Faults:

I have had most of the problems mentioned and then some. The vehicle is beautiful, but is a maintenance pig. I do my own work, and it is just taking too much of my time. I found fixes for some like the windshield wiper, recline handles, etc.. but I think it is time to cut my losses. I was wondering if anybody had a retrofit for the vehicle. Structure wise, it is a tough vehicle, but it has lots of gremlins. I wish I could keep it, but it is driving me to the poor house.

Faults:

First I want to address a couple of issues I read about in other 1998 Blazer reviews. First, windshield wipers intermittent, or not working when it rains, can be caused by the solder joints cracking on the circuit board inside the wiper motor assembly. A few minutes with a soldering iron can fix this. The main wiring connector attaches to the plug on the circuit board and these are the ones that come loose. That may be why wiggling the wiring makes it work for a while. This is also true with several other GM models. I have done this twice on this Blazer.

Second, the manual seat recliner handles break and there is an after market handle that you buy to fix this. Performed this repair on the passenger side only, driver's is electric.

The expensive fuel pump repair is especially annoying. There is no access to the top of the fuel tank and it must be removed in order to change. Lots of labor and an expensive part.

Two fuel pumps, water pump, oil lines, transmission oil lines, front and rear brake rotors, air conditioning, side mirror adjustment switch.

Now the heater/air conditioning alternates from heat to cold, like the heater control is bad.

General Comments:

Ride and comfort: the ride is like a small truck, rough with a lot of shaking front to back, probably caused by the short wheelbase.

Very small area for drivers feet, my legs cramp up after 150 miles or so.

Good points: with snow tires, this vehicle has gotten us through several bad winters and never got stuck.

Four wheel drive has worked fine.

Faults:

The right rear window switch didn't work.

Transfer case bearing started to make noise after acceleration.

Right side headlight, blinker and grille destroyed by two deer in a month.

Replaced the stock AM/FM cd player with a JVC cd player with an amp and subs.

Replaced the front brake pads.

Replaced rear window wiper motor.

General Comments:

It was my all time favorite vehicle, I really regret getting rid of it. I hauled vehicles with it and still got 14mpg! I usually got 18-21 without hauling anything. I had it customized to my likings with a mesh grille my friend and I made and installed. I yanked the stock cd player and through in a JVC cd player and an amp and subs to kick it up a bit.

I bought new tires for it a few months after buying it. I replaced the brake pads and changed the oil and stuff like that, kept it in keen running condition, it was my pride and joy. I also had to replace the rear wiper motor, I guess the wet snow of MN was too much for that little thing. I loved this truck and highly recommend getting one, they are the perfect vehicle in my eye. Thanks for reading.

Faults:

Seat handles, fuel pump, ball joints, windshield wipers, door speakers, mirrors.

General Comments:

The problem, as I see, with this 1998 Chevy Blazer LS truck is not how you baby the truck, care for it, or drive it. The problem started earlier than that.

It is how it was designed, assembled, and the quality of the components that make up this truck.

If you start with crap you will probably watch crap unfold. If I were to drive it like I would drive a golf cart then likely, of course, it will have less stress on the cheap quality components and shoddy assemble-age.

I could then perceive the Blazer as reliable - which it is not. But, in summary, I did not purchase a truck to use it like a golf cart.