Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationOne of the worst Trailblazer years.
One of the Chevrolet Trailblazer years to avoid. All Trailblazer years
2,575 owner complaints, most about power train. 14 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Trailblazer?The 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer has 2575 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 14 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag fuel economy is poor, commonly reported around 15-21 mpg.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Trailblazer years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the Trailblazer?
Across the 16 Trailblazer model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2014) to 3,437 (2005). With 2,575 complaints, the 2002 Trailblazer sits above the model's median of 193.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 Trailblazer
exterior lighting:brake lights
Campaign 04V527000ON 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.
power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Campaign 01V334000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE CALIBRATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT HIGH SPEED GEAR ENGAGEMENT.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 06E025000CERTAIN 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 THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Campaign 01V283000VEHICLE 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.
Show 10 more recalls
visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Campaign 04V046000CERTAIN 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.
equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Campaign 03V250000CERTAIN 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.
electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash
Campaign 03V096000CERTAIN 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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 02V121000ON 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.
suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Campaign 01V126000VEHICLE 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.
structure:body
Campaign 02V273000CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE MISSING WELDS ON THE REAR FLOOR PLAN.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 02V222000CERTAIN 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
Campaign 03V075000CERTAIN 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.
seat belts
Campaign 04V201000CERTAIN 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.
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 05V494000CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCH THAT MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SPLASH, SUCH AS WATER AND ROAD SALT. THESE VEHICLES WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
What owners report on the 1st generation Trailblazer
Owners of the 2001-2009 Trailblazer largely regard it as a durable, truck-based SUV whose 4.2L inline-six is its standout feature, frequently described as reliable, stout, and capable of reaching 200,000-300,000 miles with basic maintenance.
- Very frequentFuel economy is poor, commonly reported around 15-21 mpg
- RecurrentElectrical and interior issues including failing window regulators
Door locks that lock but won't unlock, blown speakers, and trim pieces that won't stay attached.
- RecurrentInstrument cluster and fuel gauge failures
With fuel gauges described as wonky and common in early 2000s GM vehicles.
- RecurrentBlend door actuator failures causing HVAC directional problems
- RecurrentWheel bearing and hub assembly failures, with ABS sensor integrated into the hub raising cost
Owner insights for the 1st generation Trailblazer. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Trailblazer listings typically run $18,397–$21,784.
Other Trailblazer model years
Compare every Trailblazer year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Trailblazer against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy