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.
During maintenance, owner noticed coolant getting dirty. Had it flushed four times. Heater quit working after first flush. Brownish-gray sludge was blocking the heater core. Mechanic stated it was due to a small leak in the intake manifold gasket causing small amounts of dirty air and oil to mix with coolant. Since having gasket replaced, coolant has not gotten dirty again. Vortec engines 1999-2003 were prone to this gasket failure. Dexcool doesn't mix well with dirt or oil.
Purchased used 99 Blazer for business use. 8 miles from dealers site, the day of purchase, vehicle overheated - 18,200 miles on it. Dealer replaced radiator and hoses - full flush of system - refilled with dexcool, at no charge. Solidified rusty sludge clogged radiator, heater core, and hoses - had identical problem with 96 Blazer. Personally replaced dexcool with zerex. Independent mechanic has seen 15-18 of these in last two years.
I purchased my 1999 Blazer "used" in 5/03, two months later the water pump started leaking horribly, had it replaced. Another month later it completely died on my in the middle of morning rush hour, found out that the fuel pump was completely shot, and the battery was not good...at the same time. Early last month I was told that the high pressure oil lines were leaking badly, and also that the idler arm on the front right is bad. Now as I am researching the Chevy Blazer more and more, I'm finding out that many consumers are having the same problems in all models. Chevrolet should be held responsible for many of these recurring problems, and something needs to be done!
Consumer stated that the anti-freeze that Chevrolet was using in vehicle was turning to sludge after 60,000 miles. This caused thermostat to freeze, and heater to become plugged up. Consumer stated that he was lucky that the thermostat froze in an open position because if it was hot it would have caused vehicle to overheat, and that was dangerous. He thought this was a design problem with Chevrolet.
Bought new/used 1999 Chevrolet Blazer from showcase Chevrolet in westminster ca. Had in possession for about 1 week and then began having radiator/cooling system problems. Dealership did not want to correct defect so tried to use lemon law. No one would give me information on general manager. Finally found out who GM was after 3 weeks of hassles. Found out that his name was joe perry and that he was on vacation at the time. When he returned I contacted him that day and told him about all my troubles and how the vehicle was obviously defective after being in the shop 2 times in less than a month. He was rude and not helpful what-so-ever with the situation. After being told basically its my problem now, I decided to find out the area managers name and how to contact him/her. Called Chevrolet customer service number and reported the vehicle problems and the service problems in which I had contacted just trying to fix my defective vehicle. Customer service pretended to care but nothing was being done. Then I called showcase Chevrolet back and talked with Mr. Perry once again, and asked him for the name of his area manager. I was told that they were independently owned and they did not have an area manager. I repeated him and made sure they did not have a manager that was higher on the list than Mr. Perry himself. I was bluntly told no. I then called customer service and found that they do have an area manager and that showcase thought I wanted to contact him. So instead of telling me that they did have an area manager but I could not contact him myself, he just though it would be better to say that Mr. Perry was the head of everything and they had no such thing as an area manager. Well now I'm here complaining to the last place I could find. Today I heard on the news of this outrages lawsuit with GM and their cooling system and dex-cool. That is what im experiencing with my vehicle.
Heater stopped producing heat after 35,000 miles. Required an extensive systems flush costing almost $400. Six months later, heater core failed causing coolant fumes to be exhausted into the passenger compartment where young children were riding. Replacement of heater core cost almost $850.
Seat recliner bracket broke as consumer was adjusting seatback. Consumer cannot position seatback for comfort. Dealer was notified. Consumer states that the radiator coolant caused radiator to fail.
100,00 anti-freeze turned to sludge causing engine overheating. Required replacement of radiator and all hoses. Service advisor stated a known problem with that coolant, and that they recommend coolant system service every 30,000 miles. Also state there were no technical service bulletins from GM regarding this issue. Repair costs $930 plus rental.
Cooling system developed a sludge, a 5hr super flush was required costing nearly $400, there is a partial blockage in the heater core and the engine block, there are no guarentees that this will not occur again. Chevrolet would not cover.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bellevue, WA, USA