1997 Chevrolet Blazer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 3%of 768 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,609miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, 3% of the 768 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,609 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I took my 1997 Chevrolet Blazer in to my mechanic to have all tires replaced. I was called about an hour later to be informed by him that both lower ball joints were bad, also the idler arm needed replaced. I was informed that there was a re-call some time ago that the manufacturer would replace at no cost to the consumer. After calling general motors, I was informed that the recall did not include the VIN # for this recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10042961, filed 2003-10, 89,218 miles“My 1997 Blazer dies when I am driving it. I can drive it for 2 weeks with no problems and then it will die several times in one day. It doesn't matter how fast I am going...I can be going 50 MPH or coming to a stop when it dies. The steering and brakes go out and I'm afraid I am going to have an accident. I took it to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong with it and of course it didn't cut off when the mechanic drove it. I have also had to replace the alternator, battery, thermostat, and water pump within the last 6 months.”
NHTSA complaint #10054924, filed 2004-01, 70,000 miles“The windshield wipers came loose twice going down the highway. The front rotors had to be repaired and brake pads replaced. This problem caused severe steering difficulty. ( the mechanic told me this is a common problem in all blazers and he'll see me again in about 15-25k miles)tires had to be replaced early because they wear fast on the front. Replaced ball joint recently. Vehicle makes excessive noises in front end( including engine compartment) for age. …”
NHTSA complaint #718228, filed 2000-02“The front steering mechanism on my Blazer has been replaced twice, and each time if I had not been keeping an eye on it it couls have caused a crash. In any event it was not safe to drive either time. This should be looked into because there are thousands of these vehicles on the road and amny people who are totally unware that tis could be a problem . I have checked several others setting in car lots for sale and there is excessive play in the front ends of all of them so this problem is not just my problem.”
NHTSA complaint #745596, filed 2001-05“My '1997 Chevrolet Blazer lost its control after failing its right front upper ball joint of knuckle assembly. Right front tire was off the ground and the rh frt knuckle scrubbed the inside of tire rim. The Chevrolet dealer inform me to replace the upper ball joint as a recall item. And they charge me for all the other damaged parts. Second problem: the gear shifting lever did not go to the right position on the prindle during my driving. I asked the chevy dealer to fix it. They open the instrument panel and they told me they fixed it. …”
NHTSA complaint #761071, filed 2002-04Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 6 | 14% |
| 2022 | 8 | 15% |
| 2021 | 15 | 11% |
| 2020 | 43 | 19% |
| 2019 | 28 | 15% |
| 2008 | 1 | 20% |
| 2004 | 4 | 8% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 14 | 6% |
| 2001 | 12 | 4% |
| 2000 | 23 | 4% |
| 1999 | 18 | 4% |
| 1998 | 29 | 4% |
| 1997 | 24 | 3% |
| 1996 | 28 | 2% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 6 | 1% |
| 1993 | 3 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 1% |
| 1991 | 5 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 8% |
| 1988 | 4 | 10% |
| 1987 | 6 | 20% |
| 1986 | 2 | 11% |
| 1985 | 5 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
156 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
129 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
110 complaintsSuspension
105 complaintsEngine cooling
93 complaintsElectrical system
89 complaintsFuel system
84 complaintsVehicle speed control
47 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsSeat belts
26 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology