1999 Chevrolet Blazer Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer most often describe worn front-end parts — ball joints and wheel hub bearings — along with low-speed ABS activation that lengthens stopping distance. The sampled complaints also cover engine oil and coolant leaks, transmission failures, seat recliner hardware breaking, and a repeatedly clicking turn-signal multifunction switch. Reports span a wide mileage range, from under 30,000 miles to well past 150,000, and many describe gradual wear followed by a sudden failure rather than a single cause.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front ball joint wear and failure

   • 36 complaints (8%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 1999–2013

   Complaints describe front ball joints wearing out and, in several cases, separating so the front corner of the vehicle drops or the wheel comes loose. Owners often mention a snapping, groaning, or humming noise beforehand, and some report the opposite — no warning at all before the wheel collapsed at low speed. Repairs typically involved replacing all four ball joints, and some owners say they had already replaced them once or several times. Reported from roughly 20,000 to 150,000 miles, with many clustered between 45,000 and 95,000 miles, often at low speed in town or pulling out of a lot.

   What to check: Have a shop check all four ball joints for play and torn boots before buying, and ask for receipts showing whether they have been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car has had two recliner mechanizms break in 2 years. My security lights come on for no reason,my paint is checking and peeling.now it appears that my control arm and lower ball joint were failing at 85,000 miles. At about 70,000 miles my 4wheel drive would slip in and out at freeway speed. I have a 1999 chevy Blazer,4dr, completely maintained and driven with care.”

   NHTSA complaint #10033391, filed 2003-08, 85,000 miles

   “While driving (at about 5 MPH) the driver's side front lower ball joint failed. The car dropped to that side, and steering control was lost. Luckily this happened as I was slowing to a stop before entering a highway. It appeared as though the wheel had been separated from the front suspension. After towing to a mechanic, I found that it was the lower ball joint that had failed, and the brake line had also been severed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10153297, filed 2006-03, 90,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed, longer stopping distance

   • 49 complaints (11%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2018

   Complaints describe the antilock brakes activating during gentle stops at roughly 5 to 10 mph, with a grinding or pulsing pedal and the vehicle taking longer to stop than expected. Owners report wheel speed sensors, corrosion on the sensors, or the hydraulic brake system as what mechanics found. Some say the dealer could not reproduce or diagnose the condition, and a few mention brake line fittings leaking. Mostly reported from about 50,000 to 130,000 miles, often on wet or damp roads and at very low speed.

   What to check: Test several slow, firm stops on a quiet street and note any pedal pulsing or grinding; ask whether the ABS sensors or brake lines have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving I had a complete brake failure on my 1999 Chevrolet Blazer the brake pressure moudulation brake pipe let go without warning. The brake warning light came on as the brake pedal went to the floor. The dealer has had my car since 12/22/04 and has been unable to get the part to repair the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10105715, filed 2005-01, 85,590 miles

   “Front wheel speed sensors failing, causing activation of ABS and near accident, several times. I avoided the accident in one occasion. In another occasion I slid into the side of a garage causing minor damage to my vehicle. The incident occurred at 10 MPH that time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10134426, filed 2005-08, 96,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front wheel hub bearing noise and failure

   • 21 complaints (5%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2015

   Owners describe a humming, groaning, or moaning noise from the front end that a dealer or mechanic traced to a front wheel hub or bearing assembly. Several reports involve both sides being replaced, and some mention repeat replacement within a year or two. In a few cases the noise ended with the wheel coming loose while driving. Commonly reported between about 45,000 and 130,000 miles, with some owners reporting a second or third replacement on the same vehicle.

   What to check: Listen for front-end hum that changes with vehicle speed or steering, and ask whether either front hub assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Both front wheel bearings assemblies failed on my 1999 Blazer. The vehicle had about 68,000 miles. According to the mechanic, there is no scheduled and/or preventive maintenance for these parts. I understand that continued use of the vehicle with the bad bearings could cause a catostrophic failure. Since the problem is just noise , and very expensive to repair, the poor design of these parts could lead to serious safety problems as the vehicles age.”

