2000 Chevrolet Blazer: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jan 20, 2011 · Suspension · 72,500 miles · MD

We have a 2000 chevy blazer VIN [xxx]. Since ownership the vehicle has been expected. My sister has complained numerous times about issues with rattles, squeaks and body issues. We have noticed early in the vehicles life the amount of rust this blazer has on the underbody. This has been the issue of some of the noises. Recently, she complained again of a suspension noise while stopping, turning or hitting ruts or holes in the road. I inspected and lubricated problematic points that we addressed in the past. The noise would come and go. Finally, she mentioned a feel of control loss while braking and making turns and the noise. She mentioned the noise was so loud people would stare or turn heads. Upon my inspection I was shocked and never have seen this problem on any vehicle. The rear shackles that hold the rear leaf spring to the frame had completely rusted through. Thus allowing the leaf spring to float freely on the frame rail in rear. This shackle allows the leaf spring to move forward and backward during suspension flex. In addition, this stabilizes the rear end and keeps everything in place-consult a mechanic for specific function. I have dealt with many cars in my life as well as trucks. Never, have I seen this rust issue in any vehicle-chevy to note as well. I am demanding a response to this problem and I will further contact traffic safety about this issue. I'm sorry, but this is a serious issue at hand. This blazer has around 73000 miles and from the outside paint and interior looks in excellent condition. However, when looking at the underside carriage, engine compartment and the integrity of the door hinges (especially drivers door) it is a mess. I am expecting a reasonable explanation on this issue and appreciate your input. *** this is the same letter I sent to gm. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 14, 2007 · Acceleration, Body · 120,000 miles · AR · crash

The handle that allows you to recline the seat broke off flushed with the seat, this happened to both the driver and passenger seats in june 2005. The hood will not pop up when the lever was pulled until one banged on the grill or the hood in certain spots, which just started in march of 2007. The gas mileage dropped from 20 mpg to 16 mpg within 6 months. The back glass stuck and was hard to open, started in 2006. When turning on the air conditioner (A/C ) the car had no power, I have to turn it off when accelerating on the interstate or on hills. If the cruise control was set it kicked off when the A/C was on. When I needed to stop quickly the brakes failed, and felt a grinding sensation through the pedal, but the mechanic changed the brakes and checked the rotors, but hasn't found any problem. Suspected a defect somewhere in the brake system\ as of 2005. The fan kicked on all the time, even when the engine was cold, and in winter when first starting. One mechanic told me that in many blazers the catalytic converter broke off in the muffler, which had to be replaced. Had been told this happened so much that most people left them off. Too many other problems to mentioned. Also, the horn worked only when it wanted to, problem in the steering wheel.

Filed May 3, 2006 · Lights, Locks · VA

We have owned 2000 blazer since 0/6/2001 2nd owner bought with less than 19000 miles on it. Multi-function switch replaced because of recall acts up when bulbs are weak. We are on the third set of upper ball joints none paid for by warranty. Left hub assembly failure which resulted in ABS malfunction fixed by extended warranty. Driver door hinge assembly rusted would not close without force fixed but not covered by any warranty. Suspect driver side is starting to fail again because of the loud squeaking. Most important! Passenger side door has developed same problem and will not shut correctly. On may 01,2006 after picking up my 12 year old nephew we were to starting to down the street when passenger door flew open!!!! I am afraid to let anyone sit in front until this is fixed! The hinges and pins appear to be getting wet and rusting . Also all rotors have had to be replaced on this vehicle . This blazer has only 88,000 miles on it. I have decided to include all problems but am most concerned about doors, if we had been going faster I am afraid my nephew would have fallen out of vehicle!!!

Filed Jul 28, 2005 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · IL

On the way back from a weekend camping trip we stopped for lunch. When we returned to the vehicle to leave there was a grinding noise and then a whirling noise and the reverse gear went out on the transmission. When we got home and I called around I found that this was a common problem with this vehicle.

Filed May 18, 2004 · Suspension · 41,000 miles · NY

While driving at 30 MPH, suddenly there was a grinding noise. The consumer pulled off the road to inspect the cause of the noise. The noticed that the front passenger tire was tilted. This occurred because the front upper ball joint broke and damaged the entire front end.

Filed Dec 3, 2003 · Brakes · 34,000 miles · MI

Rear brakes were making a light grinding noise. Upon inspection of the brakes by the mechanic, they noticed that the rear brakes/ front brake rotors, and pads wore out prematurely.

Filed Nov 10, 2003 · Transmission · 78,475 miles · MI

6/12/03, 2000 blazer 4x4 transmission suddenly lost ability to obtain all gears. After parking, the vehicle lost ability to shift into reverse as well. Noise transmitted from transmission contained metallic material grinding and moving within. At the time, the vehicle was still less than 3 years old with the majority of its use coming from work transportation. The chevy dealer would not quote without disassembling the transmission, which would be the majority of the labor involved in a full repair. They stated that they generally prefer to replace the transmission, $3200. A local transmission shop diagnosed the issue within 10 minutes. The owner has seen this issue on several occasions and literally described the symptoms as soon as I told him I had a blazer with transmission issues. The complete rebuild, due to a sun-shell gear failure, cost $2097.78. The technician stated that the non-robust joining of two cylinders (no fillet) as well as the thickness and material used allows the part to fail quite frequently. He had completed multiple jobs for this at his shop alone. In fact, an acquaintance of mine, had the identical situation happen with his blazer the week of 10/26/03. At the time of the incident I had called the chevy customer service line with no help coming from them. This has been the pinnacle of several failures on this vehicle including both front wheel bearing assemblies (38,000mi and 55,000mi), a power seat that quit working, a power window that quit working, and several paint issues. Reference chevy technical service bulletin 010730038.

Filed Oct 8, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 34,695 miles · CA

The fuel pump,line and tank are faulty at 35000 miles. I bought it as a used car from santa ana hyundai who agreed to fix the fuel pump but did not. The transmission is not changing gears properly, it would not start when I turned it off to get gas on 9-26-03, the left front end is popping with a loud noise,the brakes are not antilock brakes,it feels as if I am hitting metal when I stop hard,the panel lights would flicker, lights on dash board when flash when I had seatbelt on. I had a chevrolet dealership fix the minor things. The battery cable was loose and they oiled the joints to stop the squeak. The dealer refused to fix the fuel pump which is unsafe and demand I pay him money that is already above the price of this car. I am paying $14,000 plus for a 2000 chevrolet blazer with a faulty fuel pump.the door entry will not properly take in the key to open the door.the gauge meters were dancing back and forth and not properly reading the fuel.it was a rental car before I bought it so I had no real history of recalls or mechanical reports.

Filed Jun 2, 2003 · Seats · 64,000 miles · OH

The seat recliner on the drivers side broke. After fixing, the seat then squeaked and rattled. Dealership saaid I have a broken seat frame. Dealership won't pay for damanges. *ak this is the second general motors vehicle that has a broken seat recliner. The first one was a 98 gmc jimmy. Same thing happened.

Filed May 20, 2003 · Transmission · MO

For several weeks, 4lo light on dash would flash as if trying to shift into 4 wheel drive, on 5/19/03, it was locked into 4lo, have not been able to transfer to 2 wheel drive, very loud grinding noise in front end when trying to take out of 4lo.

Filed May 5, 2003 · Body, Brakes · 41,699 miles · NJ

Purchased 2000 blazer 11/24/00. Many problems since. Transmission cooler line, warranty repair. Oil cooler lines, upper and lower, warranty repair. Warranty expired and they are leaking still. Problem never really fixed. Idler arm, warranty repair. Driver side recline handle driver seat fell back would not return to upright position, warranty repair. Both front wheel bearings and rotors, warranty repair. From day 1 numerous rattles and squeaks. Door panels rattle constantly. Passenger seat rattles and squeaks. Windshield wiper entire arm came off, repaired at my expense. Out of warranty, at 41,699 miles but not even (2) years old, transmission had to be rebuilt at my expense. Chevy customer service is a joke! Cost of transmission $2,442 and the cost of a two week car rental. Even when transmission line had to be repaired we had to rent a car at our expense because local dealer refused to supply a loaner. Again chevy customer service a joke! Called chevy hot line/help line and was just given the run around. I will never buy chevy american made auto again. Why is it you can buy any item at most department stores and take it back and receive satisfaction, but spend $25,000+ for a chevy product and you are screwed when you simply want the reliability and service you were promised. I tell every person I meet not to buy a chevy. Solid like a rock? What a lie!

Filed Feb 8, 2003 · Suspension, Transmission · 37,000 miles · MA

Front wheel bearings making grinding noise at 37000 mi dealer would not cover under warranty cost $1004.00 to repair, also rear differential replaced at 35000 mi was covered under warranty