Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
I am shocked to find out that there are so many other people having problems with the ABS brakes and the front end ball joints. I am actually afraid to drive my Blazer after reading about the problems. I live in a small town in the mountains and have to drive mountain roads and along a river to get to a bigger city. I average about once a month this trip and if I my Blazer was to have a wheel fall off because of a bad ball joint system I and maybe others would be dead or seriously hurt. I have over the years replaced my ball joints several times as they keep going bad, much more than just normal wear it appears. I also have for the last 6 months or so have had the ABS light come on and the ABS brakes come into play when slowing down or coming to a stop on dry roads. There are times the light is on when I first start my Blazer and haven't even moved yet. …
Was driving about 25 miles per hour on a local street with a 86 year old passgner and chrildren in the car, when the passenger side fell to the ground,unaware of what caused this I had assumed I had a flat tire and tried to move out of the way of traffic unsucessfully I remain in the middle of a busy street causing a major back up. Until an hour later when a tow truck came to tow me to a local shop. And the sfpd had to re-route traffic. Once at the shop I was told my ball joints snapped and broke causing the vechicle to drop as it did. After inspection both sides I was then told the driver side was also about to fall off. A few months before I noticed my car leaning heavly to the right side then a clicking noise started when I would turn but it stopped so I thought nothing more of it and bout 6 month later this happend.
Dt: the contact complained about multiple problems. While driving at 40 MPH on a damp road the driver's side wheel came off. He was able to steer the vehicle safely to the curb. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who replaced the upper ball joint on the driver's side and realigned the wheels. Later, he heard a grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The mechanic determined that the other ball joints needed to be replaced. However, they have not been replaced. Also, the windshield fogged up. The mechanic stated the heater core broke and the coolant was leaking. The heater core was replaced. N addition, the vehicle had problems starting. The mechanic had to replace the fuel pump and fuel injector. The starting problem has not returned.
While driving (at about 5 MPH) the driver's side front lower ball joint failed. The car dropped to that side, and steering control was lost. Luckily this happened as I was slowing to a stop before entering a highway. It appeared as though the wheel had been separated from the front suspension. After towing to a mechanic, I found that it was the lower ball joint that had failed, and the brake line had also been severed. As a result the shocks on that side were bent out of shape, and the shocks on the other side were stretched out (as it was pulled by the weight of the dropped side). Had I been on the highway or traveling at a higher speed, I have no doubt that a serious accident would have occurred with possible injury or death.
I was driving highway speed when I heard a loud grinding noise in front end then a severe pull to my left which veered me off the road , luckily there was a grassy knoll to my left and not a guard rail. When I exited I found my front left wheel off . The shop said my wheel fell off due to a bad bearing. I found this odd due to my replacing both bearings a year before. Apparently its a common problem. Veh. Has 147K at this incident and only 126K when replaced parts the first time. In addition had 4x4 actuator replaced, fuel pump, oil cooler lines replaced, and pitman arm...all apparently common and frequent repairs with this vehicle !!
I turned the corner at an intersection and began accelerating. It felt like the vehicle had a flat tire so I pulled into a parking lot. Just as I stopped, the wheel fell under the vehicle. The ball joints broke on the front right wheel causing the whell to fall off the vehicle. There were no injuries due to how slow I was driving at the time. There was almost no warning before the wheel fell off. The dealer replaced the ball joints, bent control arm, broken tie rod, bent brake hose, axle, and sway bar links. There are a number of recalls for other Chevy vehicles related to manufacturing issues with ball joints.
Dt: the contact complained about multiple problems with this vehicle. The 4-wheel drive actuation motor was replaced. The heater core became blocked and was flushed by the dealer. The steering box and pitman arm were replaced. Also, the front wheel bearings were replaced. The headlights became dim. The rear windshield wiper stopped working. The dealer performed numerous repairs, and could not offer an explanation as to why these problems occurred at such low mileage. The vehicle is remained at the dealer awaiting repairs on the rear windshield wiper. Also, replaced loose front hubs.
I have a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer that is very well maintained. I had to replace both front end wheel hub bearings before it had 60,000 miles on it. There must be defective bearings being put in these vehicles. There is no way a wheel bearing should wear out before 60,000 miles. I wrote to Chevrolet corporate offices & they told me they were sorry but didn't offer any compensation. I am filing this report to help others in the future. It is quite expensive to replace wheel bearings and if enough people complain maybe Chevrolet will take some responsibility for installing defective parts.
Vehicle making a loud snapping noise when turning left. Brought to a local garage, was told that both of front wheels were about to "fall off," and it would be very dangerous to drive vehicle. The mechanic actually explained my problem to me, showing me the inch of play that he could shake my wheels. He then went on to tell me that he fixes this problem in this make of vehicle about once a week. My Blazer has 55,000 miles, and has been maintained very well. I am terrified to think about what could have happened, as well as disappointed and upset.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Front control arm ball joints
See attached page.
Suspension complaints in other Blazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer, 17% of the model year's 436 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Blazer suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
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.