3.5
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 37,492 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Intermittent windshield wiper. Fault due to faulty circuit board which fixed problem. GM was aware of defect but refused to guarantee repair on this make and model since they only covered up to year prior to 1998.
- Bristol, PA, USA
I am having the same problem that many other Blazer owners have with the windshield wipers. As the other complaints explain, they turn off after minutes of use, and sometimes will turn right back on, but usually stay off for a while.
- Newport News , VA, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. While driving 35 mph in the rain, the windshield wipers malfunctioned. The vehicle was pulled over until the rain stopped. The windshield wipers worked intermittently. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer. The failure mileage was 20,000 and current mileage was 57,000.
- Ballwin, MO, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact stated that the windshield wipers worked intermittently. The dealer stated that the module needed to be replaced. There was a recall for the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, NHTSA campaign id number 03V159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). The purchase date was unknown. The failure mileage was 70,000 and current mileage was 117,000. Updated 01/02/08. *4200 the consumer stated has 2 Chevrolet Blazer with the same intermittent defect. Updated 12/12/07
- Fenton, MI, USA
Winshield wipers work when they want to. Intermittent control is inoperable except at highest setting and usually shuts off completely during heavy down pours.
- Bristol, PA, USA
Windshield wipers work when they want. At times there is no problem at other times the stop in mid cycle and at other times the speed control won't allow them to shut off. This normally occurs during a downpour. I have looked at the other complaints and would like to know how many it takes before ntsb decides to make GM repair an obvious safety issue with this model.
- Brunswick, GA, USA
Issues one would not expect from a 20K plus vehicle including windshield wiper blade failure today ("near miss" accident from heavy rain and traffic), smoke emitting from steering column, continuous intermittent repetitive sounds emitting from turn signal controller(s). Signs and symptoms have all previously been described in great detail by other owners as: An instrument cluster issue, wiper control board, various connectors and or harness, multi-function switch, smoke concerns etc. Listed from complaints from ODI case numbers: 743685, 10014026, 10023129, 10030946, 10036610, 10045357, 10060630, 10066061, 10086138, 10086896, 10098912, 10103977, 10112458, 10137415, 549079, 847885, 866953, 874993.
- Elmira , NY, USA
1998 Chevy Blazer with multitude of problems, which Chevy denies. Including wiper failure, brake failure, complete corrosion of anything touched by dexcool, and on and on. Very unsafe vehicle!!!!!
- Niagara Falls, NY, USA
1998 Chevrolet Blazer windshield wiper failures 1) wiper operation has been intermittent and does not always function when wiper controls are exercised. Occurrence of this problem has been ongoing since this vehicles' initial purchase in 12/97. 2) wiper failure has resulted in unsafe driving conditions and near collisions with other vehicles. 3) initial investigation has deemed potential causes of failure to be cracked solder joints in wiper motor circuit module and/or defective wiper control switch. Corresponding corrective action is replacement of both: Wiper motor circuit module and wiper control switch.
- Rolling Hills Estates, CA, USA
: the consumer stated the windshield wiper motor worked intermittently. There is a NHTSA recall, # 03V159000, regarding the windshield wiper motor. The consumer experienced the same problem as indicated in the recall; however the vehicle identification number and model year was not included in the recall.
- Negley, OH, USA
My 1998 Blazer had a wiper failure during the first rainstorm of the California year yesterday. Fortunately, I was off the freeway and only a mile or two from home. The wipers would not work. This morning, they did. I saw that this is a frequent problem with the 1998 Blazer.
- San Diego, CA, USA
The windshield wipers work when they want to, they quit at anytime then start working again then quit. There is no delay, low, or high they work on what ever level they want to. I have called local dealers and there is a recall for other models of vehicles except for 1998 for the same reason.( it is going to cost $200 plus to fix) I went off the rode today on a major highway because of the wipers stopping in a down pour. This needs to be address as I see I am not the only one with this problem.
- Tecumseh, MI, USA
The windshield wipers do not work properly. There has been no accidents as of now. The consumer has not taken the vehicle to be repaired as of yet. The problem has been going on since 9-1-02.
- Lackawanna, NY, USA
Vehicle: 1998 Chevy Blazer 4dr 4X4 4.3L vortec V6 events leading up to failure: Normal driving conditions failure(s): There are two primary concerns with this vehicle: 1) fuel gauge does not work, it will report complete full and when varying amounts of fuel the fuel gauge bounces around(usually between half and full, but sometimes between E and full) I am forced to use trip odometer and approximate fuel economy to determine tank level. I have heard several to many anecdotal stories of other Chevy vehicles experiencing the same symptoms. 2) the windshield wipers work sporadically. Currently when operating in 'intermittent' mode, the windshield wipers will begin to operate in continuous, regular speed and will not turn off when switch turned to 'off' position. Situation will occasionally correct itself after several minutes. Other times I am required to stop, park, and turn off the vehicle before restarting it to turn the wipers off. Occasionally the wipers will not work at all in any position. Usually this only happens for a short periods of time, while I am trying to turn them on by scrubbing through all the positions of the switch. I owned a 95 GMC jimmy prior to this vehicle and experienced the exact same problem. This model year was covered under a recall that ended with, I believe, the 97 model year. Corrections/repairs: I have had neither problem repaired. Therefore, I still have the old parts. Instead of repairing, currently financially unfeasible, I am using rain-X for the windshield and the odometer for a fuel gauge. *incident date is approximately the last time the windshield wipers were used. I haven't driven in the rain much this summer.
- West Lafayette, IN, USA
Same complaint as documented in Chevrolet S10 Blazer recall 03023 but that is limited up to and including 1997 and my vehicle is a 1998.....
- Lanesboro, MN, USA
The consumer's front windshield wipers are not working properly. Only the driver's side wiper works and it gets stuck in the middle of the windshield when used. Sometimes the consumer has to stop, exit the vehicle and touch the wipers to get them to work properly.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
1) windshield wipers not working consistently if they work at all. Have had to stop driving during the rain or snow because of inability to see. 2) turn signal makes clicking sound even when not in use. Have paid to have the problems repaired to no avail. They both continue to malfunction.
- Erie, PA, USA
We bought a 1998 Chevy Blazer on December 1, 2204, the alternator was bad, the wipers won't work, wiper module, and oil leaks from the oil cooler. Drivers side door leaks air badly. Wipers quit working in the middle of a snow storm, almost causing me to wreck the vehicle.
- Spring Creek, NV, USA
The winshield wipers have a mind of their own. Sometimes they work and sometimes they only work on the highest speed. I've been told that no recall is available for this year. This is one of many reasons to buy a Honda or a Toyota.
- Orland Park, IL, USA
- Lake Worth, FL, USA