1998 Chevrolet Blazer Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about windshield wipers that stop without warning, work only intermittently, or keep running after the switch is turned off, usually in rain or snow. A second recurring theme is trim and seat hardware — recliner handles, turn-signal switches that keep clicking, and latches — along with cooling-system leaks and brake line corrosion. Most reports in the sample arrive between roughly 50,000 and 100,000 miles, with some failures appearing much earlier in the vehicle's life.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers quit or run intermittently

   • 241 complaints (34%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (147 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2015

   Owners describe wipers that stop mid-stroke in rain or snow, resume later on their own, or switch between intermittent and full speed without the control being touched; some report wipers that continue running after being switched off. Several say a dealer replaced the wiper motor, the pulse board, or the switch without a lasting fix, and that the problem would not repeat when the vehicle was at the shop. Many note the vehicle was not covered by wiper-motor recalls issued for other model years. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 130,000 miles, with most reports between 50,000 and 100,000 miles and many occurring during rain or snowstorms.

   What to check: Test the wipers at every speed setting, including intermittent, and watch whether they park and shut off correctly; ask whether the wiper motor, pulse board, or switch has been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At night during a pouring rainstorm my windshield wipers stopped working on a narrow two lane road. Think this won't quicken your pulse? Repair was $166.00 and my mechanic says this is a frequent repair in his shop. I see plenty of compaints for this same problem in the 1998 model. This is a real safety issue and a recall should be issued.”

   NHTSA complaint #10030468, filed 2003-07, 75,590 miles

   “Windshield wipers sometimes stop on there own. Sometimes they are on intermitent and just start working like the on the normal setting. Sometimes when I shut them off they won't stop. I have called general motors and even though there is a recall for 1997 blazers for this problem, since my Blazer is a 1998(manufacture date 10/97) they will not help me at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #10062631, filed 2004-03, 36,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signal keeps clicking or won't shut off

   • 48 complaints (7%)
   • median 67,250 mi at 6.1 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2009

   Complaints describe a clicking sound that continues after the turn signal is cancelled, or that starts at random while driving with no signal on. Some owners had the combination flasher or turn-signal switch replaced, and a few report the clicking returning or smoke appearing near the steering column stem. In some cases brake lights or hazard lamps also stopped working. Mostly reported between about 57,000 and 130,000 miles, often noticed while driving normally rather than at a specific event.

   What to check: With the engine running, switch the turn signal on and off several times and listen for clicking that continues; check that the front and rear turn signals, brake lights, and hazards all work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The turn signal on my1998 chevy Blazer won't stop clicking. I've already replaced the combination flasher/signal part that's behind the glove box with no result. Today I saw wisps of smoke coming from the steering console. I checked the fuses and they are fine. I'm afraid my car is going to catch on fire!”

   NHTSA complaint #10098228, filed 2004-11, 60,925 miles

   “The turn signal switch would not shut off and the consumer could still hear the clicking noise. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The heater was leaking, the windshield wiper were inoperative, the rear end had gone out and the 4 wheel drive was not working properly. A new switch was placed onto the transfer case and the differential assembly was removed and replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10117169, filed 2005-04, 57,000 miles
3. 3
   Seats

   Seat recliner handles break off

   • 80 complaints (11%)
   • median 56,025 mi at 5.0 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2012

   Owners report that the plastic recliner release handle on the driver or passenger seat snaps, sometimes on both seats and sometimes more than once on the same side, leaving the seatback stuck in an upright position. Some mention a service bulletin covering the handle, and several had the part replaced under warranty before it broke again. Reported from roughly 35,000 to 70,000 miles, and in some cases on a replacement handle within a short time.

   What to check: Operate the recline handle on both front seats and confirm the seatback moves and locks in position; ask whether either handle has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The driver lifted the handle to recline the passenger side seat and the handle broke, without using excessive force. A week later the driver side handle broke also. There is a tis bulletin (220801) for this problem. Ts the driverside handle was replaced prior to purchase and broke after only 34,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10001629, filed 2002-12, 85,000 miles

   “The handle controlling the recline function on both driver and passenger seats has broken. The driver side was replaced once while under warranty, both seats are now in an upright position. Around april, 2003, the hood latch broke and it takes forever to maneuver to get the hood up to check the oil.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032527, filed 2003-08, 50,000 miles

Buying note. Given the age of this model year, the wiper system and brake lines are the things worth checking before purchase, since both affect visibility and stopping and both were reported repeatedly. Service records showing recent wiper-motor or brake-line work, plus a test of the wipers in every mode, are more useful than the odometer alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.