Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | 47,000 miles |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% | 1,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 12% | 27,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2002 | 16 | 7% | 48,000 miles |
| 2001 | 40 | 12% | 56,000 miles |
| 2000 | 100 | 17% | 47,000 miles |
| 1999 | 72 | 17% | 64,000 miles |
| 1998 | 60 | 8% | 63,000 miles |
| 1997 | 105 | 14% | 82,000 miles |
| 1996 | 149 | 13% | 74,000 miles |
| 1995 | 35 | 3% | 96,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the ambient air temperature was stuck on negative forty. The contact replaced the sensor. The vehicle went into ICE/SNOW Mode on several occasions and was not driving as designed. The air conditioner was blowing out hot air. Additionally, the vehicle was pulling to the right while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who scanned the vehicle and determined that the sensor was operating as designed. The mechanic informed the contact that there was a loss of communication. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall coverage on the vehicle. …
Driving on straight road going speed limit. Heard a pop behind me like a tire pop. Car fish tailed uncontrollably and ended up crashing into a Ranch Fence on the right side of the road. 2 of my kids and myself had injuries. When we got off the vehicle witnesses and I saw A rear link broken which keeps the tires straight.
1) Part that failed per General Motors Chevrolet dealer was the Thermostat along with Coolant Sensor. 2) I was getting warning notices on dash board screen stating (Reduced steering assist) I was also getting a ESC warning 3) Problem has been repaired at GM dealer 4) Parts were replaced by GM dealer/service center 5) ESC warning light that came on for a short time after motor stopped for auto stop / start and then restarted. If auto stop / start was turned off ESC warning did not come on. Reduced steering assist warning would come on but then go off. Finally the service engine light came on and stayed on. 6) GM Service stated Code for engine light was P01F0. Autozone read a P0128 code. 7) From investigating online this seems to be a very common problem with the 2019 and 2020 Chevrolet Blazer with the 6 cylinder engine. …
Very bad clunnk on driver side when hitting any bump on the road and it's loud.dealer ship sold me the car like that . Electrical issue gauge cluster radio cluster turn signals your first camera anything that works off the instrument cluster of the radio TV screen goes off while I'm driving comes back on hit a bump it comes back on no headlights driving at night time. The dealership sold me the car like this.
Car started making a rattling noise when I turned to the right shortly after having a spring replaced in drivers side front tire. Within a week the rattling progressed to a grinding. Dealership refused to look at it, knowing I was about to go on a long trip. I left for my trip (9 hour drive) after about 5 hours, this grinding noise was constant, then ABS light came on, started messing with my steering, then, while trying to get to a dealership in the closest city ( still an hour away from my destination) tire broke off at the bearings while driving down a major 4 lane highway. Thank goodness the other cars were able to miss me, avoiding a major accident. Although I was told you don't have a lawsuit unless there's an injury, so I don't know if it was good or not!!!!! The transmission would slip when shifting from first to second gear. Updated
2004 Chevrolet Blazer. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle ignition switch problems. The consumer stated the ignition was fixed 3 different times. The vehicle had to be towed, because it would not start, due to the faulty ignition cylinder would not turn. In November 2013, the vehicle would not go into neutral or park and the vehicle could not be turned off. Per the mechanic, the ignition lock cylinder came apart, again and it had to be replaced. The mechanic stated the problem was due to a heavy key chain. The consumer also stated there was a problem with the two wheel thrust alignment, in which the vehicle had to be serviced twice within 7 months. The consumer no longer owns the vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer. Everytime the contact opens the door of the vehicle, the interior lights consistently flicker on and off, especially in cold weather. As a consequence, the battery and alternator continue to fail and need replacing. The dealer stated that the failures were a normal characteristic of the vehicle and no remedy was available. Secondly, he noticed that the fuel gauges were inoperative. When the fuel gauge dial indicates that the fuel level is at half a tank, the fuel warning light illuminates. Thirdly, the contact had to replace the lower ball joints twice because they continued to fail. Lastly, while idling at a stop light, the engine abnormally hesitates, which causes the steering column to vibrate. He took the vehicle back to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure or remedy the failures. The manufacturer was unable to assist. …
Crash- I was doing 25 MPH when after hitting a deer swerved hit my front end on the corner of a hill and my vehicle went on to its side. There was hardly any damage done to the front end because I didn't hit very hard ,but because of the side damage the vehicle was 500 dollars from being totaled. 2003 Chevy Blazer.
Related recalls (3)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the…
Remedy: Dealers will replace both upper ball joints. Owner notification began September 4, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicle equipped with 4-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. One or both of the attaching nuts for the right-hand lower control arm are under torqued. This can allow the attachment bolt to loosen and subsequent break resulting in separation of the lower control arm from the frame.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and retighten the right-hand lower control arm nuts to the proper torque specification.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
The upper ball joint nuts were under-torqued resulting in improper seating in the steering knuckle.
Remedy: Dealers will retorque the upper ball joint nut on both sides of the vehicle to the correct torque values.
NHTSA investigations
Upper and lower control arm ball joint
There is no summary currently available
Front control arm ball joints
See attached page.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Blazer years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (149), 1997 (105), 2000 (100), 1999 (72) and 1998 (60) model years. Suspension complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Blazer suspension problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 01V-200 (upper ball joint, Jun 28, 2001); 98V-053 (lower arm, Mar 9, 1998); 95V-080 (upper ball joint, Apr 24, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Blazer suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › control arm › upper ball joint (129 mentions), followed by the front › control arm › lower ball joint (117).
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.