RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
100
Latest May 21, 2017
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.
5
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Apr 9, 2004

What this page shows

Our database holds 100 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 100 · page 1 of 4

Filed May 21, 2017

SMELLING GAS EVEN THOUGH NO GAS WAS SPILLED. THE CAR IS STATIONARY IN GARAGE. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO KEEP IN THE GARAGE AND I AM PARKING IT OUTSIDE. I AM ALSO WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
10990799
Incident
Apr 1, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 17, 2014

MY CHECK ENGINE TURNED ON INSIDE THE CAR IT WAS SMELLING LIKE GAS . I WENT TO A LOCAL SHOP THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ITS A FUEL TANK LEAK . ITS LEAKING RIGHT WERE THE FUEL GOES IN THE TANK . I CALLED CHEVROLET AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL . BUT I FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE ACTION #EAO7009. *TR

NHTSA ID
10564679
Incident
Feb 17, 2014
Mileage
117,150 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 15, 2013

THE WIPERS STOP HALF WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHEN IT IS RAINING. REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED OF THE WIPERS. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. MY DISABLED SON HAS TO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE. IT NEEDS TO BE SAFE AND GM COULD CARE LESS. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE. THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH ALL TRAILBLAZERS. GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS FACT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548004
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Mileage
72,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 13, 2013

OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DISPLAYING 50 DEGREES REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. WHEN ACTUAL TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING THIS REPRESENTS A HAZARD. WHEN TEMPERATURES ABOVE 50 DEGREES AIR CONDITIONING NOT RESPONSIVE (EVEN WHEN TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF 100 DEGREES, "HEATER" COMES ON DUE TO ERRONEOUS OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE READING). POOR FUEL MILEAGE RESULTS FROM INCORRECT AIR/FUEL MIXTURE AT ACTUAL AIR TEMPERATURES MORE THAN 20 DEGREES +/- 50 DEGREE SYSTEM TEMPERATURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535148
Incident
Feb 1, 2013
Mileage
65,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 19, 2013
Fire reported

PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY, LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, A FEW MINUTES LATER SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD AND IT SMELLED LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. POPPED HOOD AND FUSE BLOCK AND RELAY WE SMOKING AND MELTING! GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHED AND PULLED THE HEAD LIGHT RELAY SWITCH, BUT IT HAD MELTED THROUGH THE BLOCK!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10525761
Incident
Jul 18, 2013
Mileage
177,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 28, 2013
Fire reported

THE HEADLIGHT WIRING INSIDE OF THE LENS ASSEMBLY OVER HEATS AND MELTS THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR GOING TO THE BULB AND THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. HAD TO GO AND HAVE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING PLUS CONNECTOR REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522271
Incident
Jun 27, 2013
Mileage
128,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 19, 2011

LARGER OCCURRING ISSUES WHICH COULD EFFECT SAFETY INCLUDE THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY DECIDING TO CHANGE FROM 2WD/A4WD/4WDH4WDL WHENEVER IT WANTS TO UNDER VARIOUS WEATHER/ROAD CONDITIONS (INCLUDING PERFECT WEATHER AND ROAD SURFACE) AND OCCASIONAL RANDOM IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL ON IT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL RIGS LIKE THIS ONE COME IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE .. I BELIEVE THAT CHEVY GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND HAVE THIS FIXED BEFORE I OR SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED OR KILLED.. *TR

NHTSA ID
10392216
Incident
Mar 8, 2011
Mileage
130,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Feb 1, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEAR OUT OF PARK POSITION AND IT SHIFTED INTO A DIFFERENT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE GEAR SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE GEAR SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V075000, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE RECALL REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON-GOING FOR THE LAST YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ID
10379832
Incident
Jan 15, 2010
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 16, 2011

INTRUMENT PANEL QUITS FUNCTIONING AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND MAY START WORKING AT ANYTIME, ACCURACY IS QUESTIONABLE. THIS INCLUDES SPEEDOMETER, TEMPERATURE, CHARGING AND FUEL GAUGES. *LN

NHTSA ID
10376862
Incident
Dec 15, 2010
Mileage
19,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Aug 31, 2010

OUR 2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER MIRRORS WILL NOT RESET TO THE MEMORY POSITIONS. THE MIRRORS CHANGE POSITIONS BY THEMSELVES AND HAVE TO BE READJUSTED EVERYTIME THE CAR IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10352931
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
30,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 17, 2010