   NHTSA complaint #10058528, filed 2004-02, 68,000 miles

   “I was driving highway speed when I heard a loud grinding noise in front end then a severe pull to my left which veered me off the road , luckily there was a grassy knoll to my left and not a guard rail. When I exited I found my front left wheel off . The shop said my wheel fell off due to a bad bearing. I found this odd due to my replacing both bearings a year before. Apparently its a common problem. Veh. Has 147k at this incident and only 126k when replaced parts the first time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10263224, filed 2009-03, 147,868 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signal multifunction switch keeps clicking

   • 36 complaints (8%)
   • median 92,253 mi at 10.1 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2019

   Complaints describe a constant blinker clicking sound, often from behind the glove box, whether or not a turn signal is on; the clicking sometimes stops while the brake pedal is pressed. Owners say the multifunction switch — which also carries wipers, cruise control, and high beams — was the cause, and that the part and labor were costly. Some reports mention related brake or exterior light behavior changing as well. Mostly reported between about 85,000 and 140,000 miles, though some owners say it began soon after purchase.

   What to check: With the engine running, listen for clicking from the dash or glove box with signals off, and check that turn signals, brake lights, wipers, and cruise control all work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a constant blinking noise coming from my glove box. When pressing on the break it quits. By looking up information on the internet I found out it is the multifunction switch. There were recalls on other years but not 1999 blazers. Its very expensive to fix. There was one on 1998 blazers I believe. I have a 99 chevy Blazer. Has happened since I bought it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10242842, filed 2008-09, 100,000 miles

   “I have 2 blazers 1999 and both have the same problem a failing multi function switch that makes an annoying constant clicking sound that come from behind the glove box. I had one repaired last year that cost me over 600$ and now my other Blazer is having the me the same problem .the part they have change is the arm for the flasher right /left in witch includes the cruise control high beam light.”

   NHTSA complaint #10302290, filed 2010-01, 129,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Engine oil cooler line and coolant leaks

   • 53 complaints (12%)
   • median 69,400 mi at 5.0 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners describe oil leaking from the engine oil cooler lines and their fittings, and coolant loss traced to a leaking intake gasket. Some report coolant boiling or the cooling system overheating repeatedly even after flushes. Repairs involved replacing lines, O-rings, and intake gaskets, and owners often note the labor cost compared with the small parts involved. Reported from about 40,000 to 94,000 miles, with a few at much higher mileage.

   What to check: Check for oil residue on the cooler lines and look for coolant loss, residue around the intake, or a sweet smell after a drive; ask whether the intake gasket has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I discovered oil leaking from my 99 chevy Blazer recently. I took it to my local independent mechanic and they informed me that I have two faulty oil cooling lines that must be replaced. Upon further investigation, I have discovered though several local dealerships and several internet web sites, that this is a very very common problem with 99 chevy blazers. I contacted GM customer service but they told me there is no current recall for this defect. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10062502, filed 2004-03, 58,000 miles

   “After noticing that I was loosing anifreeze in my vehicle, I recently had to replace the intake gaskets in my 1999 chevy Blazer. It has just over 40,000 miles. After doing research, I've found out that this is a commom problem w/ the GM vehicles and that there are thousands of people who have had to spend hundreds of dollars in repairs to have this fixed. It conveniently happens just after the warrenty period has expired. This is clearly unfair to the consumer and I would like to know why GM has not been forced to correct this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10007863, filed 2003-02, 44,298 miles

Buying note. A used 1999 Blazer is best bought after a shop inspection focused on the front ball joints, hub bearings, and brakes, since those are the most frequently reported areas. Records showing recent front-end and brake work, and no coolant or oil leaks, are worth more than low mileage alone on this model year.

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.