RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Blazer

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
246
Latest Nov 6, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 21, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
20
19 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 246 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer, most frequently naming the brakes, exterior lighting and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 372 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

May 21, 2008
5,862 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.
The risk: THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH CARRIER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> . NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 01V364).
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 01073View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH

Dec 3, 2001
506,377 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH CARRIER. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002, WITH MAILINGS TO OWNERS OF 2000 AND EARLY 2001 VEHICLES. THE SECOND MAILING PHASE WILL BE TO REMAINING 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES. 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 01073View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ08001ClosedRecall Query

HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

Opened Feb 28, 2008
Closed Jul 9, 2008

ON NOVEMBER 30, 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL 01V-364 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 16, 1999 AND AUGUST 28, 2001 TO REMEDY A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH THAT WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF HAZARD AND STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION.THE HAZARD SWITCH IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE VEHICLE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON REPORTS THAT SOME CONSUMERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL OR THAT THEY HAD REPAIRS DONE UNDER 01V-364 BUT EXPERIENCED SUBSEQUENT MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURES.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH SUPPORTS THE OPERATION OF CRUISE CONTROL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND TURN SIGNALS IN ADDITION TO HAZARD AND STOP LAMPS. ON MAY 21, 2008, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT ERRONEOUSLY MISSED IDENTIFYING 5,862 VEHICLES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL 01V-364.GM WILL NOW NOTIFY OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES UNDER A NEW NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-231.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 17.THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF BRAKE LAMP FAILURE WAS A DESIGN CHANGE FROM COPPER TO BRASS CONTACT MATERIAL IN THE HAZARD SWITCH.THIS CHANGE WAS EFFECTIVE FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER SEPTEMBER 16, 1999.GM CHANGED THE MATERIAL BACK TO COPPER FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 28, 2001. THE REMEDY PART FOR BOTH 01V-364 AND 08V-231 CONTAINS COPPER CONTACTS.GM'S DATA SHOWS THAT LESS THAN 1% OF VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 01V-364 REQUIRED ADDITIONAL SUBSEQUENT REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD OR MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCHLed to recall 08V231000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Nov 6, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11553900
Incident
Oct 28, 2023
Engine
Filed Nov 26, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11376478
Incident
Nov 25, 2020
Mileage
268,104 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 20, 2020

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!!!

NHTSA ID
11318861
Incident
Mar 19, 2020
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes
Filed Nov 6, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11278381
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
128,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 26, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11235161
Incident
Jul 26, 2019
Mileage
37,450 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11076378
Incident
Mar 4, 2018
Mileage
98,760 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 27, 2017

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

NHTSA ID
10703663
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2017
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11018891
Incident
Aug 21, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

PIP4723J

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Blazer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100
2025261050.9
2024421055.9
2023412059.4
2022451056.6
20211251051.3
20202113059.0
20191832051.4
2009000
2008500
2007900
2006190040.5
2005150037.8
2004501039.7
2003771044.3
2002Viewing2462152.1
20013263259.2
20005894359.3
19994360144.1
19987163155.9
19977687261.7
19961,15311767.5
19951,22411867.5
19946207669.7
19935117570.0
19922786571.0
19912227870.4
1990324670.2
1989384570.5
1988404161.2
1987303362.5
1986192263.0
1985292264.4
1984933
1983443
1982130
1981130
1980110
1979110
1978110
1977210
1976110
1975010
1974020
1973110
1972010
1969010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.