2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Trailblazer years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 18 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 12 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1,149 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. That ranks 2nd out of 18 Trailblazer model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (310 complaints, 27%), typically at around 66,000 miles. Complaints mention 103 crashes, 35 fires, 98 injuries. There are 12 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 10 defect investigations involving it.
- 1,149owner complaints
- 12safety recalls
- 10NHTSA investigations
- 103complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 310 | 27% | 66,000 | “transfer case” (13%) | $3,750 |
| Electrical System problems | 181 | 16% | 70,500 | “instrument panel” (10%) | $810 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 143 | 12% | 55,350 | “fan clutch” (28%) | $1,150 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 143 | 12% | 53,100 | “rear brake” (8%) | — |
| Air Bags problems | 102 | 9% | 80,000 | “air bags deploy” (19%) | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 101 | 9% | 76,000 | “fuel tank” (26%) | $1,250 |
| Visibility problems | 100 | 9% | 45,000 | “windshield wiper” (18%) | — |
| Seat Belts | 48 | 4% | 49,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 44 | 4% | 40,750 | — | — |
| Steering | 42 | 4% | 47,265 | — | — |
| Structure | 40 | 3% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 34 | 3% | 41,700 | — | — |
| Suspension | 33 | 3% | 63,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 28 | 2% | 64,667 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 23 | 2% | 143,767 | — | — |
| Tires | 19 | 2% | 56,202 | — | — |
| Engine | 17 | 1% | 143,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 | 1% | 46,525 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 16 | 1% | 84,231 | — | — |
| Seats | 14 | 1% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 10 | 1% | 120,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 1% | 155,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 8 | 1% | 71,598 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 1% | 84,429 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 5 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 0% | 113,188 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 0% | 16,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 0% | 8,000 | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 0% | 147,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 0% | 13,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls (12)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:brake lights
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat may cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb may flicker and eventually become inoperative.
Risk: An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on november 22, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, buick at 1-866-608-8080, or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Seat belts
Problem: Certain light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." one of the two sensors in the driver's and front passenger's seat belt retractors could be inoperative. The seat belt retractors will lock when the belt webbing is extracted during a crash; however, the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as heavy braking, may not operate as intended.
Risk: If this were to occur, the safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, and could result in injury to the occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver and front passenger safety belt retractors, and replace them if necessary. Owner notification began on june 24, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can either cause a short circuit or can lead to the corrosion of components within the module.
Risk: Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will cover the windshield wiper module vent hole with a patch. Also, the wiper motor, circuit board, and electrical connector will be inspected to signs of water intrusion and/or corrosion and be replaced as required. The recall began july 6, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Problem: Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards no. 101, "control location, identification, and illumination" and no. 208, "occupant crash protection." these vehicles have an intermittent condition during vehicle start-up in which the instrument panel cluster may not properly power up, resulting in most of the displays, telltale lights, and functions (except the service engine light, turn signal indicators, and the instrument panel cluster backlighting) being inoperative.
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the standard.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster. Owner notification began may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
Risk: These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Fix: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Structure:body
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles are missing welds on the rear floor plan.
Risk: In a crash, missing welds could degrade performance of the third row seat and safety belt anchorage and occupants could receive greater injuries.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds. If missing welds are found, gm will exchange the vehicle for an equivalent vehicle or provide a refund of the purchase price. Owner notification began october 4, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, a fuel filter fitting can become disconnected. If this were to occur while attempting to start the engine, a no-start condition would result and fuel would be pumped out the fuel filter onto the ground.
Risk: If the fitting becomes disconnected while the vehicle is in motion, the engine would stop due to inadequate fuel supply and cause a loss of power steering assist. If an ignition source were present, fuel leakage from a disconnected fuel filter fitting could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel filter quick connect retainers. Owner notification began september 20, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. Gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The calibration of the transfer case control module could cause insufficient high speed gear engagement.
