Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Blazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The ABS systemm is not working and the is a short in the front end,..causing the battery to die. Amazingly after the battery was removed from the vehicle the lights on the bumper that are supposed to light up the liceness plate was still on. Long with other lights under the hood. How is this possible.,,unless there is an alternate power source that I was never made aware of. The is police documitaton on this.
1999 Chevrolet Blazer with a v6 engine had a premature engine failure at 87K miles. A hair line crack was discovered in a cylinder using a dye test. The machinist who inspected the engine believes it was created as the result of the corrosive action of coolant used by GM. Chevrolet showed no interest in inspecting the engine. Without the aforementioned, I investigated myself, and can only conclude that a head bolt was not properly sealed during manufacturing, allowing coolant to penetrate the bolt area around the rear cylinder in question. This condition created a weakening of the cylinder wall over time causing the catastrophic failure. I've been communicating with Chevrolet for over two years with no success.
After having driven the vehicle for about 2 hours on interstate roads (constantly monitoring the coolant gauge - standard for any trip I take). I stopped to go to the rest room and when I returned and started the vehicle it made a horrible loud metal banging noise. I moved the vehicle to that if it needed to be towed it would be ready. I checked the coolant gauge and it was at the very end of the hot zone, checked the coolant and found almost no coolant in the reservoir. I had to put water in to get it home (another 3 hours on the road). At no time during that trip did the coolant gauge indicate that the vehicle was overheating. I have changed the oil per the recommendation in the owners manual and have done most of the other recommendations and have had no other major issues with the vehicle. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer. While depressing the brake pedal at 5 MPH, the vehicle surged forward without warning. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The contact stated that she experienced the same failure immediately after leaving the mechanic. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic who stated that the multi-port fuel injection system needed to be replaced. He replaced the part, but the failure continued. The mechanic stated that the vehicle May need to have its spark plugs replaced or cleaned. The spark plugs have not been replaced. Approximately three days later, the vehicle failed to start. The mechanic stated that the multi-port fuel injection was defective and replaced the unit, but the failure continued. The vehicle surged forward and became increasingly worse. The current mileage is 150,000 and failure mileage was 130,000.
In 2003, the engine light came on, the air pump, breather, hose and fuse kit needed to be replaced, I paid out of my own pocket for this repair. In 2004, the service engine light came on, the same items needed to replaced and again the dealership wanted me to pay over $600 for service when last year it was over $300. I have replaced both upper and lower ball joints because of cracking noise, everytime I turned left. I replaced the hubs, because a cracking noise. Chevrolet and the dealership were no help, other than they agreed to pay half for air pump repair. Both didn't care for my situation. I was told by the representative from Chevrolet that my next purchase on a GM product get the extended warranty, because GM makes "junk", so protect yourself! Nice attitude!
I discovered oil leaking from my 99 Chevy Blazer recently. I took it to my local independent mechanic and they informed me that I have two faulty oil cooling lines that must be replaced. Upon further investigation, I have discovered though several local dealerships and several internet web sites, that this is a very very common problem with 99 Chevy blazers. I contacted GM customer service but they told me there is no current recall for this defect. Since this is such a common problem and costs several hundred dollars in repair to remedy, I would like to petition this for a manufacturers recall.
Engine coolant continues to boil and overheat after having it flushed three times now. Same as 10030550.hy isn't someone doing something? We just want our car fixed . See: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/5948626.htm http://www.nbc4.tv/newslinks/2369813/detail.html http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/dexcool-macs2001.htm http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/news/7oys/072503_7oys_dexcool.html http://www.geocities.com/b_gillie/dexcool_problems.html http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/gm_dexcool.html http://forums.vmag.com/suvsuburban0402/messages/1665.html.
Lower ball joints wear out prematurely. The consumer stated the vehicle was on its fifth set of lower ball joints and it sixth idler arm. The cruise control was inoperative, the grill guard was loose, the rear differential leaked, the door latch was inoperative, the sending unit was replaced, the battery was replaced, the door was readjusted due to a vibration, the left front hub assembly was replaced, the exhaust made a noise, the tensioner and serpentine belt was replaced, the front axle seal leaked and the intake gasket leaked.
After noticing that I was loosing anifreeze in my vehicle, I recently had to replace the intake gaskets in my 1999 Chevy Blazer. It has just over 40,000 miles. After doing research, I've found out that this is a commom problem w/ the GM vehicles and that there are thousands of people who have had to spend hundreds of dollars in repairs to have this fixed. It conveniently happens just after the warrenty period has expired. This is clearly unfair to the consumer and I would like to know why GM has not been forced to correct this problem.
During maintenance, owner noticed coolant getting dirty. Had it flushed four times. Heater quit working after first flush. Brownish-gray sludge was blocking the heater core. Mechanic stated it was due to a small leak in the intake manifold gasket causing small amounts of dirty air and oil to mix with coolant. Since having gasket replaced, coolant has not gotten dirty again. Vortec engines 1999-2003 were prone to this gasket failure. Dexcool doesn't mix well with dirt or oil.
Engine complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer, 15% of the model year's 436 complaints. The component named most often is engine (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Blazer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer. 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 1999 Chevrolet Blazer engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.