Faults:

1997 Blazer 2 door 4x4.

I've replaced the following items over the 7 years I've owned my Brown Betty:

Brakes 4 times front, 2 times rear

Broken emergency brake cable

Fuel pump

Water pump

Rear U joint

ECM, ICM, O2 sensors

Battery 2x

Blinker timer

Stereo

Spark plugs + wires 2x

DEXCOOL with normal coolant

Ball Joints, Idler Arms, Pitman Arms

Temperature control knob

Serpentine belt 2x

Also done normal replacements and maintenance for wear and tear items like tires, differential fluids, oil, etc.

A/C is out will replace later (compressor leak after owning for 6+ years).

Oil cooler lines leak, replacing later.

Transmission shifts hard after driving over 55mph for a while, kicks off a service engine code, no real issue, been driving it with this problem for 6 years.

4x4 control button lights doesn't work anymore. 4x4 will occasionally blow the fuse when I try to take it back to 2wd, but never for a long time so I haven't fixed it.

General Comments:

IGNITION CONTROL MODULE/IGNITION WIRING HARNESS FOLKS!!!

I've got to say the biggest issue I ever had with this truck was the ignition control module and wiring harness. The black box where you stick your key in contains connection points for the wiring harness. These contact points carbonize over time.

Like several people on this site, I had the following symptoms: engine dying out, dash gauges going crazy or going out altogether, finally when it died out completely I could turn the engine over but it wouldn't start. No dash gauges, but the wipers and radio worked. Took me a long time to sort this issue out, and a lot of people misdiagnose this issue. When I discovered the problem, I could start the truck before I replaced the switch/harness by pressing hard in an upward direction right below the ignition and turning the key. Replaced this bad boy myself and worked beautifully from then on.

The engine is indestructible. I've driven it across the US several times. I've driven the hell out of this truck, hot-dogged it, driven for long periods of time on the highway with 4x4 on at 65mph (Chicago ice and snow). Absolutely love this truck even with the issues. I got a new 2006 Colorado Z71 4x4 Crew Cab LS and while nice I couldn't bear to get rid of my Brown Betty so I now let my Mom drive it. I wish my Colly had the 4.3L V6 instead of the 3.5L inline 5.

Faults:

Bought this Blazer with 100 k on it with a new engine, cause the old one spun a bearing.

A month later it needed ball joints, bushings, shocks, and a radiator. I've also replaced the tires, brakes, and a fuel pump left me stranded 4 states away from home.

It needed the A/C system completely overhauled, and a new ignition switch cause it was randomly shutting off while I was driving.

Horrible car.

General Comments:

This car is not a good one at all.

Faults:

Air conditioning, radiator, fuel sending unit (warranty covered), master brake cylinder seal (warranty covered).

One set of brakes and one set of tires.

Rear view mirror fell, but a quick fix cost nothing. A dealer will often give you the glue, and in this case help put it back.

After our local lube place didn't install the oil filter correctly, it had a re-manufactured engine (mostly out of my pocket; they only replaced it with a wrecking yard engine). Also new radiator due to metal shavings in the oil cooler; a total of almost $3,000 out of my pocket.

But after all these minor repairs, besides the damage caused by the lubby place, it has held up great, and I live in L.A. where a vehicle can be roughed up due to traffic and roads.

I think if you take care of your vehicle, it will take care of you. All my family and friends hate American cars, and are taught that here in L.A., but they drive only Japanese cars, and who do hey call when their car leaves them stranded on the side of the road, me that's who.

General Comments:

I have owned foreign cars in the past, and will only buy American as long as I live. Not that Japanese cars are bad, and we all know German engineering is good, but I have only experienced dependability with an American vehicle. Don't be an American car hater.