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2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,149 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, most often about the transmission (27% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Trailblazer model year since 2000 and has 12 recalls.
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
Transmission
310 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline, clutch assembly.
Transmission failed due to band failure for the third and forth gears, completely burn up. Contacted Chevrolet. Dealer stated that they did have transmission problems. .....
Transmission leaked fluid from the seal, and the vehicle would not go over 25 MPH. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer, and the manufacturer stated they would only pay half for a new transmission.
Electrical
181 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer left low beam bulb stopped functioning. When I replaced it I found that the connector was black and melted. The replacement connector was significantly more robust.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The dashboard panel illuminated intermittently. The failure prevented the dashboard from displaying the speedometer and tachometer. Occasionally, the tachometer and speedometer displayed incorrect speeds. The dealer stated that the vehicle needed an instrument panel…
Engine
160 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Thermostatic-controlled clutch on radiator cooling fan was not disengaging and "service engine soon" warning lamp was lighted. "on-star" service probe confirmed problem in power train/cooling system. Dealer confirmed defective cooling fan clutch and replaced fan clutch assembly. This is a SUV that rarely sees travel…
2002 Trailblazer. Engine stalls while at low engine RPM. With it in park can hit the gas and rpms will go down below 500 then recover. Has actually died once. Almost died while pulling into a parking spot. Almost died when coming to a quick stop at light. At first thought it only occured with the AC on but have…
Lights
144 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, tail lights, turn signal.
The brake light in my truck failed. I have had chevy replace the circuit board but the problem still exists. The vehicle goes through light bulbs about once a month. The problem is in the contact between the bulb and the circuit board. It burns out the metal wire used in the contact. The filament never burns out.
Brake light failure....repeated burnt out bulbs on drivers side brake lamp switch control module for 4x4 replaced under warranty at 34,000 miles. Module has acted "quirky" since replacement. I have experienced temporary failure which corrected itself by next day. Possible loose wire???
Fuel system
132 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
Refer to NHTSA action number: pe07013 and ea07009 . . . . 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…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact smelled a strong gasoline odor in the passenger compartment. The vehicle would not start so she replaced the fuel filter. Immediately after repairing the vehicle, she noticed the same failure. A local mechanic stated that the fuel pump module needed to be…
Visibility and wipers
106 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, rearview mirrors/devices, rear window wiper/washer, windshield.
The front windsheild wipers on my 2002 Chevrolet trail blazer lt, have a problem. When they are set for slow speed, they skip (jerk) at the same spot during the wipe. When set for normal operation, they do not skip. I've cleaned the windsheild, and replaced the wiper blades, but the problem still exists. I believe…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact wanted to know why no one has contacted him in regards to the complaint that he filed a year ago. The original complaint was in reference to recall number 10169395 (visibility:windshield wipers). Chevrolet informed him that his complaint file was closed and…
Air bags
102 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 45 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle flipped over and crashed into an embankment. The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The road conditions were dry. The driver sustained minor injuries. The vehicle has not been…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact's wife was involved in a crash with an oncoming vehicle. The vehicle at fault struck the front and rear driver side doors of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. His wife suffered a cracked rib, cartilage damage, and internal damage. Property…
Brakes
55 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist, antilock.
Two different times while I was driving with traffic at approx. 70 MPH, traffic in front came to an abrupt stop. I had to pull to the roadside because my brakes would not stop the car. I went at least 3 car lengths further than the car in front of me. Had I not been in an outside lane there would have been a serious…
After less than eighteen months of ownership and having not even taken a lengthy trip our ls has racked up more head aches than a little. Just a few months ago dealers wanted to charge over $600. For a repair of the "fan clutch" something that never happens to vehicles to our knowledge. I have owned gm products for…
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 recalls
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.
Seat belts
Risk: If this were to occur, the safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, and could result in injury to the occupant.
Fix: 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 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
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 passenger's seat belt retractors could be inoperative. The seat belt retractors will lock when the belt webbing is extracted during a crash; however, the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as heavy braking, may not operate as intended.
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.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: 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 child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
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 does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Electrical: interior/under dash
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the standard.
Fix: 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 the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Full defect summary
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 protection." these vehicles have an intermittent condition during vehicle start-up in which the instrument panel cluster may not properly power up, resulting in most of the displays, telltale lights, and functions (except the service engine light, turn signal indicators, and the instrument panel cluster backlighting) being inoperative.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Fix: 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 and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
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 could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
Body and structure: body
Risk: In a crash, missing welds could degrade performance of the third row seat and safety belt anchorage and occupants could receive greater injuries.
Fix: 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 began october 4, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles are missing welds on the rear floor plan.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: If the fitting becomes disconnected while the vehicle is in motion, the engine would stop due to inadequate fuel supply and cause a loss of power steering assist. If an ignition source were present, fuel leakage from a disconnected fuel filter fitting could result in a fire.
Fix: 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 and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. Gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Full defect summary
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 pumped out the fuel filter onto the ground.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Fix: 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 on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Risk: If the gear is not engaged, the vehicle can roll when the transmission is in "park" and a crash could result without warning.
Fix: 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 agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Risk: This condition could result in a complete fracture of the range shift collar and subsequent loss of vehicle forward and reverse gears, and the inability to maintain "park" position. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash resulting from unintended movement of a parked vehicle.
Fix: 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 upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A separation could result in loss of vehicle control, resulting in a crash.
Fix: 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 who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
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 from the frame.
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 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
Brake lamp failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation on model year (my) 2002-04 chevrolet trailblazer vehicles.gm reports that other vehicles sharing this platform and brake lamp design are the my 2002-2004 chevrolet trailblazer ext; gmc envoy, xl, xuv; oldsmobile bravada and 2004 buick rainier.complaints allege that the rear brake lamp does not operate when the brake pedal is depressed.there is no indication to the driver from inside the vehicle that one or more brake lamps bulbs are not functioning.gm found that heat from the bulb could deform the lamp socket, produce electrical arcing and an inoperative bulb.to correct the condition, gm changed the bulb to a bulb that trans
Windshield wiper failure
Summary
On september 17, 2003, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-042) to investigate alleged windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 2002 and 2003 chevrolet trailblazer and trailblazer ext, gmc envoy and envoy xl, and oldsmobile bravada vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on january 6, 2004, and the scope was expanded to include certain my 2003 isuzu ascender vehicles.all subject vehicles are built on general motors? Gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the family design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsens
Windshield wiper failure
Summary
The subject vehicles (chevrolet trailblazer (ext), gmc envoy (xl), and oldsmobile bravada) are built on the gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the ?family? Design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsense automatic moisture sensitive wipers).the windshield wiper assembly is located inside the plenum at the base of the windshield and is mounted on an incline approximately equal to the rake of the windshield.gm reports that vehicles are subject to a quality assurance water test at the assembly plant.the test exposes the vehicles to an amount of water that exceeds the plenum?s capability to
2002 trailblazer/envoy fuel tank leaks
Summary
See attached report.
Fuel filter quick connect fitting
Summary
There is no summary currently available
Pincher/chafed wiring
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (310 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); electrical (181 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); engine (160 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?
- 12 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 1, 2004 (lights). 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?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Trailblazer model year since 2000, with 1,149 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.