2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 26 |
| 2001 | 20 |
| 2002 | 1149 |
| 2003 | 901 |
| 2004 | 1081 |
| 2005 | 1465 |
| 2006 | 1107 |
| 2007 | 732 |
| 2008 | 193 |
| 2009 | 27 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2021 | 179 |
| 2022 | 100 |
| 2023 | 61 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
14% of complaints: power train — 163 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY10% of complaints: electrical system — 120 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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
6% of complaints: power train — 66 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 65 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: air bags — 65 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow 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
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
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
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
PINCHER/CHAFED WIRING
FUEL FILTER QUICK CONNECT FITTING
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
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
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
2002 TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY FUEL TANK LEAKS
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
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
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
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
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
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
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
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
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
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
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
WORST YEARS
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.