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2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext, most often about the fuel system (23% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles). It is 4th of 4 Trailblazer Ext model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext problems
Fuel system
23 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
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…
I have a crack in the fill neck of my gas tank. Very expensive fix on a 2002 Trailblazer Ext. Caused a loss of speed on the highway and effects the pick up especially when going up hills, even small inclines.
Transmission
20 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
I backed of the garage and heard a loud noise. As I pulled forward the truck moved very slowly for how far the gas pedal was pushed. I went to go in reverse again but the truck would not go into reverse and could hear a loud whining from the motor. I this just happened to day but I figure it's the transmission. Also…
Transmission failed. Diagnosis was reverse sun shell failure (just like all the other complaints listed on this site)! Gm refuses to offer any cost assistance with the repair or acknowledge that there is an obvious defect that should be recalled!!!
Electrical
14 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery.
I have a 2002 trailblazer in which 4 out of the six instruments in the gauge cluster have stopped working correctly which in turn could be a safety issue.
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…
Engine
14 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
2002 Chevrolet electronic clutch fan failure. Many of these electronic clutch fans are failing in our area. Imo, due to high heat causing o-ring seal failure and loss of silicon lubricant. Imo, part is not well enough built to withstand sw heat.
Complete engine failure. Bought the vehicle used with 45,000 miles on the vehicle. 4 months after I bought it, and with only 54,000 miles on the engine, it has a lower engine failure.
Lights
10 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, back up lights, tail lights.
I have a 2002 trailblazer with multiple taillight / brake light failures. The dealership has resolved my problem, however I thought this information might be helpful to your open investigation. In november 03 my brake lights failed and my dealership "replaced the bulbs" under my then existing warranty. Again, in…
This problem concerns a repeated lighting systems failure. This incident occurred when I was notified by another motorist that when I had the brakes on while stopped at a stop light that both the left and right tail stop lamps were not lit although the center high mounted stop lamp did light to indicate the brakes…
Visibility and wipers
10 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer, glass, side/rear, rearview mirrors/devices.
Dt the drivers and passengers rear door handles will not open properly. Consumer has to go inside the vehicle to open the doors. Also, there was a recall for the windsheild wiper and washer, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. The windshiel wipers start on their own, and one could hear the motor going…
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…
Doors and locks
6 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: doors, hatchback/liftgate, tailgate.
Rear hatch (tailgate) window will release while driving without warning. This has happened on numerous occasions. When this occurs, all the interior lights come on, which can be quite dangerous at night. In addition, items can fall out of the unsecured rear hatch (tailgate) window. I have tried lubricating the…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: body.
Driving to columbus, the upper molding around the third brake light got caught by the air flow bent up then broke free from two attachments. This allows the upper molding and brake slight to "flap" in the air flow. If this had broke free hit could have hit another car behind and/or broke the rear tailgate window. Did…
The headliner of my vehicle has become soaked with rain. I believe the weather stripping on the vehicle is defective. The headliner is soaked on the drivers side from the windshield to the middle row of seats.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext recalls
Doors and locks: latch
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: brake lights
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
Risk: Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of headlights
Summary
The subject vehicles are model year (my) 2002-2009 chevrolet trailblazer, gmc envoy, 2004-2007 buick rainier, 2003-2008 isuzu ascender, 2005-2009 saab 9-7x, 2002-2004 oldsmobile bravada, 2003-2006 chevrolet ssr, 2005-2009 buick lacrosse, and 2006-2008 pontiac grand prix. This scope includes the trailblazer/envoy variants: 2002-2006 envoy xl/trailblazer ext and 2004-2005 envoy xuv. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject headlight driver module (hdm). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by general motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicle
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
Summary
During the course of this ea investigation, odi observed that the majority of the complaints (88%) and warranty claims (94%) were reported for vehicles that are registered for use in the salt belt region of the US.this area includes 20 states in the northeast, mid atlantic and the midwest regions and the district of columbia.consumers in the salt belt region reported to odi that they could smell fuel vapors in their vehicles while driving.upon further examination of their vehicles, they discovered that fuel vapors were coming out of the top of the fuel tank. This condition is caused by corrosion of the return and sender lines of the fuel pump module.water and road salt collect on top of the
Fuel tank leak
Summary
In june 2007, gm will expand its special policy to address fuel tank inlet check valve (icv) fractures on certain model year (my) trailblazer ext and gmc envoy xl vehicles.the expanded policy covers my 2002-2004 trailblazer ext, gmc envoy xl, and gmc envoy xuv vehicles and will extend for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first).gm will provide free repair of the fuel tank. It is sending letters to owners beginning in june of 2007.this action supersedes gm's previous 7 year/70,000 mile special policy for my 2002 trailblazer ext and envoy xl vehicles.the condition is most often reported as illumination of the service engine soon (ses) light.the vehicle's diagnostic system
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
Summary
Odi has received reports that the fuel pump module leaks fuel and or vapor underneath the vehicle.gm states, the failure mechanism is corrosion of the fuel pump module flange which may lead to a fuel leak.corrosion of the fuel pump module flange is the result of the vehicle operating in a corrosive environment.odi has upgraded this pe to engineering analysis (ea07-009) to further assess this issue.
Brake lamp failure
Summary
Gm states that some brake/tail lamp bulbs can prematurely become inoperative due to malfunctioning brake/tail lamp sockets.on march 2, 2004, gm initiated a 6-year/72,000 mile special policy for 989,487 subject vehicles to inspect and replace the rear brake/tail lamp bulb socket assemblies.on april 4, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-032) based on consumer complaints alleging brake lights not operating when the brake pedal is depressed.on august 3, 2004 odi upgraded pe04-032 to an engineering analysis (ea04-021).by letter dated october 27, 2004 gm notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA # 04v527) covering subject vehicles
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (23 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); transmission (20 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); electrical (14 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 27, 2005 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext?
- It is 4th of 4 Trailblazer Ext model years by number of complaints, with 100 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.