I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT WHICH HAS BEEN IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED BY ME. PRIOR TO GOING ON A VACATION I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO MY MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION AS USUAL AND HE INFORMED ME THE TRANSMISSION FUEL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. HE ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL WHICH PROMPTED CHEVROLET TO CHANGE THE DESIGN. HE CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS ON A RECALL LIST BUT WAS NOT. I CHECKED THE NHTSA SITE AND HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WITH GM AND PLACED ON A RECALL LIST FOR REPLACEMENT BY A DEALERSHIP? *TR

NHTSA ID
10350109
Incident
Aug 16, 2010
Mileage
155,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 25, 2010

2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CLAIM THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED AND WILL NOT BE FIXED AGAIN MY THING IS IF IT IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE WIPERS NOT FIXED THEN THEY SHOULD BE FIXED UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED WE HAVE TO RIDE AROUND WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING OR DRIVE ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE WE CANT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED OURSELVES I CALLED CHEVROLET AND THEY SAID TO BAD IT WAS UP TO US ONLY ONE RECALL. CAN YOU HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM OR WILL THIS CONTINUE TO GO UNNOTICED THANK YOU SO MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10340171
Incident
Sep 1, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 12, 2010

OUR 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LOSES POWER AND THE TROUBLE LIGHTS FLASH INCLUDING THE SERVICE LIGHT AND REDUCED POWER LIGHT COME ON. I HAVE CHANGED THE 02 SENSOR, FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND HAD THE EMISSION SYSTEM CHECKED ALL TO NO AVAIL. OUR MECHANIC CANNOT ISOLATE THE PROBLEM AND ALL THINGS WE HAVE TRIED HAS FAILED. WE HAVE RESET THE COMPUTER SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE HAD NO HELP FROM GM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10330061
Incident
Apr 1, 2010
Mileage
100,004 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 22, 2010

NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE, FOUND OUT A CRACK IN THE TANK AROUND THE TUBE CONNECTING THE HOSE COMING FROM THE FILLER NECK, QUITE DANGEROUS IT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, ASK GM AND THE HAVE A SAFETY POLICY ADJUSTMENT, BUT IT EXPIRES WHEN THE CAR IS 7 YEARS OLD OR 70000 MILES, THERE ARE MANY MANY CASES LIKE THIS SO THIS MUST BE A RECALL ISSUE AT MY POINT OF VIEW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326990
Incident
Sep 10, 2009
Mileage
75,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 22, 2010

I PURCHASED A USED 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VIN# [XXX] AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS WILL NOT TURN ON AND CEASED OPERATION WHILE IN USE. (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM) THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON 2/4/2004 RECALL ID #69922 I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 7/2004 FOR A SEAL ASSEMBLY AND THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THEY COULD DO. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS THE INFORMATION BELOW WAS POSTED IN THE RECALL AD: 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. CONSEQUENCE DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HOW CAN CHEVROLET GET AWAY WITH SELLING A PRODUCT WITH KNOWN DEFECTS AND NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR INSURING THAT THESE DEFECTS ARE PROPERLY FIXED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10326969
Incident
Mar 13, 2010
Mileage
123,000 mi
Filed Mar 23, 2010

2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. SPEEDOMETER STICKS AND REMAINS AT LAST KNOWN SPEED OR STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY. ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE IS TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF AND RESTART.

NHTSA ID
10321579
Incident
Mar 13, 2010
Mileage
114,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 13, 2010

THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WING FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10319451
Incident
Dec 4, 2009
Mileage
43,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2009

FUEL LEAK AND HEAVY FUEL FUMES WITH GAS TANK/ASSEMBLY LEAK ON 2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10294284
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2009

MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I AM WRITING TODAY REGARDING THE ENGINE THAT HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. THERE WERE MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING; AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS, BACK TAIL LIGHTS ETC. THE ENGINE FAILED, AND WAS REPLACED BEFORE 32K MILES AND AGAIN AT 72K. NOW ON THE THIRD TIME, THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! WHEN WE CONTACTED GM INC. THEY ASKED US TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THERE LOCAL SHOP. THE SHOP TOOK THE VEHICLE APART AND DECIDED PER GM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH IS INFORMATION GM KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE SHELLING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR A LEMON PRODUCT THEY MADE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS SUV. AS I REMEMBER MY TAX DOLLARS BAILED THEM OUT AND HELP GM STAY AFLOAT! I AM NOT ASKING FOR MUCH. I PAID CASH $26,544 FOR THIS GM PRODUCT. THEY GOT PAID AND THE ONLY THING I GOT IS PAIN FROM AN SUV THAT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE START. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX A TRUCK I ALREADY PAID FOR AND MAINTAINED AS THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED. AFTER WORKING 30 YEARS, I HAVE FALLEN ILL AND NOW I AM ON A FIXED INCOME. I AM ONLY ASKING FOR MY SUV TO BE FIXED BY GM BECAUSE THEY KNOW THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. TO ADD, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I NEED MY VEHICLE, ITS MY TRANSPORTATION TO THE DOCTOR. I THOUGHT I HAD A RELIABLE SUV THAT WOULD LAST ME. GM YOU ARE WRONG FOR SELLING A DISABLED WOMEN A LEMON WITH PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE THEN REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! HONOR YOUR PRODUCT. EVEN WAL-MART TAKE BACK DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. CAR COMPANIES SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT. SHAME SHAME SHAME GM!!!!!! P.S. THEY STILL HAVE MY TRUCK AT THE LOCAL SHOP. NO ONE WILL RETURN MY CALLS!! SHAME *TR

