Faults:

It went through 5 fuel pumps in 2 years and required new ball joints at approximately 60k miles. I check excellent care of cars such as checking fluids once/week, tire pressure every month and not letting my fuel get below 1/2 tank so the pump can get sufficient cooling. I grease my cars every 3 months.

General Comments:

I drove Chevys and Pontiacs for 30 years and bought a Nissan 4x4 truck and a Hyundai Sontata to replace them. I love the Nissan and Hyundai because nothing has gone wrong.

Faults:

I just bought this vehicle not too long ago and already the rear main seal is wearing out.

There are several points under the car where oil leaks out.

The transmission is shift happy.

When the knob on the radio broke, I was told at the dealer to either fix it myself or prepare to buy a new radio.

The windshield washer fluid bottle leaks and the rear wiper fluid line sprays into the cargo area.

Driver's side door leaks when I go through a car wash or when it rains.

Air conditioning went out soon after I bought it.

General Comments:

The interior of the Blazer is fairly nice. In fact, the Blazer as a whole is a sharp looking vehicle.

The suspension seems to handle most on-road bumps without much trouble.

The Blazer feels like it is weak in the lower end of the power band.

At highway speeds, the noise is fairly loud. Annoying, but not unbearable.

The handling of the Blazer is about average.

From my experience, expect the check engine light to come on frequently.

The transfer case has not gone out and seems to be working great.

The ride height is low for a 4wd. To me, this is a mark against the Blazer.

The engine comes alive at highway speeds and has great passing power.

I talked to a friend who also has a Blazer like mine and he told me to expect to have a new issue every few months. His general feeling is that these Blazers are a problem vehicle.

Faults:

Ball joints.

Rear wiper.

Fuel pump 2x.

Engine (bad intake gasket).

Fuel filter 2x.

Transmission.

Ignition switch 2x.

General Comments:

I purchased this car mostly on impulse (I always wanted a Blazer). I wish I would have done some research before making the purchase. I have had a lot of the same problems as others. Seems that it is not a good model. I guess we can take some comfort in knowing that we are not alone.

Faults:

Be prepared to replace just about everything on your 1997 blazer. Fuel pump and sending unit, ignition switch, stuck key in ignition, etc. It is a once a month problem as always seems to have things wrong. Some of the work can be done by your "backyard" DIY people if you have time.

General Comments:

Never again... At least not that year of Blazer.

Faults:

I bought the Blazer knowing it needed a heater core; replaced it right after buying it. It has been a solid runner ever since.

I may need to replace a wheel bearing sooner or later, but it's not that loud right now, so it's not urgent.

General Comments:

I love this Blazer. I noticed all the negative reviews and maybe I just got lucky, but this has been extremely solid for me.

One of the more reliable I've owned and has never let me down. Everything still works as new and this is at 215,000 miles... absolutely no electrical issues.

The 4.3 gives me plenty of power.

Faults:

115K - Brakes and belt

118K - New pitman and idler arm

118K - Heater core

120K - Fuel pump & fuel filter & relay

121K - new tires

123K - U joints

123K - Full tune up

125K - New thermostat and TPS and K&N air filter

127K - Pitman and idler arm failed again.

Also replaced a wheel bearing.

Custom straight pipe exhaust.

A lot of the suspension is my fault as I have a nasty addiction for off roadin.

General Comments:

Great truck, for under 5 grand. A 10 year old vehicle with over 100K; I'd say the things that have went wrong are pretty normal.

I'm nearing 130K and it runs beautiful. I'm not the most kind to my cars cuz I have a lead foot and love trails and off roadin, but I keep up on maintenance, and most the repairs I did cuz I knew I'd need em soon; I didn't have to do em. Plus I do all the work myself, and this truck is so easy to work on. I always use Lucas and Mobile 1 products, and replace everything with performance or GM parts.

As for power, I could confuse the V6 for a V8, and offroadin I got stuck once; I bottomed out and my wheels were off the ground. I had a 93 Blazer pull me out.

Very tough american made truck; could pull a lot of weight; I've hauled lots of scrap, wood, etc. It's perfect for my lifestyle.

Jpanese vehicles might have less repair costs and maintenance, but go tow a 5500lb trailer with a Pathfinder or 4runner.

My only complaint is lifting this thing is expensive, but there are tons of drive train upgrades.

I recommend this truck to anyone who loves to have fun.

P.S. it's a damn gas hog, though if that's a problem though, I'd recommend an Isuzu Rodeo, the other best SUV, which is the same frame as a Blazer and has an unbreakable drive train.