1999 Chevrolet Blazer Reviews - Page 6 of 22

My alternator, (common problem with any car), went at 75,000 miles.

The Blazer has been a wonderful addition to our family, and has benefited many of my relatives and friends. It was in immaculate condition when I got it, and until tonight when a deer ran out in front of me, it was still as perfect. No major repairs other than what normally wears out on ANY vehicle. Low maintenance and American, which is important to me and to the economy of our country.

I got a good deal on this car when I bought it. Since then:

Wheel bearings x4

Rear latch x1

Brakes x2

Ball joints x2

Pitman arm x3

Gas gauge dances

4WD worked for a few months and now just blinks at me.

Big, gas guzzler, clunky, noisy, creaky.

I currently own a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer and a 2007 Jeep. I have had nothing but problems with the Blazer. After having the vehicle for 1 month, I had to replace the brakes, and at 90,000mi the water pump and a/c unit.

Right now there is a bad CV joint, the alternator just died in it, the rear windshield wiper motor is dead, and the seat back levers were broken when I bought it.

The worst problem has really been brakes though. It seems like each year I have owned it, I've had to replace the brakes. It's been one problem after another.

Water pump failed at 75,000.

Fuel pump failed at 100,000.

I replaced catalytic and muffler at 130,000.

Heater core may be about to go, which has outlasted my other two Chevy's. It's a Chevy... buy a heater core when you by one.

This is the second Blazer I have owned, and it may be my favorite from a reliability and comfort standpoint. I have used it from taking my girl (now wife) on dates to hauling scrap metal. It looks good going to the ballet and can climb like a billy goat in the woods.

Chevrolet finally got it right with the location of the oil filter. It is by far the easiest car I have ever seen to change the oil. Also, it does not leak oil at the rear main seal. 100 years of making cars and they finally got that right, too. The Vortec V-6 is a wonderful power plant. My first Blazer ('88 model) had a 4.3l, and, while good, it had problems with overheating and turning the oil into creosote. Eleven years of trial and error finally paid off.

I have run this vehicle absolutely through the wringer. From high revving 4wd excursions on the beach to 90 mph driving for 4 hours straight with a trailer in tow, it has done what I have asked it to do. Aside from a cigarette burn here and there, the interior looks brand new.

However, the fuel economy has finally gotten to me. My Blaze is up for sale, and I have a Samurai. I miss the power and comfort, but the old Blazer just is not economical.

Finally, until Blazers return to looking like trucks instead of mini-vans, I shall not own another late-model.

Both recliner handles broken when we bought it.

I would list mileage when faults occurred, but the digital odometer stopped reading out a few years ago. But, in extremely cold weather, it sometimes comes back on. (once or twice a year)

Replaced alternator around 145,000.

Replaced water pump.

Gas gauge only reliable from full to half tank, and with odometer not reading, I have to be conservative on my estimates of how full I think the tank is...

We have had to do a lot of brake work on this car. Luckily, we work on it ourselves, but the bills would have been impressive.

The driver door sagged and the pins had to be replaced, as the wind noise got overwhelming. Plus, it would leak when driving in the rain.

I have only had to buy three pairs of tires in 90,000 miles.

Sometimes the rear wiper blade gets stuck halfway across the window.

The button for the map holder in the ceiling was broken when we bought it.

This past winter the driver side mirror lost it's anti-frost liquid. The bad thing is that now the mirror is cloudy and hard to see out of. I could live without the auto-defrost function if the mirror was still clear...

Although some of the problems have been annoying and expensive - I still think the overall value of this car has been good. And, it has only left me on the side of the road (so to speak) two times. The first was the dealers fault, they sold it to us with a bad battery. The second was when the alternator went bad. But luckily, I regularly check my gauges and had the problem diagnosed before it left me stranded.

Also, we have never had any engine or transmission problems. And, with the exception of the gas gauge and the odometer, all of the electrical items still work (windows, locks, radio, etc.) As my husband often says, some things about the car are great, and some are quite bad. But, we also have owned an S10 pick-up, a Taurus and a Caprice. So far the Blazer has been the most reliable and least expensive to keep running. (We drive a lot of highway miles every year and need cars that can run to 200k+)