1997 Chevrolet Blazer vs 1997 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1997 Chevrolet Blazer | 1997 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 768 | 1,731 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 59 | 369 |
| Investigations | 2 | 6 |
| Crash reports | 60 | 156 |
| Fire reports | 28 | 53 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16–19 | 14–18 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 87,948 mi | 100,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Blazer | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 7 | 669 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 93 | 198 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 47 | 202 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 144 | 83 |
| Visibility | 129 | 90 |
| Power Train | 110 | 104 |
| Suspension | 105 | 105 |
| Electrical System | 89 | 80 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 41 | 20 |
| Stalling | 26 | 71 |
| Brake problems | 21 | 12 |
| Vibration / shaking | 14 | 69 |
| Electrical failures | 13 | 0 |
| Shifting problems | 9 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 7 | 16 |
| Won’t start | 6 | 0 |
1997 Chevrolet Blazer
1997 Ford Explorer
Compare all Chevrolet Blazer vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.