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CarComplaints.com Notes: The Trailblazer emerged from an "upscale trim line" of the Blazer, but there's nothing upscale about its transmission problems or its wonky, unpredictable headlights.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,139 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments

problem #12

Jun 102005

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Two years ago the liftgate when closing would not lock and remote lock key fob failed to work. Dashlight indicated that tailgate was ajar and dome lights remained on. In the last year the controls on the driver' S door quit working. The power locks, windows, and side mirror controls did not work. Rear defroster will not work. No parts have been replaced because dealerships will not do it for free. I could not afford to fix this problem. Very frustrating.....first new vehicle, and it will be my one and only Chevrolet. I will no longer purchase from GM due to their lack of willingness to fix a problem that they were aware existed in many vehicles.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #11

Dec 272006

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer left low beam bulb stopped functioning. When I replaced it I found that the connector was black and melted. The replacement connector was significantly more robust.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #10

Jun 112006

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,129 miles
I was going down the highway. I stopped at a gas station for a cup of coffee with my sister and 3 year old daughter. When I went to put my daughter in the car I noticed smoke coming up from under the plastic part in the back seat on the door part. I saw something spark and took the casing off and then it sparked again and it flamed some everytime I blow it out it would spark again. I got the wires off the metal from the door and the one wire came apart. The plastic that is covering the wires was melted off and the tape that was over that was also melted off. I took it to the dealer in nazareth pa to get it looked at. They had to replace 4 wires and 3 fuses. It cost me $100 to fix. GM called me and said there was nothing they could do because I already had it fixed and that they said it was not that serious. I told him that if I didn't go get coffee and didn't notice the smoke it could have been worse then it was and that my 3 year old daughter was in the back seat. He said he was sorry but there was nothing that he could do and he was glad no one was hurt. The person that I talked to was joe garcia # 8667905700 ext. 21260 case # 1-415496321. It is not about the money having it fixed it was the point that they said it was nothing.

- Nazareth, PA, USA

problem #9

Nov 112005

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Tie rods, multiple transmission module problems, airbag, taillights, stop, turn signal rear problem, electrical/ wiring, radio, HVAC, pressure control,2 batteries, 2 fan clutches, among other problems.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #8

Jul 152005

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The radio randomly changes station while driving, sometimes repeatedly. Often it appears that this is related to turning as if something in the steering column is affecting this. This function is distracting to the driver.

- Oklahoma City, SC, USA

problem #7

Mar 012005

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer's 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer caught on fire two hours after the vehicle was parked. The consumer had complained about the steering wheel and the buttons being hot. The fire started in the front of the vehicle. The consumer believed that there was a wiring problem in the steering wheel where the cruise control, radio and other buttons were.

- Merion Station, PA, USA

problem #6

Jan 242001

Trailblazer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer and the electric mirrors are erratic - they won't hold their memory. I understand this is a big problem with Trailblazers. When you start car you do think to check mirrors everytime and it can be dangerous when you go to change lanes and realize that the mirrors have lots their memory. I have almost had numerous accidents due to this defect. I feel it should be a recall for Trailblazers as this problem has been reported by a significant amount of trailbazer owners.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #5

Sep 202004

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
2002 Trailblazer acted like transmission going out, took to dealer they upgraded computer. Front right low beam wired burned and melted, took to dealer they wanted to charge $250 plus labor for light assembly when all it needed was a piggy plug, bought plug at Napa and fixed myself. Never have had two back lights working at same time... cant take to dealer to get the recall work because it seems that these vehicles are using a "weak" oil pump and my Trailblazer has been in shop for last month or more waiting to be fixed. The weak oil pump caused damage to rod bearings, main bearings, and crankshaft. GM says out of warranty and my customer service specialist said "I'm sorry" about 10 times but she was still closing my folder and marking dissatisfied. She can't help me because I'm out of warranty. I hate this vehicle. I have found quite a few recalls but can't do most because its in the shop. I never got any recall notices.

- Longville, LA, USA

problem #4

Aug 142003

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle repeatedly switches into a 4 wheel drive (4WD) and 4WD modes on its own during normal 2wd operation. The dealer claims that the onboard computer recorded no such occurrences, and therefore is ignoring the problem. Numerous similar complaints filed on this NHTSA web site indicate that this is a widespread problem with the Trailblazer which mere replacement of the 2wd/4WD switcher module will not remedy. This fact--taken along with frequently burning out bulbs (running lights as well as brake lights)--suggest that a possible larger yet more fundamental electrical wiring problem is what's plaguing an otherwise excellent vehicle. This is truly a shame.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #3

Apr 062004

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,532 miles
While driving 40 mph, the engine light illuminated, then the vehicle stalled. This caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle, hitting a wall. The consumer had the vehicle towed. The dealership tried to repair the vehicle 7 times, but did not resolve the problem. The air bag also failed to deploy during the accident. The PCM failed due to a circuit inside, fluid leaked from the power steering hose, the engine revved high and was loud when the vehicle was started, the consumer saw sparks under the hood fuse block at the same time the gauges fluctuated and shorted, the right rear tail lights were inoperative, and the fuel gauge made a whirring sound when the vehicle was started.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #2

Apr 202004

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,010 miles
Right low beam headlight shorted and brief fire within headlamp.

- Salcha, AK, USA

problem #1

Jan 012004

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles
We have been having problems with the brake lights not working on our 2002 Chevy trail Blazer. We have been told from the dealership that we bought our vehicle from that there is no recall on this issue and that they are aware of problems with other Trailblazers with the same problem. We have been told that we have to buy new plates that hold the tail lights that put out lower power to the bulbs. The current plates that hold the brake lights constantly burn the cotacts in the bulbs. I have been told by the dealership that the new bulb holder plates are $70 each plus the labor. To me having no brake lights is a major safety hazard and you usually do not know when they are out unless you are notified by someone or you are pulled over by the police. We have also had similiar problems with the headlights but they last about a year before they need replaced. So much for quality in our craftsman ship for our american made vehicles.

- Central Point, OR, USA

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