Risk: If the gear is not engaged, the vehicle can roll when the transmission is in "park" and a crash could result without warning.
Fix: Dealers will update the transfer case control module calibration to increase gear engagement. Owner notification began november 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles (4 wheel-drive). Some of these vehicles were built with a range shift collar in the transmission transfer case that contains cracks.
Risk: This condition could result in a complete fracture of the range shift collar and subsequent loss of vehicle forward and reverse gears, and the inability to maintain "park" position. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash resulting from unintended movement of a parked vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transfer cases and update the control module calibration. Owner notification began september 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain circumstances the front lower control arm brackets may fracture. This fracture could result in separation of the front lower control arm from the frame.
Risk: A separation could result in loss of vehicle control, resulting in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right front lower control arm brackets. Owner notification began by telephone on april 4, 2001. The followup letter to consumers was mailed may 3, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Headlights (RQ17002) — opened Apr 24, 2017, closed Mar 29, 2021.
- Fuel pump module leaks gasoline (EA07009) — opened Jul 10, 2007, closed Aug 28, 2008.
- Fuel pump module leaks gasoline (PE07013) — opened Mar 12, 2007, closed Jul 10, 2007.
- Brake lamp failure (EA04021) — opened Aug 3, 2004, closed Nov 4, 2004, led to recall 04V527000.
- Brake lamp failure (PE04032) — opened Apr 6, 2004, closed Aug 3, 2004.
- Windshield wiper failure (EA04002) — opened Jan 6, 2004, closed Feb 10, 2004, led to recall 04V046000.
- Windshield wiper failure (PE03042) — opened Sep 17, 2003, closed Jan 6, 2004.
- 2002 trailblazer/envoy fuel tank leaks (PE02093) — opened Dec 17, 2002, closed Apr 9, 2003.
- Fuel filter quick connect fitting (RQ02010) — opened Jul 19, 2002, closed Nov 21, 2002, led to recall 02V121001.
- Pincher/chafed wiring (PE02036) — opened Mar 18, 2002, closed Oct 3, 2002.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I was driving on the highway going 65mph which is the legal speed limit. I got cut off by a driver and light tapped my brakes to slow the vehicle down. When I did so the vehicle then swerved to the left and started drifting sideways directly to a wall. I went head on with the wall. Then I bounced…
The car rmp goes high when accelerating it's a common problem with the cooling fan which the company is aware of it but aren't held reliable! It's a shame that nhtsa hade many complaining about the issue but aren't holding the manufacturer responsible this could of hade me and my family in an…
Airbag on drivers side deployed from the drivers seat without being hit. Opened my car door and the bag was deployed. Car was parked in my driveway.
A month a go
The contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph and not noticed that the vehicles ahead were stopped at a traffic light, causing him to crash into the vehicles in front. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and…
Other Chevrolet Trailblazer years
← 2001 Trailblazer · 2003 Trailblazer →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Trailblazer | 10 | 1 |
| 2025 Trailblazer | 25 | 1 |
| 2024 Trailblazer | 33 | 1 |
| 2023 Trailblazer | 71 | 0 |
| 2022 Trailblazer | 111 | 1 |
| 2021 Trailblazer | 195 | 4 |
| 2014 Trailblazer | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 Trailblazer | 27 | 0 |
| 2008 Trailblazer | 193 | 0 |
| 2007 Trailblazer | 732 | 5 |
| 2006 Trailblazer | 1,108 | 8 |
| 2005 Trailblazer | 1,466 | 2 |
| 2004 Trailblazer | 1,081 | 2 |
| 2003 Trailblazer | 901 | 8 |
| 2002 | 1,149 | 12 |
| 2001 Trailblazer | 20 | 0 |
| 2000 Trailblazer | 26 | 0 |
| 1999 Trailblazer | 4 | 0 |
See all Chevrolet Trailblazer problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Owners most often report power train, electrical system, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 310 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Yes, 12 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Trailblazer model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.