2001 Chevrolet Blazer ZR2 4WD from North America - Comments

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.

I forgot to add that that fuel gage in this vehicle is more of an estimation -- at best. I'm too chicken to drive it past E, even though there's probably another 10 gallons left...

I've also had the door unhinge due to poor pin assembly/design (as many others have mentioned). If this didn't spark a safety recall, nothing will.

Also, the only rust problems I've had have been with the tire rack on the back. While it looks damn cool, it also was poorly designed/constructed. The whole system began rusting within a few years.

So...

From all the reviews, I can expect to replace 2 or more bearings, idler/pittman arm, possibly the transmission and several of the gadgets within the next year or two.

Again, I love this truck for whatever reason, but I wish I'd gone with the Nissan Exterra. Those people seem happy.

It's been what, a month or two since I posted the above? Today I'm driving around and my 4WD kicks on for no reason. I push the "2-low" button and it disengages 4WD for a bit, but automatically goes back to 4WD with a loud clunk a few blocks later. Keep in mind it's dry pavement.

I take it to the dealer and they tell me that the selector switch needs to be replaced. This is funny because when I first got this truck, sat in it and saw that cheap POS switch assembly, I said to myself, "you know, one day that is going to break." (I said that about the moon roof mechanism too, but for now that still works.)

So...

$45 to tell me what the problem was

$75 for the new switch

$45 to install it.

= $165. After spending almost $2000 one month ago on new ball joints and other "preventative" maintenance trying to keep more problems from popping up.

And we're about to give another HOW MANY billions of our tax dollars to to keep GM in business? Why?

Hey guy, I feel for you, I just got rid of my 2000 Blazer for the same reasons, MAF, idler arm, bearings, alternator, sending unit fuel pump 2x, 4wd switch, doors were OK, I'd wd40 every oil change, upper lower ball joints, wiper motor, gas 10-13 mpg anywhere. I'd baby it; synthetic oil, you name it, but mistreat all the way.

Love my Subaru Forester, and in getting rid of this got a Honda Ridgeline 08, what a nice truck. Everything that they say about a Honda is true, awesome wouldn't do it justice. Check them out, this truck won't let you down and no repair bill's, forget GM Garbage Makers.

Hope you find something reliable, we test drove the Ford F150 Crew, Toyota Tundra Crew, and the Ridgeline. This one came out over the rest if that tells you anything.

Yeah, my next vehicle is going to be a Honda, Toyota, or possibly a VW (if their maint ratings improve a bit). The next significant repair and this truck is gone to some other poor slob who likes the looks and doesn't know any better.

My Honda didn't need new ball joints till 162,500..