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2002 Chevrolet TrailblazerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,149 owner complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, most often about the power train. It is covered by 12 safety recalls.

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
29
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.4× the Trailblazer median · #2 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls12Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1,149212 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage66kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 21, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer has problems

1,149 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train31015
Electrical system18126
Engine and engine cooling1437
Exterior lighting1438
Air bags10268
Fuel system, gasoline1012
Visibility1001
Seat belts486
Service brakes, hydraulic4411
21 other systems30445

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

12 recalls

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 04V-527 · Nov 1, 2004 · 871,473 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 04V-201 · Apr 28, 2004 · 261,801 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 04V-046 · Feb 4, 2004 · 581,394 vehicles

Risk. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 8 more recalls
–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 03V-075 · Mar 6, 2003 · 511,167 vehicles

Risk. THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Structure: body

Recall 02V-273 · Oct 4, 2002 · 46 vehicles

Risk. IN A CRASH, MISSING WELDS COULD DEGRADE PERFORMANCE OF THE THIRD ROW SEAT AND SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND OCCUPANTS COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 02V-121 · Aug 23, 2002 · 136,511 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 02V-222 · Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Recall 01V-334 · Oct 17, 2001 · 78,004 vehicles

Risk. IF THE GEAR IS NOT ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN "PARK" AND A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Recall 01V-283 · Sep 5, 2001 · 895 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

66kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 251 power train complaints. 78% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
38under 30k miles195under 100k miles56100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

38 owners mentioned a cost

$2,350median

Middle half: $1,564 – $2,851

Engine and engine cooling

16 owners mentioned a cost

$713median

Middle half: $600 – $825

Electrical system

10 owners mentioned a cost

$500median

Middle half: $178 – $708

Fuel system, gasoline

8 owners mentioned a cost

$755median

Middle half: $663 – $894

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Trailblazer year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Trailblazer median. How we score

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'14'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer safety ratings

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
10 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA04002 · closed Feb 10, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-046
  2. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREEA04021 · closed Nov 4, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-527
  3. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEEA07009 · closed Aug 28, 2008
    No recall
  4. PINCHER/CHAFED WIRINGPE02036 · closed Oct 3, 2002
    No recall
  5. 2002 TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY FUEL TANK LEAKSPE02093 · closed Apr 9, 2003
    No recall
  6. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREPE03042 · closed Jan 6, 2004
    No recall
  7. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREPE04032 · closed Aug 3, 2004
    No recall
  8. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEPE07013 · closed Jul 10, 2007
    No recall
  9. FUEL FILTER QUICK CONNECT FITTINGRQ02010 · closed Nov 21, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-121
  10. Loss of HeadlightsRQ17002 · closed Mar 29, 2021
    No recall
In owners' words

What Trailblazer owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11297999 · Jan 8, 2020 · 120,000 miles
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.…
Complaint 11267812 · Oct 10, 2019 · 220,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10917639 · Oct 20, 2016 · 143,000 miles

Own a 2002 Trailblazer?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.