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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,923 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Chevrolet Blazer transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Chevrolet Blazer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #83

Jan 052007

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Miramar, FL, USA

problem #82

Sep 172004

Blazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
The reaction shell of the transmission failed, causing transmission to go bad. Reverse/first gear, and fourth gear were defective.

- Blacklick, OH, USA

problem #81

Nov 262003

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,010 miles
Transmission is bucking, shifting hard thru gears while driving. Service light dosn't want to go out.

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #80

Jan 162004

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,465 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. On stopping and checking found dip stick showed no fluid but had rust and grit on the end fluid appeared to have been leaking out of the top of the tube and there was trans fluid all over the bottom of the vehicle had the vehicle towed back to used car dealer he put in 8 qts of fluid to get it to move his mechanic said it appeared that the fluid "boiled" out of the dip stick tube but didn't know why in checking the internet it appears that these symptoms are common but unsupported by Chevy on this model year of Blazer.

- Leicester, NY, USA

problem #79

Dec 022003

(reported on)

Blazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving there was a buzzing noise. Consumer turned around and parked vehicle. Vehicle would not go into first gear or third gear.

- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA

problem #78

Aug 052003

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,850 miles
P 1870 transmission slippage code. I have abrupt shifting between 1st and 2nd gears. Trips over 20 miles seems to aggrevate the situation. Occasionally after the 20 plus mile trip the transmission seems to wind up as the gas is applied and the vehicle doesn't respond with forward momentum.

- Atco , NJ, USA

problem #77

Aug 142003

Blazer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving and coming to complete stop automatic transmission doesn't shift properly from the first to the second gear, won't shift, and makes loud noise. Dealer notified.

- Douglas, GA, USA

problem #76

Jan 092003

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,200 miles
Automatic transmission not shifting from reverse to first gear. Causing the engine to race but moving as though it is in second or third gear to start from a dead stop. Once moving at second gear speed it is working fine. Service engine light is on. When scanned it shows codes P0740 and P1860 (P0740 is tcc sensor malfunction ---P1860 is shift plate D grounded to battery)when codes are cleared the codes come back. Transmission fluid and filter have been replaced.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #75

Apr 012003

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
There is a bad design in the bundle of wiring above transmission with plastic ring holding bundle, this bundle is not attached to anything allowing move rub till they short out in the Chevrolet Blazer, mine is a 1997. My Blazer wiring caused my transmission switch to short out and I was first told I needed a new transmission so I took it for second opinion, the second shop cut the wire from the bundle, rerouted it from transmission switch and the transmission switch worked. Other wires in the same bundle caused shorts through out all wiring causing a constant draw of electric and running battery down. When a fuse is removed it breaks the circuit and battery does not run down. The shorted wiring caused day lights to not work, interior lights to stay on unless I pulled the fuse and numerous other electrical problems. This is the second time I have had it in the shop for the same thing. They are now dropping the transmission to get to the bundle of wires to fix shorts and I am taking pictures of all of this. The shop had two other Blazer in at the same time for the same problem. I will also take pictures of those Blazer, one of the Blazer is the shop owners wife. The shops are telling me it should be a recall. I plan to report this to as many agencies as possible and interview as many shops as possible about this problem, I believe it is a fire hazard since it shorts out. The wiring bundle is also connected to the fuel pump at the gas tank. I hope Chevrolet will act soon and take responsibility for this problem. There should be a recall on this. I have also had it in nix Chevrolet where I bought it and the ac did not work, they have worked on the ac 8 times and totally rebuilt everything and I still do not have ac"??" they said they will look at it again. I also have numerous recalls I will have to have fixed. I have had so much trouble with this vehicle since I bought it, it's been in the shop more than I have got to drive it. I will never buy Chevrolet again.

- Mcalester, OK, USA

problem #74

Mar 192003

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,700 miles
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!

- Cottage Grove , MN, USA

problem #73

Feb 231998

Blazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission in my vehicle has a defective valve body and it caused my transmission to break, I went to the dealer when I first had the problem of a hard shift from first to second gear when the vehicle was being driven long distances. The dealer said the vehicle is shifting fine and to bring it back when it does it again. This was back on 08/19/02 and now I have a code 1870 on the computer and the transmission is shot. I found out the transmission is a 4L60E and it is very unreliable. Also I already had to change my water pump and alternator and my gas gauge does not work and there is a problem with my windshield wipers also.

- Whitestone,Ny, NY, USA

problem #72

May 192002

Blazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles
Transmission tube and dip stick were rusted and sediment was in the transmission fluid. Transmission jerks switching from first to second gear. Noticeable slipping between shifting while driving 45-55 mph.

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

problem #71

Aug 122002

Blazer

  • miles
This truck was always serviced at the dealer where it was purchased. Any scheduled maintenance was done including the transmission. On the 60,000 service the service manager suggested a flush type of transmission service & I said to proceed. The very next day the vehicle was picked up & immediately showed symptoms of shifting at different speeds than it had before the service. After some calls to the service department the vehicle was brought back so they could diagnose the problem. No definitive answer could be given but the service manager stated, they, the dealership, would accept no responsibility for the problem. I guess they never heard of cause & effect. Needless to say I removed the vehicle from their possession immediately. A third party repair facility had determined the transmission had self destructed to the point of major damage. Subsequently I spoke with other shops only to find the method of flushing was a bad idea most likely did cause the failure. So much for an authorized dealer & manufacturer standing behind their work. This cost me to the tune of $2,000.

- Oradell, NJ, USA

problem #70

Oct 052001

Blazer 4WD

  • miles
GM won't reimburse ball joints due to replacement not by GM dealer.

- Pryor, OK, USA

problem #69

Aug 272002

Blazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
After running the vehicle on the highway for a short amount of time, the vehicle shifts hard from first gear to second. Had to rebuild the transmision. Several other vehicles, same make and model, and even year, were in the shop for the same problem.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #68

Aug 072002

Blazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Contamination in transmission fluid. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #67

May 022002

Blazer

  • miles
While slowing down from high speeds vehicle will start to accelerate. Also, vehicle will shutdown at times too. Contacted dealer, and dealer has replaced several parts of vehicle, including transmission; but, nothing has worked yet.

- Cumberlnd, KY, USA

problem #66

Aug 012000

Blazer

  • miles
Consumer noticed that the transmission fluid level indicator tube was rusty, tsb 594999 relates to this problem, since the consumer is not the original owner of the vehicle, GM will not offer any assistance.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #65

Apr 192002

Blazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My '1997 Chevrolet Blazer lost its control after failing its right front upper ball joint of knuckle assembly. Right front tire was off the ground and the rh frt knuckle scrubbed the inside of tire rim. The Chevrolet dealer inform me to replace the upper ball joint as a recall item. And they charge me for all the other damaged parts. Second problem: The gear shifting lever did not go to the right position on the prindle during my driving. I asked the Chevy dealer to fix it. They open the instrument panel and they told me they fixed it. The same day, my transmission was engaged into different gears against my intention during drving condition. The transmission began to make a kicking sound on the road besides shifting into any gearas and making serious metallic noise on the free way. The Chevy dealer recommended me my vehicle needed a new transmission and I had to pay for it after paying for instrument panel fix, replacement of torque converter and towing from Tennessee to detroit.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #64

Aug 152001

Blazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission started failing at 25,000 in August 2001 on a 1997 Blazer. !St repair found transmission cooler clogged with blue plastic, mechanic thinks it was part of a plastic cap to cver ends of cooler assy before it was installed at the factory cost to replace cooler and service transmission $290 2 weeks later transmission problems came back - hits gears hard and when making right or left turn with out stopping and applying gas after turn transmission was slipping. Transmission shop torn down transmission foun rusty dip stick, alot of burn marks on various parts, screens clogged with dist substance, metal grindings in pan, valve assy rusty, replaced converter total cost $1717 drove vehicle 1 day problems started again (slipping) mechanic at his cost changed converter and checked his work found everything ok -results still slipping. Mechanic told me at my cost I need to replace the pump in the transmission said this is unusual to have to replace. Told me new punp for this vehicle was quoted to him at $800. I was so sick over this, stressed ouyt and could not sleep for nights decided to chance it at get a used xmission from junkjard and take the pump out $400. Mechanic did not charge me labor to put the pump in total bill = $2407 the transmission mechanic said in all the 25+ yrs rebuilding transmissions he never experenced any thing like this. This is a crime for GM to not do anything about these failures knowing so many people are having simulr problems in the Blazer.

- Hershey, PA, USA

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