2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT

Routine

Owners filed 100 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
64,000 milesMedian miles at failure

85 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,00050,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission18
000
Electrical System12
020
Fuel System, Gasoline9
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap8
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan6
000
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights5
000
Structure4
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch4
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine3
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch05V494000
Filed Oct 27, 200598,007 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCH THAT MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SPLASH, SUCH AS WATER AND ROAD SALT. THESE VEHICLES WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Risk. IF THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY AND IT GOES UNNOTICED, IT MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ALONG THE LOWER PART OF THE ROCKER PANEL TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF CORROSIVE MATERIAL, AND INSPECT THE REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCHES. FUNCTIONAL LATCHES WILL BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. NON-FUNCTIONING LATCHES WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights04V527000
Filed Nov 1, 2004871,473 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer04V046000
Filed Feb 4, 2004581,394 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed May 21, 2017140,000 milesMI

SMELLING GAS EVEN THOUGH NO GAS WAS SPILLED. THE CAR IS STATIONARY IN GARAGE. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO KEEP IN THE GARAGE AND I AM PARKING IT OUTSIDE. I AM ALSO WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 17, 2014117,150 milesNJ

MY CHECK ENGINE TURNED ON INSIDE THE CAR IT WAS SMELLING LIKE GAS . I WENT TO A LOCAL SHOP THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ITS A FUEL TANK LEAK . ITS LEAKING RIGHT WERE THE FUEL GOES IN THE TANK . I CALLED CHEVROLET AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL . BUT I FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE ACTION #EAO7009. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 15, 201372,000 milesOH

THE WIPERS STOP HALF WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHEN IT IS RAINING. REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED OF THE WIPERS. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. MY DISABLED SON HAS TO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE. IT NEEDS TO BE SAFE AND GM COULD CARE LESS. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE. THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH ALL TRAILBLAZERS. GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS FACT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 13, 201365,000 milesNM

OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DISPLAYING 50 DEGREES REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. WHEN ACTUAL TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING THIS REPRESENTS A HAZARD. WHEN TEMPERATURES ABOVE 50 DEGREES AIR CONDITIONING NOT RESPONSIVE (EVEN WHEN TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF 100 DEGREES, "HEATER" COMES ON DUE TO ERRONEOUS OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE READING). POOR FUEL MILEAGE RESULTS FROM INCORRECT AIR/FUEL MIXTURE AT ACTUAL AIR TEMPERATURES MORE THAN 20 DEGREES +/- 50 DEGREE SYSTEM TEMPERATURE. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 19, 2013177,000 milesCA

PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY, LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, A FEW MINUTES LATER SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD AND IT SMELLED LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. POPPED HOOD AND FUSE BLOCK AND RELAY WE SMOKING AND MELTING! GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHED AND PULLED THE HEAD LIGHT RELAY SWITCH, BUT IT HAD MELTED THROUGH THE BLOCK!!!! *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 28, 2013128,000 milesMI

THE HEADLIGHT WIRING INSIDE OF THE LENS ASSEMBLY OVER HEATS AND MELTS THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR GOING TO THE BULB AND THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. HAD TO GO AND HAVE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING PLUS CONNECTOR REPLACED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 19, 2011130,000 milesWY

LARGER OCCURRING ISSUES WHICH COULD EFFECT SAFETY INCLUDE THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY DECIDING TO CHANGE FROM 2WD/A4WD/4WDH4WDL WHENEVER IT WANTS TO UNDER VARIOUS WEATHER/ROAD CONDITIONS (INCLUDING PERFECT WEATHER AND ROAD SURFACE) AND OCCASIONAL RANDOM IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL ON IT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL RIGS LIKE THIS ONE COME IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE .. I BELIEVE THAT CHEVY GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND HAVE THIS FIXED BEFORE I OR SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED OR KILLED.. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 1, 2011120,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEAR OUT OF PARK POSITION AND IT SHIFTED INTO A DIFFERENT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE GEAR SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE GEAR SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V075000, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE RECALL REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON-GOING FOR THE LAST YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 16, 201119,000 milesCO

INTRUMENT PANEL QUITS FUNCTIONING AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND MAY START WORKING AT ANYTIME, ACCURACY IS QUESTIONABLE. THIS INCLUDES SPEEDOMETER, TEMPERATURE, CHARGING AND FUEL GAUGES. *LN

Electrical System
Filed Aug 31, 201030,000 milesID

OUR 2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER MIRRORS WILL NOT RESET TO THE MEMORY POSITIONS. THE MIRRORS CHANGE POSITIONS BY THEMSELVES AND HAVE TO BE READJUSTED EVERYTIME THE CAR IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 17, 2010155,000 milesNJ

I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT WHICH HAS BEEN IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED BY ME. PRIOR TO GOING ON A VACATION I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO MY MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION AS USUAL AND HE INFORMED ME THE TRANSMISSION FUEL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. HE ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL WHICH PROMPTED CHEVROLET TO CHANGE THE DESIGN. HE CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS ON A RECALL LIST BUT WAS NOT. I CHECKED THE NHTSA SITE AND HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WITH GM AND PLACED ON A RECALL LIST FOR REPLACEMENT BY A DEALERSHIP? *TR

