1999 Chevrolet Blazer LS review from North America

My 1999 Blazer LS has been nothing, but trouble. When I picked it up new, the cassette did not work. Three return trips to the dealer, three times the dealers “expert” diagnosed the main stereo unit and ordered and replaced it. Naturally, that wasn’t it. Someone finally noticed that the plug was not installed on the cassette unit itself during vehicle assembly.

Within the first 30,000 miles, I had three front hub / bearing assemblies replaced at around $750.00 each time. Both seat back levers broke off with no effort at all.

Around 80,000 miles, the actuator that directs hot air to the floor broke internally so I had to deal with heat only at the dash vents. Then the heater core started leaking badly and I had to bypass it altogether so as to not drain all the engine coolant. It is a monster job to get at the heater core to replace it and I still haven’t yet.

Fuel pump died leaving my wife stranded far from home. Drivers door hinge is so worn that the door sags when opened. I can see it jump up when I close it.

After reading other owners problems and histories, and speaking with some independent mechanics, I feel that many of the issues with this truck are “designed in” to keep owners going back to the dealer long after the warranty is up. Most of the problems require dealer parts for repair thus keeping a constant revenue stream for GM. In short, they are designed to fail.

I am as patriotic as anyone you will find, but I will really have to think about buying another American made truck after the burn I took with this Chevy.

Many failures early on.

All problems require major, difficult labor.

Classic example to not buy American cars.