CHEVROLET BLAZER · model year

2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER

301 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002CHEVROLETBLAZER carries 301 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 6 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 BLAZER is exterior lighting:brake lights:switch with 20 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (19) and exterior lighting (19). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2002 BLAZER, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

301
Complaints
20
Crashes
6
Fires
22
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

301 filings

Crashes Reported

20 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH20
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION19
EXTERIOR LIGHTING19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18
AIR BAGS11
STEERING9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
SERVICE BRAKES6
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE5
SUSPENSION5

Recalls (2)

08V23100021/05/2008

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 5,862 MY 2000-2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER, MY 2000-2001 GMC JIMMY, AND MY 2000 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER

01V36400003/12/2001

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.

Recent Complaints

20231106ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Blazer is showing many codes in the ECM, even though it seems to be running properly. The codes include: p0171, p0174, p0101, p0128, p0155, p0300, p1870, p0128, p0155. The dash recently showed warning lights for parking brake, ABS, and Service Engine soon. It was checked a few days ago by a local repair shop. Two previous recalls showed multifunction switch failures which affected many vehicles.

20201126ENGINE

WHY DOES THIS WORK ON MY 1999 CHEVY & NOT MY 2002 CHEVY?

Mileage: 268,104

20200320ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. AS I OWED A 2001 GMC JIMMY THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL I KNEW THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS THE PROBLEM. I WENT TO MY LOCAL CHEV DEALERSHIP (KOEHNE CHEV) IN MARINETTE WI. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ONE MY VEHICLE. I ASKED ABOUT THE THREE TSB AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH A TSB. I KNOW THIS IS A ONGOING AND A SAFETY ISSUE (NO BRAKE LIGHTS). THE PART NUMBER ON THE SWITCH THAT I TOOK OUT IS 26096832. THERE HAS TO BE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLES WITH THESE SWITCHES IN THEM WITH THE POTENTIAL FATAL ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN!!!

20200320EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. AS I OWED A 2001 GMC JIMMY THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL I KNEW THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS THE PROBLEM. I WENT TO MY LOCAL CHEV DEALERSHIP (KOEHNE CHEV) IN MARINETTE WI. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ONE MY VEHICLE. I ASKED ABOUT THE THREE TSB AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH A TSB. I KNOW THIS IS A ONGOING AND A SAFETY ISSUE (NO BRAKE LIGHTS). THE PART NUMBER ON THE SWITCH THAT I TOOK OUT IS 26096832. THERE HAS TO BE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLES WITH THESE SWITCHES IN THEM WITH THE POTENTIAL FATAL ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN!!!

20191106AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE FAILED TO CLOSE, AN ABNORMAL HUMMING NOISE WAS DETECTED, THE VEHICLE ROCKED, AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, AIR BAG, AND PARKING BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM JOYCE AUTOMOTIVE (18260 PAULSON DR, UNIT D3, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33954) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR, PINS, AND HINGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S DOOR DETACHED AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS WRAPPED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Mileage: 128,000

20191106SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE FAILED TO CLOSE, AN ABNORMAL HUMMING NOISE WAS DETECTED, THE VEHICLE ROCKED, AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, AIR BAG, AND PARKING BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM JOYCE AUTOMOTIVE (18260 PAULSON DR, UNIT D3, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33954) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR, PINS, AND HINGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S DOOR DETACHED AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS WRAPPED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Mileage: 128,000

20191106STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE FAILED TO CLOSE, AN ABNORMAL HUMMING NOISE WAS DETECTED, THE VEHICLE ROCKED, AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, AIR BAG, AND PARKING BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM JOYCE AUTOMOTIVE (18260 PAULSON DR, UNIT D3, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33954) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR, PINS, AND HINGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S DOOR DETACHED AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS WRAPPED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Mileage: 128,000

20190726AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEING ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,450.

Mileage: 37,450

20180305SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENTS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT INFORMED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OF THE FAILURE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A STEERING RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,760.

Mileage: 98,760

20180305EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENTS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT INFORMED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OF THE FAILURE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A STEERING RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,760.

