1997 Chevrolet Blazer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 110about this part
- Share
- 14%of 768 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 110 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, 14% of the 768 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission dip stick and tube are full of rust . This is a defect that will cause the transmission to fail and general motors should be correcting this problem. I only have 37000 miles on this vehicle and I do not want to replace the transmission at my cost because GM has made a mistake!”
NHTSA complaint #10011044, filed 2003-03, 37,700 miles“I bought my rig under a year ago and have been haveing problems with the trasmission,I have run out of gas many times because it doesn't register,my air conditioner doesn't work right,my brakes have locked up a few times and when I turn a corner it sounds like something crahing under my rig.I have had nothing done yet because it is going to cost me a whole lot to have all this replaced.my stereo went dead about a week after I got it also.I thought I was buying a good rig but,now I am finding out different and I paid good money for and am still paying for it.I have replaced the heater core it…”
NHTSA complaint #10118421, filed 2005-04, 107,000 miles“Had to replace transmission at 140,000 miles. Servicing per the owner's manual was always done, including dealers recommendations for transmission flush. Transmission suddenly failed to shift to 1st gear, then failed to shift to reverse shortly after that. 3rd party repair shop stated transmission was beyond economical repair, so replaced with 3rd party transmission to the tune of $2800.”
NHTSA complaint #10195110, filed 2007-07, 140,000 miles“Transmission has shifted hard from 1st to 2nd since I bought the vehicle used 10/7/03 also get intermittent check engine light used car dealer coded out to trans component slippage but didn't know what to do on 01/16/04 was on extended trip and transmission failed completely - rpms started to climb so pulled over to shoulder of road - kept slipping gears - finally lost all forward motion. …”
NHTSA complaint #10054832, filed 2004-01, 102,465 miles“97 Blazer with original low miles had engine stop both on and off the highway several times but it would start back up. In jan while driving down the highway the service engine light came on and rpms went up. We pulled off and found the transmission was stuck in 3'rd gear. Also key would not release to remove. Errors came up p1860 p0785 and p740 that refer to transmission. The problem was not transmission but ignition switch contact block commonly called the ignition switch, it is the contact section and not the key or lock cylinder. This ignition switch had already been replaced once. …”
NHTSA complaint #10702398, filed 2015-03, 25,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10013572Apr 21, 20054wd models with noise, vibration on dry pavement.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 15% |
| 2023 | 10 | 23% |
| 2022 | 12 | 22% |
| 2021 | 19 | 13% |
| 2020 | 75 | 33% |
| 2019 | 64 | 34% |
| 2004 | 4 | 8% |
| 2003 | 12 | 16% |
| 2002 | 33 | 13% |
| 2001 | 31 | 10% |
| 2000 | 84 | 14% |
| 1999 | 54 | 12% |
| 1998 | 74 | 10% |
| 1997 | 110 | 14% |
| 1996 | 96 | 8% |
| 1995 | 68 | 6% |
| 1994 | 12 | 2% |
| 1993 | 19 | 4% |
| 1992 | 3 | 1% |
| 1991 | 8 | 4% |
| 1990 | 3 | 9% |
| 1989 | 1 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 4 | 13% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 4 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
156 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
129 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 complaintsSteering
24 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 31, 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