Visibility
Filed Jun 25, 2010110,000 milesKY

2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CLAIM THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED AND WILL NOT BE FIXED AGAIN MY THING IS IF IT IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE WIPERS NOT FIXED THEN THEY SHOULD BE FIXED UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED WE HAVE TO RIDE AROUND WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING OR DRIVE ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE WE CANT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED OURSELVES I CALLED CHEVROLET AND THEY SAID TO BAD IT WAS UP TO US ONLY ONE RECALL. CAN YOU HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM OR WILL THIS CONTINUE TO GO UNNOTICED THANK YOU SO MUCH. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 12, 2010100,004 milesLA

OUR 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LOSES POWER AND THE TROUBLE LIGHTS FLASH INCLUDING THE SERVICE LIGHT AND REDUCED POWER LIGHT COME ON. I HAVE CHANGED THE 02 SENSOR, FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND HAD THE EMISSION SYSTEM CHECKED ALL TO NO AVAIL. OUR MECHANIC CANNOT ISOLATE THE PROBLEM AND ALL THINGS WE HAVE TRIED HAS FAILED. WE HAVE RESET THE COMPUTER SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE HAD NO HELP FROM GM. *TR

Visibility
Filed Apr 22, 2010123,000 milesPA

I PURCHASED A USED 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VIN# [XXX] AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS WILL NOT TURN ON AND CEASED OPERATION WHILE IN USE. (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM) THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON 2/4/2004 RECALL ID #69922 I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 7/2004 FOR A SEAL ASSEMBLY AND THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THEY COULD DO. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS THE INFORMATION BELOW WAS POSTED IN THE RECALL AD: 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. CONSEQUENCE DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HOW CAN CHEVROLET GET AWAY WITH SELLING A PRODUCT WITH KNOWN DEFECTS AND NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR INSURING THAT THESE DEFECTS ARE PROPERLY FIXED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 22, 201075,000 milesWY

NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE, FOUND OUT A CRACK IN THE TANK AROUND THE TUBE CONNECTING THE HOSE COMING FROM THE FILLER NECK, QUITE DANGEROUS IT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, ASK GM AND THE HAVE A SAFETY POLICY ADJUSTMENT, BUT IT EXPIRES WHEN THE CAR IS 7 YEARS OLD OR 70000 MILES, THERE ARE MANY MANY CASES LIKE THIS SO THIS MUST BE A RECALL ISSUE AT MY POINT OF VIEW. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 23, 2010114,000 milesIN

2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. SPEEDOMETER STICKS AND REMAINS AT LAST KNOWN SPEED OR STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY. ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE IS TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF AND RESTART.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 13, 201043,000 milesIL

THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WING FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 2, 2009100,000 milesNY

FUEL LEAK AND HEAVY FUEL FUMES WITH GAS TANK/ASSEMBLY LEAK ON 2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 29, 200936,000 milesAL

MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I AM WRITING TODAY REGARDING THE ENGINE THAT HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. THERE WERE MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING; AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS, BACK TAIL LIGHTS ETC. THE ENGINE FAILED, AND WAS REPLACED BEFORE 32K MILES AND AGAIN AT 72K. NOW ON THE THIRD TIME, THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! WHEN WE CONTACTED GM INC. THEY ASKED US TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THERE LOCAL SHOP. THE SHOP TOOK THE VEHICLE APART AND DECIDED PER GM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH IS INFORMATION GM KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE SHELLING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR A LEMON PRODUCT THEY MADE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS SUV. AS I REMEMBER MY TAX DOLLARS BAILED THEM OUT AND HELP GM STAY AFLOAT! I AM NOT ASKING FOR MUCH. I PAID CASH $26,544 FOR THIS GM PRODUCT. THEY GOT PAID AND THE ONLY THING I GOT IS PAIN FROM AN SUV THAT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE START. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX A TRUCK I ALREADY PAID FOR AND MAINTAINED AS THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED. AFTER WORKING 30 YEARS, I HAVE FALLEN ILL AND NOW I AM ON A FIXED INCOME. I AM ONLY ASKING FOR MY SUV TO BE FIXED BY GM BECAUSE THEY KNOW THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. TO ADD, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I NEED MY VEHICLE, ITS MY TRANSPORTATION TO THE DOCTOR. I THOUGHT I HAD A RELIABLE SUV THAT WOULD LAST ME. GM YOU ARE WRONG FOR SELLING A DISABLED WOMEN A LEMON WITH PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE THEN REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! HONOR YOUR PRODUCT. EVEN

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 23, 20092,288 milesAZ

THE FUEL TANK ON MY VEHICLE HAS LEAKED OR HAD AN EVAP LEAK DETECTED AND HAD NEEDED A REPLACEMENT 4 TIMES IN 7 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. FIRST REPLACEMENT AT 2288 MILES ON10/04/02, THEN 18474 MILES ON 10/17/03, THEN 34782 MILES ON 08/21/04 AND 96121 MILES ON 01/21/09.THE CAR DEALERSHIP HAS COMPLETED THE REPLACEMENTS EACH TIME AND WERE PREVIOUSLY COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT IS NOW NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN AT $1000 EXPENSE. *TR

20 of 100 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2006189620Routine
2004261130Above average
2003313360Above average
2002 — this page100320Routine

Compare every Trailblazer EXT year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: Oct 27, 2005. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.