1997 Chevrolet Blazer LS from North America - Comments

I have replaced the ball joints twice in 90,000 miles.

I have had to do a complete cooling system; radiator, hoses, water pump, heater core, multiple flushes ($2000.00)

I had to replace the suspension at 60,000 miles.

Front diff. for the 4 wheel drive system just went to hell.

Idler arms for the steering just got replaced.

Oil cooler lines went to heck for the second time.

Tranny is now kicking real hard and I would imagine that will be junk before I hit 100,000 miles.

Windshield wiper motor went for the second time. But now I see GM put out a recall for this. Thank you GM, you are sooo good to your customers. (yea right)

I have owned 10 cars and or trucks since I have started driving and this is by far the worst of them all. In 50,000 miles I have stuck an extra $5,700 in misc. repairs and I have not yet touched the motor or Transmission which I am sure will soon fail.

I have talked with GM and they tell me that the problems I have with my Blazer are all new to them and that this is so "unusual".

I am in a bind because I, like many others, are upside down in this Blazer because the value has severely dropped. I would be lucky to get $3,000 for this garbage. I have friends who are in worse shape with their Jimmy's and Bravada's.

I also own a 2000 GMC Sonoma and I am scared sick that it will give me the same problems.

The sad part is that most of the problems I have had, GM has issued GM service bulletins on. This means that they are aware of continuing problems, but they will not recall because it is not a DOT safety issue. Is that Sick or what. GM, what happened to "Customer Service"? If you need help in this field, call me.

I hate to say this, and I'm not out to make you feel worse - but your truck is the same year as my '97 Isuzu V6 Rodeo. I remember in early 1998 when I was out looking for a new vehicle, I test drove all makes/models of the mid-size SUV class and did tons of research on the previous years of reliability. Also compared that to the prices versus options, etc.

Jeep Cherokee felt too boxie, way too pricey for each option; Nissan Pathfinder just didn't quite hit my taste; Ford has always been my enemy, way too pricey as well; and the Chevy blazer just was so much smaller in overall size compared to the first-decade Rodeo's. And so I went with a fully loaded Isuzu, as Dad, though a Chevy man in regards to only their Full size trucks, highly believes in imports versus domestic.

I've never looked back, I have over 108K on my Rodeo now and I have invested a good 3K in general maintenance, including new shocks, tires, battery, alternator and general tranny, radiator flushes, tune-ups, etc. But nothing major and she's going strong.

Some advise for the future - though I'll always love the full-size 3/4 Chevy trucks, and our first went to 350K before we sold her - running strong with all original equipment. Stick with imports for reliability and your money's worth.

I have a 1997 GMC Jimmy with all wheel drive and also have had multiple negative experiences with the vehicle since just after the 36,000 mile warranty expired. Ball joints failed (right front first one to go). There was a warranty recall on those a couple years later. Also just out of warranty was some $1000.00 part (which I forget the name) that hooked the front drive train to the back. Transmission died and needed to be replaced at about 70,000 miles. Just about everything was leaking in the front of the vehicle (fluid wise) and when I took it to the dealer he recommended replacing oil hoses and more for about another $2500 more. Brakes have been about the only thing that seemed to fail. They were just replaced at 90,000 miles so they lasted more than I expected. Other than that wiper blade motor (recalled, but I kept the vehicle too long so not warrantied). I will definitely not buy another GM truck.

From what I have heard... There is a class-action law suit that was put together against GM because of the Chevy Blazer and all the problems people had. I think everyone should join in to give GM a kick in the butt for allowing these vehicles to destroy customers financial stability and loyalty.