Lemon?

Its seems most everyone has the same troubles with the 97 Blazer.
- Ball Joints *(recall item)*
- Wipers wont turn on/off. *(recall item)*
- Dexcool turns to sludge
- A/C only blows out the defrost and floor vents
- Interior lights stay on
- Ignition switch problems
- Bad window switch that could catch fire *(recall item)*
- Bad drivers side seatbelt *(recall item)*

I have also had these problems.
- Rear hatch seal was not affixed to the glass at factory (rear hatch would fly open)
- Side view mirrors are so flimsy and vibrate so bad they are useless
- Overhead console doesn't work
- Premature fuel pump failure
- Numerous electrical failures
- The middle spark plug on the drivers side is all but impossible to change

I have owned my 97 s10 Blazer (Vortex 4.3) since 1998/20,000 miles. I understand that vehicles require maintanace. and things do wear out. BUT, most of these things occured in the first 60k miles!! I suppose the ironic thing is that it is now 8 years old with 170k miles.............................I've yet to need to replace a burned out headlight!!

I wouldn't go as far as to call them lemons, but there are a few bad apples in every bunch!

To change that spark plug, you need to take your front tires off and access it throuh the wheelwell.

I have owned my 97 s10 Blazer (Vortex 4.3) since 1998/20,000 miles. I understand that vehicles require maintanace. and things do wear out. BUT, most of these things occured in the first 60k miles!! I suppose the ironic thing is that it is now 8 years old with 170k miles.............................I've yet to need to replace a burned out headlight!!


my 95 S-10 P/U still has the original headlights too, even after 177,000 miles (lots of night driving too) and hitting a deer that left the left headlight hanging by the wiring harness.

however the only problems ive had with it were:

crank sensor 3600 miles
had to clean EGR valve at about 135,000 miles
a/c pressure switch 100,000 miles
alternator 174,000 miles
abs unit doesnt work


everything else has been normal maintenance, plug, wires, brakes, tires, oil changes.

Sometimes I think that my 97 Blazer LT is great, other times I curse it. I bought it in July 1998 with 15,000. I had mostly trouble free miles until about 50,000. Had the front and rear WW motors go bad. At least Chevy recalled the front motor, after I replaced it at my own expense. At aboutm 80K, the mass airflow sensor went bad. It took the dealer 2 hours of labor to figure that out. Seems excessive? Participated in the upper ball joint recall, but I don't think they were bad. Now at 116,000 the check engine light won't go out. I replaced the spark plugs at 85,000 and the coolant and the tranny fluid. I changed the spark plug wires at 115,000 because the code that I get is P0300, "random engine misfire". This can mean a lot of things. Anyhow, tomorrow I am having a major tune up. Spark plugs, Cap, Rotor. They say that the fuel pressure regulator is bad. I hope that they know what they are doing!
Runs really rough at idle. I guess that it is time to give it some more $$.
Oh, the gas gauge hasn't worked for about 2 years, but I get around that with using the trip odometer. Even though it is not running good right now, I took it up to Pocono for the NASCAR race. Too many cautions to really enjoy. I was running in a convoy of 5 vehicles, 4 Chevy's and a Doge on Rt 84 @ 100 MPH. It actually ran good at that speed. I have a K&N air filter and a Hypertech programmer, which I did not have installed for Pocono because of the SES light. It really screams with the program. I can't wait to install it again. Mobil ONE since 40,000. It doesn't burn a drop of oil. Wish me luck!

I'm passing this tip on for those interested in checking on recalls on thier Blazers. www.recall-warnings.com The next think you should be aware of is when the hazard switch fails you lose turn signs and brake lamps. I found this out the hard way when I almost got creamed by a Semi. The part is $285 dollars! I'll have to save up to pay for this one. I'm told the 2000-2001 Blazers have this covered under a recall and they call out the multi-function switch. A Chevy tech said that was wrong, it is the hazard switch. For the record, I have a 1997 Blazer and it has it's moments, but it really works out for my family and pets. This is my 3rd Blazer ('94 and'95 previously) so it seems to work for me until I can that Suburban. Good Luck all!