NHTSA ID
10290306
Incident
Oct 13, 2009
Mileage
36,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 23, 2009

THE FUEL TANK ON MY VEHICLE HAS LEAKED OR HAD AN EVAP LEAK DETECTED AND HAD NEEDED A REPLACEMENT 4 TIMES IN 7 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. FIRST REPLACEMENT AT 2288 MILES ON10/04/02, THEN 18474 MILES ON 10/17/03, THEN 34782 MILES ON 08/21/04 AND 96121 MILES ON 01/21/09.THE CAR DEALERSHIP HAS COMPLETED THE REPLACEMENTS EACH TIME AND WERE PREVIOUSLY COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT IS NOW NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN AT $1000 EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10285061
Incident
Oct 4, 2002
Mileage
2,288 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 20, 2009

LEAKING TRANSMISSION HOSES DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION DUE TO POOR DESIGN ON 2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284671
Incident
Sep 19, 2009
Mileage
142,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 16, 2009

THERE IS RUST ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF MY ENGINE, TWO EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS RUSTED OFF AND I HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK. I HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED SO I TOOK IT INTO A CHEVROLET DEALER. WHILE IT WAS THERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE GAS TANK HAD A CRACK IN IT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF OVER 700.00 DOLLARS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THE MANIFOLD AND TANK FIXED. NOW I AM FACED WITH EITHER EXHAUST LEAKING OR GAS LEAKING. THEY SAID THE GAS TANK WAS CRACKED AT THE NECK. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS TO STATE THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. GM CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD THEM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD SHAPE AND THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF MISUSE OR NEGLECT. GM CALLED ME BACK AND STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A VEHICLE GAS TANK CRACKING FOR NO REASON UNLESS THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE GAS TANK ITSELF. THE TANK IS PLASTIC AND THE NECK IS ALSO PLASTIC, IT IS ALL ONE PIECE. I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN I HAVE TO FIND A REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO TELL IF THERE IS A LEAK IS IF THE TANK IS FULL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284217
Incident
Sep 15, 2009
Mileage
91,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 24, 2009

BAD GAS TANK, CRACKED NECK, BAD GAS CAP CAUSING STATE INSPECTION FAILURE AND SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME.. *TR

NHTSA ID
10281587
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 29, 2009

WHILE DRIVING ON VACATION AT APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME DESTINATION, THERE WAS A POP NOISE THAT WAS HEARD BY ALL. KEPT DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SPOILER ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE POPPED OFF AND WAS HANGING DOWN. TRIED TO PUT BACK ON, BUT WOULD NOT GO. TOOK IT THE REST OF THE WAY OFF, CONTINUED ON OUR TRIP. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME, WE TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP, WHICH THE GUY TOLD US THAT WE WERE THE SIXTH PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE FIXING IT FOR US FOR A FEE. WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED A "RECALL" SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 1 OF THE SAME SITUATION IN THE SAME AREA AS US. *TR

NHTSA ID
10278674
Incident
Jul 26, 2009
Mileage
73,252 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Jul 18, 2009

2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL COME ON ALONG WITH THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN 40 MPH. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT GO MORE THAN 20 AND 10 MPH. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND CHANGED SOME FILTERS AND 2 DAYS LATER....THE SAME LIGHTS COME ON AND THE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS SO THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DO THIS AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CONTROL ARMS IN 2001 THAT AFFECTED THE 2002 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I PURCHASED MY TRAILBLAZER IN 2002 SO I DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY RECALL INFORMATION. MY CONTROL ARMS NEED TO BE REPLACED AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10277257
Incident
Feb 1, 2009
Mileage
85,000 mi

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.

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