2001 Chevrolet Blazer Headlight Problems

Which parts fail

• Brake lights › Switch
  21
• Brake lights
  17
• Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
  12
• Turn signal › Switch
  6
• Hazard flashing warning lights › Unit
  3
• Hazard flashing warning lights
  2

Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  26%
• 25k–50k
  413%
• 50k–75k
  929%
• 75k–100k
  826%
• 100k–150k
  723%
• 150k+
  13%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Blazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

(1) we own a 2001 Blazer. In the past our vehicle has been rear ended twice, my wife suffered a neck injury in the 1st accident. The 2nd accident just happened about a month or so ago. (2) 2-19-2005 I was following my wife home ,after having my other vehicle serviced,and noticed the stop lamps were not working. I got on the internet ,& found there was a recall for 2000--2002 blazers with the exact same problem NHTSA recall 01V364/GM. (3) I called GM at [phone] gave them my VIN number,they said my vehicle was not part of the recall .but I should take to vehicle to a GM dealer as soon as possible ,have the multi-switch repaired,& they would reimburse me for the expenses then ,the first person I spoke with never called me back as they stated they would,I called him back twice. …

My 2001 Blazer's brake lights stopped working during a recent drive, and another driver was kind enough to point this out at a stoplight. The next day the brake lights worked again, but remained on after I shut off the engine. My mechanic was able to determine the problem was the multifunction switch on the steering column. This was a known issue (GM recall number 01073) and GM recalled a number of the same make and model of vehicles, but my Blazer's VIN was not included in the official recall.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, it was discovered that the brake lights failed to illuminate. The mechanic diagnosed that the multi-function switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01V364000 (exterior lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

I was in a drive through which looped around the building. I applied the brake to stop at the window and could feel the ABS engage and the vehicle did not want to stop. It scared me and of course I reapplied the brake quickly, to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me, and I was finally able to stop. This happened again a few weeks later at a large intersection at a red light. I was 7 months pregnant at the time and was pretty scared. I have heard several of these complaints and I know that the brakes on every year before this were recalled. I also had trouble with the brake lights and four-ways, which stopped working. I was driving and the four ways came on. I had to pull over and ended up holding the button down while I drove in order for them to stop flashing. Shortly after the turn signals stopped working. …

Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the steering column and the brake lights were inoperable. When the ignition was turned off, the engine would still operate. The contact had to make several attempts to turn off the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the failures were related to a defective multi-function switch. The vehicle was repaired. The contact experienced failures identical to the ones mentioned in a prior two part recall. The consumer assumed the recall was performed, however she learned that the recall was not performed completely. The consumer began having problems with the multi-function switch. The part that the consumer thought was replaced back in 2002 was never replaced. …

My vehicle has the exact symptoms of a know safety defect that but Chevrolet tells me that because of the VIN number of my vehicle it was not included in the recall. The recall is: NHTSA campaign id number: 08V231000 rq08001 NHTSA action number: rq08001 component: exterior lighting:brake lights:switch potential number of units affected: 5862 summary: general motors is recalling 5,862 my 2000-2002 Chevrolet Blazer, my 2000-2001 GMC jimmy, and my 2000 Oldsmobile bravada sport utility vehicles. The multifunction switch could develop an open circuit condition that results in the stop lamps and the rear hazard lamps becoming inoperative. The center high mounted stop lamp and turn signal functions are not affected. There are more vehicles out there that GM needs to identify for this recall.

I bought my Chevy Blazer in May of 2001. We had a recall for the exterior lighting: brake lights: switch. We brought it back to the dealer we bought it from and they did replace it. We are having the problems with the same part once again (no brake lights). We called the dealer and they're telling us this part is not covered. If there's still a problem with it, which I understand we're not the only ones reporting this, why wouldn't this be covered? My husband has owned his GM truck for over 10 years and has never had to replace this part. Why would a newer vehicle have to replace it twice within a 4 year period? Please advise.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while stopped at a light, another motorist informed him that the brake lights were not illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer to be repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 08V231000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch). After the repairs, the failure occurred a second time. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for diagnostics and repair. The contact was not aware of the repairs that were performed, but believed the hazard switch carrier was replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that while stopped, another vehicle almost crashed into him because the contacts brake lights were not illuminated. In addition, the hazard lights were also inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed but he was informed by an authorized dealer that his vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 08V231000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 52,000. Updated 1/19/2010 updated 03/25/11

After finding out my 2001 Chevy Blazer had no brake lights the second time since new, this first went out & was replaced by avenue Chevy, batavia on 11/7/2001 w/ only14,790 miles . And not imagining the problem could be the expensive entire turn signal unit again, I asked around, even guys at avenue Chevy, batavia, ill. I purchased a brake switch part # 15128745 on 3/4/08 for $14.09 & replaced ny unit but this did not fix the problem. I went back to avenue Chevy and on 3/11/08 they replaced part # 26100937 multifunction switch for a total of $442.79 ! ! !

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Headlight complaints in other Blazer years