont come on at all this is the same problem the older Chevrolet were havin I reported and it has not been recalled yet if I have an accident because on this failure I will sue GM for this proble I am a very petite lady I can not get out and reach to jigle the wire and I have my 3 children with me most of the time the GM dealer told me it was a matter of time before they recalled them I am tired of waitinf I was caught in a hell storm the other day and could not see anything. I want something done about this as soon as possible.
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?
Window & Wiper complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 252 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, 35% of the model year's 716 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (91 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Blazer window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 10 deaths to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.