Mileage: 98,760

20171127POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FLEX PLATE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLEX PLATE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 11/27/2017*JS

20170822FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SISTER WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN EXPLODED AND THERE WAS SMOKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S SISTER'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT'S BROTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HER BROTHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20170425ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE LOW FUEL AND SECURITY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,272.

Mileage: 169,272

20170425FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE LOW FUEL AND SECURITY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,272.

Mileage: 169,272

20160514UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BLAZER LOOSES POWER AND SURGES BACK AND FORTH, I CAN SEE THE RPM NEEDLE GO UP AND DOWN AND THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. THIS HAPPENS A VARIOUS SPEEDS, 40 MPH, 45 MPH OR 55 AND ABOVE 65 MPH. I NEVER KNOW WHEN WILL START DOING IT. "THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME EVERY DAY"

20160503FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

RECEIVED A RECALL LAST OCTOBER 2015 ABOUT STRONG GAS SMALL. GOT APPOINTMENT AT CHEVY DEALER TO FIX PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER. DEALER SAYS I NEED A GAS TANK,BUT THEY CAN'T GET ANY FROM COMPANY. THEY HAVE OTHER RECALLS ALSO WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT ARE WAITING. NOW VEHICLE HAS BECOME HARD TO START. STILL WAITING FOR DEALER TO FIX. WHY DOES CHEVROLET SEND RECALLS IF THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF FIXING THE PROBLEM?? THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH GAS DRIPPING, AND THE STRONG GAS SMELL. IT IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN IF SOMEONE ACCIDENTLY DROPS A CIGARETTE AROUND THE CAR.

Mileage: 143,000

20160307CrashAIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO ONLY GO RIGHT AND I COULDN'T TURN LEFT AND ENDED UP HITTING THE GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ANY RECALL SO I WENT TO JUNKYARD TO GET WHOLE FRONT END, FENDERS, HOOD AND PRETTY MUCH EVERY THING ON FRONT OF VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR MOTOR. BUT DID REPLACE FAN ON MOTOR. COST IN PARTS ONLY WAS APPROX. $700.00 (HAVE RECEIPTS). NOT INCLUDING LABOR! & TIME AND COST SPENT NOT HAVING A VEHICLE UNTIL FIXED. ALSO NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!

Mileage: 108,735

20160307CrashSTEERING

"TAKATA RECALL" VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO ONLY GO RIGHT AND I COULDN'T TURN LEFT AND ENDED UP HITTING THE GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ANY RECALL SO I WENT TO JUNKYARD TO GET WHOLE FRONT END, FENDERS, HOOD AND PRETTY MUCH EVERY THING ON FRONT OF VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR MOTOR. BUT DID REPLACE FAN ON MOTOR. COST IN PARTS ONLY WAS APPROX. $700.00 (HAVE RECEIPTS). NOT INCLUDING LABOR! & TIME AND COST SPENT NOT HAVING A VEHICLE UNTIL FIXED. ALSO NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!

Mileage: 108,735

20160307CrashSUSPENSION

"TAKATA RECALL" VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO ONLY GO RIGHT AND I COULDN'T TURN LEFT AND ENDED UP HITTING THE GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ANY RECALL SO I WENT TO JUNKYARD TO GET WHOLE FRONT END, FENDERS, HOOD AND PRETTY MUCH EVERY THING ON FRONT OF VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR MOTOR. BUT DID REPLACE FAN ON MOTOR. COST IN PARTS ONLY WAS APPROX. $700.00 (HAVE RECEIPTS). NOT INCLUDING LABOR! & TIME AND COST SPENT NOT HAVING A VEHICLE UNTIL FIXED. ALSO NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!

Mileage: 108,735

20150908EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A SHERIFF, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 01V364000 AND 08V231000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,224.

Mileage: 94,224

Compare 2002CHEVROLETBLAZER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER have?
The 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER has 301 NHTSA complaints, 20 crashes, 6 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER?
Yes, the 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER?
The most-complained component for the 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.