2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 310 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 66,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “transfer case” (13% of reports).
- 310power train complaints
- 66,000median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 8mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $3,750typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Transfer case: mentioned in 40 of 310 complaints (13%)
- Transmission failed: mentioned in 20 of 310 complaints (6%)
- Sun shell: mentioned in 17 of 310 complaints (5%)
- Four wheel: mentioned in 16 of 310 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer at $3,750, and half of them between $2,250 and $4,450.
Based on 40 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 251 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 310 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 8 an injury.
Chevrolet Trailblazer power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Trailblazer | 1 | 9% | 100 |
| 2025 Trailblazer | 6 | 24% | 700 |
| 2024 Trailblazer | 7 | 21% | 10,000 |
| 2023 Trailblazer | 10 | 14% | 44,962 |
| 2022 Trailblazer | 34 | 31% | 43,000 |
| 2021 Trailblazer | 41 | 21% | 32,000 |
| 2014 Trailblazer | 1 | 100% | 79,000 |
| 2009 Trailblazer | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2008 Trailblazer | 10 | 5% | 47,858 |
| 2007 Trailblazer | 15 | 2% | 65,000 |
| 2006 Trailblazer | 50 | 5% | 70,500 |
| 2005 Trailblazer | 51 | 3% | 77,349 |
| 2004 Trailblazer | 62 | 6% | 58,000 |
| 2003 Trailblazer | 103 | 11% | 71,770 |
| 2002 Trailblazer | 310 | 27% | 66,000 |
| 2001 Trailblazer | 5 | 25% | 80,000 |
| 2000 Trailblazer | 5 | 19% | 60,000 |
| 1999 Trailblazer | 2 | 50% | 67,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving at various speeds, fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that there was rust in the transmission line and fluid leaked on the catalytic converter. The local dealer was not…
Electrical under dash shorting out. Causing accessory plug to shoot sparks as well as causing dash lights to go out, and front panel to stop working. Ac electrical quit working after. 4wheel drive shifts randomly in and out of 2 and 4 wheel drive, causing the transmission to get stuck in neutral…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving approximately 35 mph, the transmission shifted out of gear and the anti-theft lock and battery warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazers have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 310 owner complaints about power train for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer (27% of the 1,149 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 66,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,750 (half paid between $2,250 and $4,450), from 40 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
The most frequent phrase is “transfer case”, in 40 of 310 complaints, followed by “transmission failed” (20).
Other 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
See all 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems or power train problems across all Trailblazer years.