1999 Chevrolet Blazer LS from North America - Comments

I have a 99 blazer. I guess I have what you could call a love hate relationship with it. I have had the same problems as most others have had. However I am now at a point where I am going to tackle some of the repairs myself. I have never done any work except changing the brakes and rotors. I am going to change the front hub assemblies in the next couple of weeks. Could someone please tell me what the correct torque is. I've heard anywhere from 77bs to 175lbs. Also if you have any good tips on doing this job I'm all ears. My email is cvpratt2@yahoo.com.

Thanks Carl.

Hi there... I have a 2000 Chevy Blazer and after reading the other comments I have this to say. My truck has 46K original miles on it... Yes I did say original miles. My wife and I purchased it new from our Chevy dealer, in fact it was the one right out of the showroom. It is the biggest P.O.S. I have ever seen. It has just about all of the problems that everyone has listed here. Broken seat levers, idler and pittman arms, bearings, driver side door hinges, rear brake calipers and drums (both sides), oil and trans leaks, and now a bad MAF sensor.

THE TRUCK HAS 46K MILES on it. If this is not the biggest, baddest, crappiest Chevy I don't know what is. I told the dealer about the problems and he said so what, the truck is 8 yrs old and stuff breaks even if you do not use it. In other words it's out of warranty, if you want it fixed pay for it. Oh he did say I could always contact Chevy about the problems. Please do yourself a favor if you are thinking of getting a Chevy... run... far far away. If you already own one of these... my condolences to you. Like a rock huh... more like a boat anchor!

I have had two of these vehicles, a 1994 Blazer that I sold with 175,000 miles, and the one I currently own, a 1998 Jimmy SLT with 140,000 miles.

The 1994 was one of the best vehicles I ever owned, needing very little other than ball joints and an alternator.

The 1998 Jimmy has needed more work, and have the typical issues with the gas gauge going out and ABS (front) sensor going bad. I live with both issues and idiot lights, filling the tank every 200 miles.

It has had lots done, I recently had the rear main seal replaced and had the intake gasket replaced - when I did that I flushed the dexcool and replaced with green antifreeze. Even though the some of the issues were stressing, it has been cheaper to own than buying a new car. The body and interior still look near new - no rust and the leather seats have held up quite well. I love having the 4X4 in the Michigan winter - especially this year. It is only worth around $3500, so I will drive it into the ground.

1999 Blazer--99,000 miles. Owned it for a year and a half now (bought it with 86,000 miles on it). The only major problem I've had is the water pump going out. Expensive, yes, but that's what water pumps do in any vehicle--they go out.

Other than that, it's a dream.

Most mechanical problems that I'm reading about here are probably caused by the way it's driven. It's an SUV, true, but it's not a demolition car. You have to take care of it, like any vehicle, and get regular maintenance. And have it tuned up to your climate.

I was going to buy a 99' Blazer in two days, it is in beautiful shape, I thought I was getting a good deal at $4,000 with 122,000 miles, but after hearing all the negative comments, I will stick with Toyota or Honda.

That's too bad that these Blazers are having so many problems, I've had four Honda Accords and never had to do anything to them but change the oil and brakes. I think I will stay with them, I don't want to buy a vehicle and start having to put thousands into it.

Thanks for the help guys.

Art, San Francisco California.

I have owned 2 Blazers, both a 2000, unfortunately I totaled the 1st one.. the gas gauge is a common problem, I had it happen on both of mine, and it is the resistor that goes bad (a $40 part), not the $400 to $800 dollar part that the mechanics try to sell you.

I don't care what you drive, it will cost you some money after a while. I have a 1999 Blazer and I am working on it, but at 175.000 miles, what can you expect?

Thanks for reading this, God bless the USA.

Hi - I bought a used 1999 Chevy Blazer. Had to replace the ball joints / bearings / pinion / fuel pump / intake manifold / transmission - - Now in 2009 it has 90,000 miles on it. Hopefully it will hold together until I get to 130,000 miles. The car looks wonderful & runs well - until something goes wrong.

I went out to price a Hyundai - some crap salesmen give.

I appreciate your comments here - because it gives me hope that my 1999 Blazer might last to 130,000 miles, until I can find a steady job.

Thanks - Kandi.

I have a 99 Chevy Blazer 2d 4wd 122,000 miles. I have to replace upper and lower ball joints both sides, pittman arm, idler arm and my intake manifold needs to be sealed. I run it without; it's like riding a bicycle, no power whatsoever. But it has never stalled. It's well worth every dollar you put in it, she's built to last. Chevy like a rock.

Phillip - Ohio.

I own a 99 Chevy Blazer LS and I must say the next time I purchase a vehicle, it will most certainly not be a Chevy. It was my first purchased vehicle, so I babied it. I thought I would make my father proud, being that it was American made - big mistake. I have kept it regularly maintained, but the moment it comes out of the shop for routine maintenance, I have to take it back in within a month for serious repairs. I have lost count on the repair list, excluding normal wear and tear, this vehicle has been awful. I swear it's a lemon.

The laundry lists of replacements listed on this forum all sound really familiar: especially the annoying seat handles. Design flaw, they say. When I bought this vehicle, I said I was going to drive it until it dies. But I could have a brand new, fault free vehicle for the monthly cost of repairs this Blazer is running me!

I just wanted to get this off my chest. I feel better now knowing mine ISN'T a lemon, that it isn't personal as the majority seem to have the same problems.

I have a 1999 Blazer. I've owned it for 2 years now and I've had to replace the fuel pump once already. Now I've come across another problem, when slowing down for a red light or a stop sign the truck will just shut off. I've noticed that this only occurs when the gas gage reads a little below 1/4 of a tank. Does anyone know what may cause this problem?

My 2wd 99 Blazer has 135,000 miles on it, has been used on a rural mail route for the last 40k (runs 40 miles/day... 5 days/wk... 4 1/2 hrs/day... 600 stops/starts avg... transmission has not been touched.)

Some of the usual engine problems, ball joints, control arm bushings, starter, leaking oil cooler lines, air conditioning compressor failed, leaking intake manifold gasket... but nothing is perfect, just wish there was a little better attention to detail in the construction/engineering. I paid $6000 for it in 2004 with 88k on odometer... all in all, still beats payments on a new SUV.

Hey.

I bought a 99 Blazer with 110,000 miles on it. So far it has been a pretty good vehicle. My gas gauge went out of course (2 weeks after I bought it). Now it doesn't seem to be riding as smooth as when I bought it? It seems like there is a bump on my left wheel hitting the pavement when the tire rotates? And now there is a ticking sound coming from the dashboard? WHAT IS THAT TICKING SOUND??!! GRRRRR.

I am a perfectionist with all my vehicles, and I like to have them perfect. Any advice on any of the above?

Greetings researchers and other venters...

I received my 1999 Blazer from my mom - needed something to get to and from college. It has been on very long drives with my mom and even though I drive it a lot, I don't think it compares to how she drove it.

Mileage - 161K

Issues beyond regular car maintenance:

Broken seat levers

Replaced 2 times: idler and Pittman arms, ball joints, bearings, and whatever else is involved in the front steering (not axle!)

ABS (front drivers side) sensor going bad - MANY times

Timing chain - very loose (replaced)

Cover of timing chain replaced with GM made (after market made oil leak bad)

Conditioner hose blew (when mom owned it and drove it long distances in HOT weather)

Rear brake fluid hose drying up??

Digital Mileage not showing right away

Door bushings

Many gaskets replaced

Most recent issue - Alternator is going bad.

Likely more problems but I'm not 100% sure what.

I can't wait to get a new car!!!

Thanks!

~Krystal.