2001 Chevrolet Blazer ZR2 4WD review from North America

Within first 3 years (warranty):

Steering pump failure.

Battery cracked almost in half (replaced at my expense).

Window trim fell off.

After warranty:

Driver's side auto window system about to fail.

Constant engine lights yelling about O2 sensors (even though I replaced those too). It seems to only come up when I'm forced (long story) to use premium unleaded or I add injector cleaner. I finally bought my own scanner to reset the warnings because they were too annoying.

Amazing amount of interior trim shakes/squeaks/noise.

Virtually worthless factory tires replaced (Longtrails changed to Revos)

Oil coolant hose leaks.

Currently in shop for replacement of all 4 ball joints -- at 39,000 miles of on-road use only!

I should also note that I've never gotten better than about 18MPG under any circumstance, and city driving I'm lucky to break 160 miles to the tank. I'm an aggressive driver, but this is what -- 9-10 miles per gallon? That's ridiculous.

When I graduated college I knew my 'dream truck' was either the ZR2 Blazer or Nissan Exterra. Both were $30k, but I opted for the Blazer due to the extra options I could get.

I love this truck, but it's a headache and, like many posters here, I have no intention of buying another American car again. It's no wonder our auto makers are failing. The engineering and workmanship, for whatever reason, is simply substandard compared to many foreign options.

I have BABIED this vehicle. I've maintained it over and above recommendation, and aside from quick starts and stops (aggressive driving) I've not beat the thing at all. Due to my motorcycle, the truck is garaged most of the spring/summer/fall 'cept for grocery shopping (hence the low miles on an 8 year old vehicle).

Anyway, I've put up with the issues until recently when I was told that the new clunking sound meant that I needed all 4 ball joints replaced. In fact, my mechanic said it needed the "S-10 package" as it's common knowledge that these things fail on these vehicles. He was actually surprised my other steering components were still sound, for now.

So how does a vehicle with 39k miles need new ball joints already? That's amazing to me. GM would have failed a long time ago had they fixed significant design problems like this via recall. Instead, they grabbed what they could, including now our tax dollars, simply delaying the inevitable.