2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Verdict
The 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer has 1,287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (347 complaints) and engine (323 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Trailblazer, consider the 2025 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer dashboard →
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 10
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 FRO...
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.
Remedy
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 1-800-63...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 PU...
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 PRESEN...
Remedy
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...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 CR...
Risk
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.
Remedy
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 RECE...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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, A...
Risk
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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.
Risk
IF THE GEAR IS NOT ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN "PARK" AND A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
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...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 CONTIN...
Risk
DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
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...
Reported Apr 2, 2004
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 THA...
Risk
THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.
Remedy
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...
Reported Jun 3, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE MISSING WELDS ON THE REAR FLOOR PLAN.
Risk
IN A CRASH, MISSING WELDS COULD DEGRADE PERFORMANCE OF THE THIRD ROW SEAT AND SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND OCCUPANTS COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.
Remedy
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 NOTIFICATIO...
Reported Apr 10, 2002
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 A...
Risk
A SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy
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. OWNE...
Reported Dec 4, 2001
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.
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...
Remedy
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 AGREE...
Reported May 9, 2001
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
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!
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
STRUT TOWER RUSTED THROUGH AND SHOT THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DISCOVERER HTP TIRES, SIZE: P275/45R20 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO FEEL THE VEHICLE SHAKE AND WOBBLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE WAS ABNORMAL AND APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN A DEFECT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PLACE WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TR CONSUMER STATED I FILED A SAFETY COMPLAINT FOR MY COOPER DISCOVERER H/T+ TIRES TODAY, 7/31/2019.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF DID NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE SUN ROOF IN OCTOBER OF 2010 BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,394.
BAD FUEL LEAK COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE, UNDER VEHICLE. MIDDLE OF VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS. PARKED ON STREET. BAD FUEL LEAKING.
1287 total