2000 Chevrolet Blazer Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 Chevrolet Blazer most often describe front-end suspension and wheel bearing noise, a fuel gauge that reads erratically, and transmission trouble that can leave the vehicle without reverse. Complaints also cover brake lights and hazard flashers that stop working, often linked by owners to a past safety recall on the multifunction switch. Many reports come in between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, and several describe parts being replaced more than once.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front wheel bearing and front-end noise or vibration

   • 89 complaints (15%)
   • median 43,620 mi at 4.5 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,004 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2020

   Owners report humming, roaring or vibration from the front end that worsens when turning, traced by mechanics to front wheel hub and bearing assemblies. Several had one side replaced and then the other, or the same side more than once, with some describing repeat failures within a year or two. Others group worn ball joints, idler arm and pitman arm with the same front-end work. Mostly reported between about 25,000 and 90,000 miles.

   What to check: Drive at highway speed and listen for a hum that changes when you steer left or right, and have the front wheel bearings, ball joints and steering linkage checked before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have replaced the hub assembly, idler arm, & wheel bearings on both driver & passenger side of my vehicle. When I drive over 45 MPH my car makes an awful sound & no matter what I change or have fixed the parking brake/ABS lights stay on. I've had many mechanics look at & say they've fixed the issue but none have actually fixed it. I was driving 70mph on the highway & my brakes felt as if they were locking up.”

   NHTSA complaint #11331221, filed 2020-06, 150,000 miles

   “My vehicle's front end has been giving me alot of front end problems. Bouncing & making a vibration noise . I brought it to the dealership & they tell me that I need ball joints and other suspension parts due to the ball joints being bad on my vehicle. I call around to other repair shops & they say that is a very common problem with blazers costing the consumer hundreds of dollars in repairs. So, what is chevy going to do about it ? Wait until a number of people get into accidents before they'll name it a recall ?”

   NHTSA complaint #10086459, filed 2004-08, 56,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Brake lights and hazard flashers stop working

   • 62 complaints (11%)
   • median 109,000 mi at 8.3 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $438 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2021

   Complaints describe brake lights, rear hazard lights and intermittent turn signals that quit working, sometimes with clicking from the relay or smoke from the steering column. Several owners link this to the multifunction switch in the steering column and say the dealer replaced it, in some cases noting a prior recall repair had already been done. Reports include a rear-end collision where the other driver said the brake lights were not lit. Spread from very low mileage up to about 150,000 miles, with many reports in the 80,000 to 140,000 range.

   Recall 08V231000Recall 01V364000

   What to check: Have someone watch the brake and hazard lights while you press the pedal and switch; ask whether the multifunction switch recall work was completed and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Relay for 4 way flashers is clicking, online my problem with flasher relay and brake lights is listed under recall 01073b. I have no idea if this recall was done, done properly or just timed out.”

   NHTSA complaint #11406641, filed 2021-04, 120,000 miles

   “I stopped at a traffic light and was hit in the rear by the vehicle behind, driving my vehicle into the vehicle in front of me. I was given a traffic ticket and my vehicle sustained damage to front and rear. The driver behind me stated that my vehicle did not have brake lights. Which was confirmed by the officer. The diagnosis by the dealership was that the multifunction switch in the steering column was broken. This was done on nov. 10, 2009 as I have been unable to get the vehicle there due to legal problems. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10292032, filed 2009-11, 150,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong or bounces

   • 59 complaints (10%)
   • median 59,500 mi at 5.0 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $710 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2014

   The fuel gauge swings between empty and full or stops registering, so owners track mileage to judge when to refuel; some report running out of fuel. Complaints attribute it to the fuel level sending unit, which is part of the fuel pump assembly, and several say the dealer quoted several hundred dollars for the repair. Owners who had the gauge fixed describe the needle wandering again, or note the sending unit was corroded. Most reports fall between about 37,000 and 90,000 miles, often after several years of use.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the key on, watch the gauge while the vehicle sits and while driving; an erratic needle points to the sending unit. Ask whether the fuel pump/sending unit was replaced and keep the receipt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The fuel sending unit is operating erratically, causing the gas gauge to be inaccurate. The cost of repair is $400.00 for a new sending unit/fuel pump and $200 for labor! I have heard from other GM owners that this is becoming a common problem. Gm will never get my money for a new car again if they don't own up to this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10074817, filed 2004-06, 89,000 miles

   “At 90,000 miles my fuel gage became erratic, chevy dealer says it's the fuel pump. At a cost of $800.00 to fix I'll calculate my mileage and live with out it. Gm taking low bid on the fuel pump means I no longer buy GM products. Fix mine at no cost and you got me back.............maybe!”

   NHTSA complaint #10231216, filed 2008-06, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission loses reverse or shifts harshly

   • 66 complaints (11%)
   • median 67,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2020

   Owners describe a pop or clunk followed by no reverse gear, only first and second, or hard 1-to-2 shifts after highway driving, sometimes with the service engine light on. Several say a shop told them the transmission needed replacement or valve body work well under 80,000 miles, and a few report repeat repairs. Some complaints note the transmission shop calling the pattern common for this unit. Typically reported between about 40,000 and 80,000 miles, sometimes after longer highway drives.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test reverse on a cold start and again after a highway drive, and check for delayed or firm shifts. Ask for transmission service records and whether the fluid was changed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought this Blazer 5 months ago and it only has 77,000 miles on it. I took my inlaws to the airport on saturday morning, 11/29/03, and the transmission went out, no reverse, only 1st and 2nd gear works. I am told by 3 different transmission shops that this is a common problem with this transmission. This is not right, why wasn't this been recalled?”

   NHTSA complaint #10049135, filed 2003-12, 77,001 miles

   “I own a 2000 chevy Blazer. In the past 3 months I have noticed hard shifting between 1st and 2nd gear after long trips on the interstate(happened 3 times). The service engine soon light came on and I took it to bill heard Chevrolet. Code error 1870 was recorded. It was a valve body assembly malfunction that caused my transmission to have to be replaced after only 67,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10072420, filed 2004-05, 67,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   ABS activates or brakes pull at low speed

   • 54 complaints (9%)
   • median 86,112 mi at 5.7 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,400 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2020

   Complaints describe the brake pedal pulsing or sinking and the ABS engaging during normal low-speed stops, with the vehicle not stopping as expected. Owners report the condition recurring after brake line or sensor work, and some say shops could not find a fault. Others describe the ABS light staying on and brakes that felt like they were locking at highway speed. Reported from roughly 70,000 to 150,000 miles, mostly during slow stops or in parking lots.

   Recall 99V220000

   What to check: Try several slow stops in a lot and note any pedal pulsing or ABS noise, and check the ABS warning light; ask about the front wheel speed sensor and hub service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The anti lock brakes failed to stop my 2000 Blazer in time to avoid hitting a deer. I contacted GM and they told me there was nothing they could do for me, there had been no recall on the 2000 Blazer like there was on other models of SUV's of the same year. I had the problem repaired on my own. It is my belief that there should be a recall on this SUV to prevent anyone from being injured or killed due to brake failing. There was $3200.00 damage on my Blazer and it cost $192.00 to have the problem repaired.”

   NHTSA complaint #10147404, filed 2006-01, 64,721 miles

   “While traveling at slow speeds, (less than 15 MPH) brake pedal pulses, and goes towards the floor. Abs then activates, and the truck does not stop. This has happened 5-10 times, twice causing collisions with curbs, and parking barriers. Garage that fixed a broken brake line, checked the brakes, and could find no problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #10018840, filed 2003-05, 78,000 miles

Buying note. These reports center on front-end wear parts, an erratic fuel gauge and transmission problems, so a pre-purchase inspection covering wheel bearings, ball joints and a cold-and-warm transmission test is worth the cost. Confirm the brake light multifunction switch recall work was done and ask for receipts on the fuel pump and transmission.

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.