Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train310
- Electrical system181
- Exterior lighting143
- Engine and engine cooling143
- Air bags102
- Fuel system, gasoline101
- Visibility100
- Seat belts48
- Service brakes, hydraulic44
- Steering42
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 98 injuries and 4 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 169 2002 Trailblazer vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 128 people died inside them, and 68 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer failed the safety check 2.50% of the time — 25% more often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 159,542 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In Finland
34 of these cars first registered in 2002 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 280,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 14.5–14.8 L/100 km (about 16 mpg US), CO₂ 334–340 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrailBlazer · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 16.7 | 11.8 | 14.5 |
| TrailBlazer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 17.1 | 12.0 | 14.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
12 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
| 2019420 21 Aug 2019 | Other Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempere… |
| 2004390 29 Oct 2004 | Lights And Instruments On certain 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 bec… |
| 2004158 10 May 2004 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles fail to conform to CMVSS 209, seat belt assemblies. These vehicles have a condition where one or two sensors in the driver's and front seat pas… |
| 2004088 9 Mar 2004 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the brake hoses are not labelled with a designation that identifies the manufacturer of the assembly as required by CMVSS 106. This non-co… |
| 2004045 4 Feb 2004 | Electrical On certain vehicles, water may seep into the windshield wiper module. If this were to happen, it could result in windshield wipers that will not turn on, cease… |
| 2003048 25 Feb 2003 | Powertrain Certain vehicles fail to conform to CMVSS 114 - Theft Protection. These vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to b… |
| 2002151 13 Aug 2002 | Airbag Certain vehicles may have a driver's side airbag inflator that could fracture at a weld during a deployment. Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure veh… |
| 2002070 1 May 2002 | Fuel System Certain vehicles may have a fuel filter fitting which becomes disconnected. This could result in a fire or engine stalling. Correction: Dealers will replace the… |
| 2001253 22 Oct 2001 | Powertrain Certain (4 wheel-drive) Trailblazer and GMC Envoy vehicle. The calibration of the active transfer case control module may cause insufficient high speed gear eng… |
| 2001252 22 Oct 2001 | Powertrain Certain sport utility vehicles Trailblazer and GMC Envoy (4 wheel-drive). The calibration of the automatic transfer case control module or a range shift collar… |
| 2001226 5 Sept 2001 | Powertrain Certain 4WD vehicles were built with a range shift collar in the transmission transfer case that contains cracks. This condition could result in a complete fra… |
| 2001098 19 Apr 2001 | Suspension On certain vehicles, either front lower control arm brackets may fracture, which could result in separation of the front lower control arm from the frame. This… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE MISSING WELDS ON THE REAR FLOOR PLAN.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Chevrolet told its dealers about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637390 | SUBJECT REGARDING RADIO SPEAKER NOISE WITH BRAKE APPLIED. *TT |
| 637300 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE SERVICE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE / ALL-WHELL DRIVE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED OR THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE / ALL-WHEEL DRIVE IS INOPERATIVE. *TT |
| 636634 | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTOR PROBLEMS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 U-VANS AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS. *TT |
| 636624 | PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL 02016 REGARDING A CONDITION WHERE A FUEL FILTER FITTING MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED. *TT |
| 636586 | INFORMATION ON INSTALLING ROOF RACK CROSSBOWS REVERSED TO REDUCE WIND NOISE. *TT |
| 636577 | SUBJECT REGARDING VEHICLES INCORRECTLY BUILT WITH LTZ BADGES ON THE B-PILLARS. *TT |
| 636540 | INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE UNDERHOOD UPPER RADIATOR SUPPORT BAFFLE OR BEAUTY COVER. *TT |
| 634999 | DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT |
| 634893 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE 4WD/AWD INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE SELECTOR SWITCH DO NOT WORK OR THE 4WD/AWD SYSTEM MAY BE INOPERATIVE. *TT |
| 634889 | CONCERNS WITH EXT AND XL MODELS EXHIBITING INOPERATIVE REAR HVAC CONTROLS AND / OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B0150. *TT |
| 634886 | CONCERNS WITH EXT AND XL MODELS EXHIBITING INOPERATIVE REAR HVAC CONTROLS AND / OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B0150. *TT |
| 634866 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON AN INTERMITTENT BOOMING, RUMBLING NOISE AND / OR DISTURBANCE HEARD IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TT |
| 634721 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHANGE TO FLYWHEEL TO CRANKSHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS. *TT |
| 634690 | INFORMATION PERTAINING TO REVISED HARMONIC BALANCER. *TT |
| 634678 | SUBJECT REGARDNG THE ADDITION OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE U1500 FOR GENERATION 4 ONSTAR. *TT |
| 634667 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE ASSIST STEP SKID PAD IS WARPED. *TT |
| 634663 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT AT TIMES ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER GAUGES ARE INOPERATIVE OR READ ZERO AT TIMES. *TT |
| 634583 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE HEADLINER SAGS AT THE REAR OF THE SUNROOF OPENING. *TT |
| 634571 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE ON-STAR MODULE COVER RETAINING TAB BREAKING. *TT |
| 634557 | SUBJECT REGARDING PROPER POSITION AND INSTALLATION OF ROOF RACK CROSS RAILS TO REDUCE WIND NOISE. *TT |
| 634554 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MEMORY MIRRORS MAY WANDER OR MAY NOT GO BACK TO A PREVIOUSLY SET POSITION. *TT |
| 634552 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE PAINT ON THE LIFTGATE AROUND THE EDGES OF THE LICENSE PLATE HOUSING OR POCKET APPEARS TO BE RUBBING THROUGH OR WEARING OFF. *TT |
| 634512 | SOME EXT OWNERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE EMBLEM ON THE REAR SIDE DOORS READS LTZ. *TT |
| 634314 | SOME CUSTOMES MAY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND / OR THE DOOR ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS MAY BE INOPERATIVE. *TT |
| 634312 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE FRONT FASCIA ON THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE LOOSE. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Headlights
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
2002 TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY FUEL TANK LEAKS
FUEL FILTER QUICK CONNECT FITTING
PINCHER/CHAFED WIRING
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation