MYRModel Year Report

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
1,149
Recalls
13

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
10

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1999: 4 complaints 1999 2000: 26 complaints 2001: 20 complaints 2002: 1,149 complaints 2002 1,149 2003: 901 complaints 2004: 1,081 complaints 2005: 1,466 complaints 2005 2006: 1,107 complaints 2007: 732 complaints 2008: 193 complaints 2008 2009: 27 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2021: 195 complaints 2021 2022: 110 complaints 2023: 71 complaints 2024: 32 complaints 2024 2025: 24 complaints 2026: 10 complaints
1999: 4 complaints 1999 2000: 26 complaints 2001: 20 complaints 2002: 1,149 complaints 2002 1,149 2003: 901 complaints 2004: 1,081 complaints 2005: 1,466 complaints 2005 2006: 1,107 complaints 2007: 732 complaints 2007 2008: 193 complaints 2009: 27 complaints 2009 2014: 1 complaint 2021: 195 complaints 2021 2022: 110 complaints 2023: 71 complaints 2023 2024: 32 complaints 2025: 24 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints
1999: 4 complaints 1999 2000: 26 complaints 2000 2001: 20 complaints 2001 2002: 1,149 complaints 2002 1,149 2003: 901 complaints 2003 2004: 1,081 complaints 2004 2005: 1,466 complaints 2005 2006: 1,107 complaints 2006 2007: 732 complaints 2007 2008: 193 complaints 2008 2009: 27 complaints 2009 2014: 1 complaint 2014 2021: 195 complaints 2021 2022: 110 complaints 2022 2023: 71 complaints 2023 2024: 32 complaints 2024 2025: 24 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints 2026

2002: 1,149 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19994
200026
200120
20021,149
2003901
20041,081
20051,466
20061,107
2007732
2008193
200927
20141
2021195
2022110
202371
202432
202524
202610

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

28% · 320 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

17% · 198 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2012-12-10

Consumer started vehicle and shifted to reverse and suddenly smoke came from under the hood, consumer could not get out of vehicle since doors locked upon starting vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-02-15

Also filed under Structure

Exterior lighting

13% · 154 reports

Most commonly citing brake lights and headlights.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 145 reports

Most commonly citing engine and fan.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The consumer states that while driving at 45MPH, the vehicle stalled and died out with out warning resulting in a collision. The dealer has inspected the vehicle three times prior to this incident.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-03

Air bags

9% · 106 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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, 2025-03-21

Also filed under Service brakes and wheels

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, 2018-08-17

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, 2017-11-03

Also filed under Seat belts

Safety timeline

13 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2001-04-04Suspension01V126000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2001-09-06Power train01V283000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2001-11-06Power train01V334000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 1,149 complaints filed for this model year.
  5. I
    2002-03-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-10-03 Pincher/chafed wiring
  6. I
    2002-07-19Recall queryClosed 2002-11-21 Fuel filter quick connect fitting
  7. R
    2002-08-15Air bags02V222000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2002-09-20Fuel system, gasoline02V121000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2002-10-04Structure02V273000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2002-12-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-09 2002 Trailblazer/Envoy fuel tank leaks
  11. R
    2003-05-29Electrical system03V096000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2003-05-29Power train03V075000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2003-08-20Equipment03V250000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    2003-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-01-06 Windshield wiper failure
  15. I
    2004-01-06Engineering analysisClosed 2004-02-10 Windshield wiper failure
  16. I
    2004-04-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-08-03 Brake lamp failure
  17. R
    2004-06-24Seat belts04V201000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2004-07-06Visibility04V046000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. I
    2004-08-03Engineering analysisClosed 2004-11-04 Brake lamp failure
  20. R
    2004-11-22Exterior lighting04V527000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  21. R
    2006-05-02Exterior lighting06E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  22. I
    2007-03-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-07-10 Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
  23. I
    2007-07-10Engineering analysisClosed 2008-08-28 Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
  24. I
    2017-04-24Recall queryClosed 2021-03-29 Loss of Headlights

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 320 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 198 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 154 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01V126000 · Suspension
  • Recall 01V283000 · Power train
  • Recall 01V334000 · Power train
  • Recall 02V222000 · Air bags
  • Recall 02V121000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 02V273000 · Structure
  • Recall 03V096000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 03V075000 · Power train
  • Recall 03V250000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V201000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 04V046000 · Visibility
  • Recall 04V527000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?
13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.