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.
I purchase my 97 Blazer in Dec 2000 with 35000 miles from a local dealer, I believe it was a previous lease vehicle. Within one year I had to replace ball joints but was told that I did not qualify for a recall. In Feb of 2003 I lost my heat and spent close to 2000 dollars replacing first the water pump, then the radiator. After that didn't solve the problem, the dealership told me that the system needed to be flushed with a special machine that would cost another 400 dollars. The system had to be flushed twice to get marginal heat. According to the dealership, the next move is to replace the heater core. Now the wipers stop working and only restart by flipping the switch back and forth. Not real good on the highway in rush hour traffic. I recently had the alternator replaced and the dealership stated that the serpentine belt was old and cracked and needed to be replaced. It actually had less than 5000 miles on it as they replaced it in February when the water pump was done, there was nothing wrong with it. The combination of lousy service from 2 different dealerships, a vehicle that has had nothing but ongoing problems will be enough to stop me from buying another GM product again.
Vehicle was taken in for a routine inspection for tires, consumer states that mechanic noticed that the lower control arm ball joint had failed. No warning.
Consumer stated that the vehicle's steering became loose and "wobbly". also noticed that vehicle was having excessive alignment problems. Dealer diagnosed that the upper and lower front ball joints were corroded causing problems.
Upper and lower ball joints have to be replaced due to the joints separating while consumer was driving. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in recall 01I081000
While traveling at 30 mph ball joint came apart and caused the passenger side tire to go inward towards the engine. There was a recall to replaced ball joints. However vehicle was not included in recall. Wheel bearings, upper and lower ball joints and control arm had to be replaced.
- Hampton, NY, USA
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While getting an oil change technician informed consumer that upper and lower ball joints and idle arm needededto be replaced. Dealer notified, and informed that consumer that upper ball joint is cover edunder a recall, but not lower ball joint and idle arm. Feel free to provide any further information.
Consumer heard noises under vehicle. Took it to a mechanic, and found that upper and lower ball joints were corroded. Has not had any accident, but was afraid since discovering this problem.
Re: recall id 3's 01L08000 & 01V200000, dealer claims my vehicle is not included in these recalls. Independent review shows that ball joints and idler arm needs replacing at less than 50K miles. Will recall be expanded?
This vehicle has had numerous problems. From bad dexcool, witch caused a major overhaul of the cooling system at approx. 37000 or 3 1/2 yr. Yet Chevrolet states the coolant is good for 5yr or 150,000. The front ball joints had to be replaced at approx. 35,000. Just over the 3yr warranty with no help from Chevy despite numerous complaints of this failure. Also have had two batteries in the system one after only 3000 miles and the second one is now out at 38000 miles. There is a short in the system that still has not been found. The shift lever handle has been a changed 3 times and still rattle after approx. A month of use. The front drivers side mirror shakes to the point it is hard to see out of when driving. The hood rattles when going over bumps, which can be fixed by adding a solid rubber gasket at the top of hood to keep the hinge stops from bouncing on the frame. The front brakes had to be redone at 28,000.
This vehicle has had numerous problems. From bad dexcool, witch caused a major overhaul of the cooling system at approx. 37000 or 3 1/2 yr. Yet Chevrolet states the coolant is good for 5yr or 150,000. The front ball joints had to be replaced at approx. 35,000. Just over the 3yr warranty with no help from Chevy despite numerous complaints of this failure. Also have had two batteries in the system one after only 3000 miles and the second one is now out at 38000 miles. There is a short in the system that still has not been found. The shift lever handle has been a changed 3 times and still rattle after approx. A month of use. The front drivers side mirror shakes to the point it is hard to see out of when driving. The hood rattles when going over bumps, which can be fixed by adding a solid rubber gasket at the top of hood to keep the hinge stops from bouncing on the frame. The front brakes had to be redone at 28,000.
Upper and lower ball joints are worn out, causing squeaking in vehicle. Also, there was a recall on ball joints; but this vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated vehicle was not safe to drive.
Chevrolet contacted (reference # 205786717) in reference to problems with vehicle including: Failed ball joint while driving, others ball joints worn at that time and replaced (they were ok when checkced in July for state inspection), failed unit available; ignition switch failed causing vehicle to stall and eventually not start; problem with excessive wear on front disc pads (causing pads to be replaced 5 times in 48,000 miles). Chevreolet advises they are not going to take any actions concerning these problems. Copies of letters to Chevrolet & receipts available upon request.
Right front upper and lower ball joint failure, the dealer would not cover the claim, I had to use my extended warranty and they would not cover my rim that was damaged when the tire caved in from the failure.
The gas pedal has been sticking since I bought the vehicle. When I went to get an oil change in April of 2001 I had an all point vehicle inspection done. When I went to get my vehicle they told me that I needed to replace upper & lower ball joints on the front right side of my Chevrolet Blazer 4WD. I phone the GM hotline & I was told the my vehicle was not included on a recent recall that I just received by E-mail from autobytel. Could you please help me to find out if my vehicle is part of a recall? thank you for your time and concern. Lisa cook.
Consumer has had the vehicle in for service on numerous occasions due to problems with the suspension system, vehicle experienced continued noise and vibration problems, consumer was involved in an accident due to possible ball joint rusting and failure which caused the wheel to collapse while driving, dealership is not assisting the consumer.
Car was making banging sound when turning. Cause was identified as failed idler arm and ball joints. Repaired by GM/Chevy under 36,000 mile warranty. Concerned that low mileage failure may reflect significant and dangerous front end problem with Chevy Blazer.
Front left ball joints on my new 1997 Chevy Blazer failed @26K miles. They were replaced at a Chevy dealership, using General Motors parts. At 44K miles, the same front left ball joints failed. Because it is an intricate component of the vehicle's steering mechanism, I was urged to have them replaced. I chosen not to have them replaced for fear that the replacement parts used may be defective and fail once again. I have also chosen to limit my driving of the vehicle to only local use for fear that failure may occure again, but at highway speeds which may cause an accident with injuries or fatalities. What also has lead me to believe that this is not an isolated problem was that when picking up my vehicle another customer owning the same make and model as I was also told that their ball joints needed to be replaced. Coincidence? maybe so, but I'm not willing to take the risk.
Front left ball joints on my new 1997 Chevy Blazer failed @26K miles. They were replaced at a Chevy dealership, using General Motors parts. At 44K miles, the same front left ball joints failed. Because it is an intricate component of the vehicle's steering mechanism, I was urged to have them replaced. I chosen not to have them replaced for fear that the replacement parts used may be defective and fail once again. I have also chosen to limit my driving of the vehicle to only local use for fear that failure may occure again, but at highway speeds which may cause an accident with injuries or fatalities. What also has lead me to believe that this is not an isolated problem was that when picking up my vehicle another customer owning the same make and model as I was also told that their ball joints needed to be replaced. Coincidence? maybe so, but I'm not willing to take the risk.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Holbrook, MA, USA