2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Trailblazer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1999: 4 complaints 1999 2000: 26 complaints 2001: 20 complaints 2002: 1149 complaints 2002 2003: 901 complaints 2004: 1081 complaints 2005: 1465 complaints 2005 2006: 1107 complaints 2007: 732 complaints 2008: 193 complaints 2008 2009: 27 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 100 complaints 2023: 61 complaints 2024: 32 complaints 2024 2025: 19 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2002: 1149 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19994
200026
200120
20021149
2003901
20041081
20051465
20061107
2007732
2008193
200927
20141
2021179
2022100
202361
202432
202519
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 163 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 120 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121210

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 66 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6%

6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 65 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 65 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250321

WE HYDROPLANED GOING ABOUT 40MPH IN RAINING CONDITIONS NEAR RICHLANDS, NC ON HWY 258. OVERCORRECTED, FISHTAILED AGAIN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, WAS HIT IN THE DRIVERSIDE REAR BY A ANOTHER CAR, HIT THE CURB AND ROLLED THREE TIMES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180817

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171103

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20010404 — suspension

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

Remedy: 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

Campaign 01V126000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010906 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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 U

Campaign 01V283000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20011106 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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

Campaign 01V334000 — check if this car was fixed

2002 — complaint volume: 1149
I 20020318 — PE (closed 20021003)

PINCHER/CHAFED WIRING

I 20020719 — RQ (closed 20021121)

FUEL FILTER QUICK CONNECT FITTING

R 20020815 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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 O

Campaign 02V222000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020920 — fuel system, gasoline

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 PUMPE

Remedy: 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 AN

Campaign 02V121000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20021004 — structure

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE MISSING WELDS ON THE REAR FLOOR PLAN.

Remedy: 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 B

Campaign 02V273000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021217 — PE (closed 20030409)

2002 TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY FUEL TANK LEAKS

R 20030529 — electrical system

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

Remedy: 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

Campaign 03V096000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030529 — power train

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 C

Remedy: 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 AN

Campaign 03V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030820 — equipment

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 DO

Remedy: 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

Campaign 03V250000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030917 — PE (closed 20040106)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

I 20040106 — EA (closed 20040210)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

I 20040406 — PE (closed 20040803)

BRAKE LAMP FAILURE

R 20040624 — seat belts

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

Remedy: 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 1-800-630-2

Campaign 04V201000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040706 — visibility

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 CONTINUOU

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 AN

Campaign 04V046000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040803 — EA (closed 20041104)

BRAKE LAMP FAILURE

R 20041122 — exterior lighting

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.

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 1-8

Campaign 04V527000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060502 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND

Remedy: POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

Campaign 06E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20070312 — PE (closed 20070710)

FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE

I 20070710 — EA (closed 20080828)

FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE

I 20170424 — RQ (closed 20210329)

Loss of Headlights

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (163 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (120 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (66 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 01V126000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V283000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V334000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V222000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V121000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V273000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V096000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V075000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V250000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V201000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V046000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V527000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2006 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?

13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.