The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 288 of 720 complaints (40%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 770 in 1997 to 720 in 1998.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 720
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $3,450–$3,900
- Combined MPG
- 16–18
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450–3,900 | 3,300–3,900 | 3,450–3,900 | 3,650–4,450 | 3,450–4,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–18 | 16–19 | 16–18 | 14–17 | 15–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–23 | 14–16 / 19–21 | 13–15 / 16–21 | 13–15 / 16–21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–555 | 468–555 | 494–555 | 523–635 | 494–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,153 | 770 | 720 | 441 | 591 | |
| Recalls issued | 11 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 157 | 60 | 46 | 36 | 46 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 32 | 28 | 15 | 9 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 103 | 66 | 39 | 38 | 32 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer?
Visibility & Lighting: 288 of 720 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer get?
EPA rates it 16–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer?
EPA estimates $3,450–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 14 mpg (low) | 20 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 67 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 74 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 77 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 69 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 29 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 72 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 58 | 28 | 0 | 24 | 3 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 33 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 118 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 288 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| Other | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
- Consequence
- THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
- Consequence
- PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.