2002 Chevrolet Blazer

Above average

Owners filed 246 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the exterior lighting › brake lights › switch. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

143 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 59,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch18
010
Power Train › Automatic Transmission16
000
Exterior Lighting15
000
Electrical System15
035
Air Bags10
402
Steering7
203
Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch7
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine6
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer5
000
Unknown or Other5
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch08V231000
Filed May 21, 20085,862 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 5,862 MY 2000-2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER, MY 2000-2001 GMC JIMMY, AND MY 2000 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.

Risk. THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH CARRIER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> . NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 01V364).

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch01V364000
Filed Dec 3, 2001506,377 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.

Risk. THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH CARRIER. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002, WITH MAILINGS TO OWNERS OF 2000 AND EARLY 2001 VEHICLES. THE SECOND MAILING PHASE WILL BE TO REMAINING 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Nov 6, 2023MA

The Blazer is showing many codes in the ECM, even though it seems to be running properly. The codes include: p0171, p0174, p0101, p0128, p0155, p0300, p1870, p0128, p0155. The dash recently showed warning lights for parking brake, ABS, and Service Engine soon. It was checked a few days ago by a local repair shop. Two previous recalls showed multifunction switch failures which affected many vehicles.

Engine
Filed Nov 26, 2020268,104 milesOH

WHY DOES THIS WORK ON MY 1999 CHEVY & NOT MY 2002 CHEVY?

Electrical System
Filed Mar 20, 2020MI

MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. AS I OWED A 2001 GMC JIMMY THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL I KNEW THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS THE PROBLEM. I WENT TO MY LOCAL CHEV DEALERSHIP (KOEHNE CHEV) IN MARINETTE WI. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ONE MY VEHICLE. I ASKED ABOUT THE THREE TSB AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH A TSB. I KNOW THIS IS A ONGOING AND A SAFETY ISSUE (NO BRAKE LIGHTS). THE PART NUMBER ON THE SWITCH THAT I TOOK OUT IS 26096832. THERE HAS TO BE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLES WITH THESE SWITCHES IN THEM WITH THE POTENTIAL FATAL ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN!!!

Air Bags
Filed Nov 6, 2019128,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE FAILED TO CLOSE, AN ABNORMAL HUMMING NOISE WAS DETECTED, THE VEHICLE ROCKED, AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, AIR BAG, AND PARKING BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM JOYCE AUTOMOTIVE (18260 PAULSON DR, UNIT D3, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33954) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR, PINS, AND HINGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S DOOR DETACHED AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS WRAPPED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 26, 201937,450 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEING ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,450.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 201898,760 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENTS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT INFORMED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OF THE FAILURE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A STEERING RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,760.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 27, 2017CA

2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FLEX PLATE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLEX PLATE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 11/27/2017*JS

EngineFire
Filed Aug 22, 2017145,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SISTER WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN EXPLODED AND THERE WAS SMOKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S SISTER'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT'S BROTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HER BROTHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 25, 2017169,272 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE LOW FUEL AND SECURITY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,272.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 14, 2016OR

THE BLAZER LOOSES POWER AND SURGES BACK AND FORTH, I CAN SEE THE RPM NEEDLE GO UP AND DOWN AND THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. THIS HAPPENS A VARIOUS SPEEDS, 40 MPH, 45 MPH OR 55 AND ABOVE 65 MPH. I NEVER KNOW WHEN WILL START DOING IT. "THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME EVERY DAY"

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 3, 2016143,000 milesKY

RECEIVED A RECALL LAST OCTOBER 2015 ABOUT STRONG GAS SMALL. GOT APPOINTMENT AT CHEVY DEALER TO FIX PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER. DEALER SAYS I NEED A GAS TANK,BUT THEY CAN'T GET ANY FROM COMPANY. THEY HAVE OTHER RECALLS ALSO WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT ARE WAITING. NOW VEHICLE HAS BECOME HARD TO START. STILL WAITING FOR DEALER TO FIX. WHY DOES CHEVROLET SEND RECALLS IF THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF FIXING THE PROBLEM?? THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH GAS DRIPPING, AND THE STRONG GAS SMELL. IT IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN IF SOMEONE ACCIDENTLY DROPS A CIGARETTE AROUND THE CAR.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 7, 2016108,735 milesNC

