Total Complaints
1573 filings
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER · model year
1573 NHTSA complaints, 152 crash reports, and 13 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002CHEVROLETTRAILBLAZER carries 1573 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 152 crashes, 52 fires, 142 injuries, and 8 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 TRAILBLAZER is power train:automatic transmission with 163 filings, followed by electrical system (120) and power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive) (68). 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 13 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 2 investigation files overlapping the 2002 TRAILBLAZER. 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.
Total Complaints
1573 filings
Crashes Reported
152 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 163 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 120 |
| POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | 68 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 65 |
| AIR BAGS | 65 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 52 |
| POWER TRAIN | 47 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 44 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN | 33 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 33 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 28 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 27 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 25 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 23 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 23 |
SEAT BELTS
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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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 IN
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
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
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 AD
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE MISSING WELDS ON THE REAR FLOOR PLAN.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
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.
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. When I did so the vehicle then swerved to the left and started drifting sideways directly to a wall. I went head on with the wall. Then I bounced back across all lanes of traffic again still sideways and drifting hitting another wall. Which is where the vehicle ended at the stopping point of the accident. No airbags deployed in the accident. The driver behind me who witness the crash stated that the vehicle started to loose traction before I hit my brakes and me hitting my brakes caused the vehicle to them loose full control. I was in the process of buying this vehicle from Gresham Ford in Oregon. I was told the vehicle was 100% road safe and passed safety inspections. Which is false.
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. When I did so the vehicle then swerved to the left and started drifting sideways directly to a wall. I went head on with the wall. Then I bounced back across all lanes of traffic again still sideways and drifting hitting another wall. Which is where the vehicle ended at the stopping point of the accident. No airbags deployed in the accident. The driver behind me who witness the crash stated that the vehicle started to loose traction before I hit my brakes and me hitting my brakes caused the vehicle to them loose full control. I was in the process of buying this vehicle from Gresham Ford in Oregon. I was told the vehicle was 100% road safe and passed safety inspections. Which is false.
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. When I did so the vehicle then swerved to the left and started drifting sideways directly to a wall. I went head on with the wall. Then I bounced back across all lanes of traffic again still sideways and drifting hitting another wall. Which is where the vehicle ended at the stopping point of the accident. No airbags deployed in the accident. The driver behind me who witness the crash stated that the vehicle started to loose traction before I hit my brakes and me hitting my brakes caused the vehicle to them loose full control. I was in the process of buying this vehicle from Gresham Ford in Oregon. I was told the vehicle was 100% road safe and passed safety inspections. Which is false.
The car rmp goes high when accelerating it's a common problem with the cooling fan which the company is aware of it but aren't held reliable! It's a shame that nhtsa hade many complaining about the issue but aren't holding the manufacturer responsible this could of hade me and my family in an accident!
The car rmp goes high when accelerating it's a common problem with the cooling fan which the company is aware of it but aren't held reliable! It's a shame that nhtsa hade many complaining about the issue but aren't holding the manufacturer responsible this could of hade me and my family in an accident!
Airbag on drivers side deployed from the drivers seat without being hit. Opened my car door and the bag was deployed. Car was parked in my driveway.
A month a go
The contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph and not noticed that the vehicles ahead were stopped at a traffic light, causing him to crash into the vehicles in front. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The contact received chest and head injuries. Medical attention was needed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SOLENOID WHICH HE BELIEVED REPAIRED THE ISSUE. SOON AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT FUSES AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CIRCUIT BOARD HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS FAILED TO FIX THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURES TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V096000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 04V527000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT CALLED CORWIN MOTORS KALISPELL (2565 US-93, KALISPELL, MT 59901, (406) 755-5555) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 247,000.
Mileage: 247,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SOLENOID WHICH HE BELIEVED REPAIRED THE ISSUE. SOON AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT FUSES AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CIRCUIT BOARD HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS FAILED TO FIX THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURES TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V096000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 04V527000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT CALLED CORWIN MOTORS KALISPELL (2565 US-93, KALISPELL, MT 59901, (406) 755-5555) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 247,000.
Mileage: 247,000
2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. NUMEROUS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CAR. WINDOWS DON'T COME DOWN, DOORS DON'T UNLOCK, AND OTHER ISSUES. *LD *JS
CAUGHT IN FIRE DONT KNOW WHY BUT THE WIRE GOT FIRE
Mileage: 5
MY KEY GETS STUCK IN MY IGNITION REPEATEDLY FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. AND NOW I HAVE TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE BATTERY WILL DIE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE CHASSIS WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND HAD STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.
Mileage: 118,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKY NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V126000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000
Mileage: 190,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST IN THE TRANSMISSION LINE AND FLUID LEAKED ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN VEERED TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK THE CENTER DIVIDER TWICE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES WHERE THE SEAT WAS LOCATED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER'S FACE WAS BRUISED AND A CAT SCAN WAS PERFORMED TO DETERMINE IF THERE WERE ANY BROKEN BONES, BUT THE TESTS WERE NEGATIVE. THE DRIVER ALSO TWISTED HER ANKLE AND THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF SWELLING ON HER KNEE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WANTED TO VISIT THE CONTACT'S HOME TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE FRAME IN MY TRAILBLAZER HAS BIG HOLES RUSTING THROUGH IT. A FRAME 100 YEARS OLD WILL NEVER RUST THROUGH. THE USE OF VERY CHEAP THIN STEEL MAY RESULT IN A ACCIDENT WHEN THE FRAME BREAKS IN HALF. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE REGARDLESS OF HOW OLD THE CAR IS THE FRAME SHOULD NEVER RUST THROUGH
Mileage: 200,000
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A TIRES. THESE TIRES ARE THE ABSOLUTE WORST TIRES I HAVE EVER OWNED IN MY 34 YEARS OF DRIVING! IN DRY CONDITIONS THEY ARE TOLERABLE BUT ONE CAN TELL THAT THEY'RE NOT STICKING WELL TO THE ROAD. WHEN IT RAINED SLIGHTLY IT BECOMES NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITH THESE TIRES. THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS AS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO DRIVE ON A SLICK ROADWAY ALMOST LIKE DRIVING ON OIL OR SIMILIAR TO DRIVING A RACE CAR ON SLICK TIRES TO DRIFT WITH.
Mileage: 156,000
ELECTRICAL UNDER DASH SHORTING OUT. CAUSING ACCESSORY PLUG TO SHOOT SPARKS AS WELL AS CAUSING DASH LIGHTS TO GO OUT, AND FRONT PANEL TO STOP WORKING. AC ELECTRICAL QUIT WORKING AFTER. 4WHEEL DRIVE SHIFTS RANDOMLY IN AND OUT OF 2 AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GET STUCK IN NEUTRAL. MOTOR SOLENOIDS AND SENSORS KEEP FAILING AND SHORTING OUT DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Mileage: 220,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.