"TAKATA RECALL" VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO ONLY GO RIGHT AND I COULDN'T TURN LEFT AND ENDED UP HITTING THE GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ANY RECALL SO I WENT TO JUNKYARD TO GET WHOLE FRONT END, FENDERS, HOOD AND PRETTY MUCH EVERY THING ON FRONT OF VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR MOTOR. BUT DID REPLACE FAN ON MOTOR. COST IN PARTS ONLY WAS APPROX. $700.00 (HAVE RECEIPTS). NOT INCLUDING LABOR! & TIME AND COST SPENT NOT HAVING A VEHICLE UNTIL FIXED. ALSO NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 8, 201594,224 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A SHERIFF, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 01V364000 AND 08V231000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,224.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 5, 2015156,000 milesFL

I DROVE TO AUTOZONE ON WEST COLONIAL DR AND HAD MY VEHICLE COMPUTER DIAGNOSED WHICH PRODUCED A CODE THAT STATED (STOP LAMP & REAR HAZARDOUS LAMP FAILURE) THERE IS A RECALL ON CERTAIN 2002 CHEVY BLAZERS VEHICLES, HOWEVER MY 2002 CHEVY BLAZER VIN # [XXX] DOESN'T HAVE THIS RECALL. CHEVY SHOULD IMPLEMENT A RECALL FOR ALL 2002 CHEVY BLAZERS. NOW THE DEALER WANTS OVER $500 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Air Bags
Filed Feb 26, 2015NJ

PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. AWOKE THIS MORNING TO FIND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO OTHER CARS WERE IN FRONT OR BACK OF IT. THIS IS A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.

Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2015102,000 milesIN

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING ON MY CHEVROLET SILVERADO LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY 4 ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS THAT CHEVROLETS HAVE EXTREMELY TOO MANY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE DEXRON ANTIFREEZE AND THE GASKETS THEY USED. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 24, 201490,000 milesIL

THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR SYSTEM BECOMES FAULTY AFTER 74,000 MILES. MINE STARTED AT APPROX. 90,000 MILES. I HAVE LEARNED ONLINE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY 2002 BLAZER OWNERS & GM WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. BECAUSE OF THIS THE CARS WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS DUE TO A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE & COSTS OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR ON A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE EVEN THOUGHT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACTUAL EMISSION OUTPUT. IT IS ONE THING TO HAVE PARTS BREAK DOWN WITH AGE AND QUITE ANOTHER TO HAVE THE SAME PART BECOME FAULTY ON A LARGE SCALE. I CANNOT RENEW MY PLATES DUE TO THE EMISSION FAILURE AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX A GAGE FOR A $1,000. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND ADMIT THEIR FAULT USING A CHEAP FAULTY PART TO SAVE $$. I KNOW THIS MAY NOT BE A "SAFETY" CONCERN PER SAY BUT GM ADVISED ME TO MAKE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. MY VEHICLE IS MY LIVELY HOOD & I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 6, 2014AZ

VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED 10/08/12 FROM CAR WORLD, 3400 NORTH ORACLE ROAD, TUCSON, ARIZONA, 85706. BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE STARTING AND STALLING PROBLEMS IN FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY 2013. I TOOK BLAZER TO H & M AUTO, 138 SOUTH VETERANS BLVD, 85713, TUCSON, ARIZONA. VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL PUMP WAS PROBLEM. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $250.00. IN MARCH OF 2013 FUEL PUMP FAILED. PUMP WAS RETURNED TO STORE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, SUNDOWN DISTRIBUTING II D.B.A. "COSTLESS AUTO PARTS". A NEW PUMP WAS INSTALLED. JANUARY 13, 2014- AGAIN FUEL PUMP FAILED. ONE YEAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I WAS REQUIRED TO PURCHASE A NEW FUEL PUMP AT A COST OF $185.99. I ALONG WITH MY SON REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. OCTOBER 2014- BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE STARTING PROBLEMS. BLAZER WAS INSPECTED BY TUCSON RADIATOR AND MUFFLER , INC. 410 WEST IRVINGTON ROAD, TUCSON ARIZONA,85714. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL PUMP WAS FAILING. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 4, 2014180,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V231000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 19, 2014241,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILED TO TURN OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED OUT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 241,000.

20 of 246 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261000Routine
202531100Routine
202445100Routine
202342200Routine
202249110Routine
2021133110Routine
2020217300Above average
2019186200Routine
20085000Routine
20079000Routine
200619010Routine
200515020Routine
200450100Routine
200377100Routine
2002 — this page246260Above average
2001326352Fatalities reported
2000589472Fatalities reported
1999436090Above average
199871631513Fatalities reported
19977687284Fatalities reported
19961,15311322Fatalities reported
19951,22411260High concern
1994620776Fatalities reported
19935117121Fatalities reported
1992278691Fatalities reported
19912227150Above average
199032470Routine

Compare every Blazer year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 21, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.