Print this page

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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,391 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #44

Sep 012010

Trailblazer

  • 93,000 miles

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

Car idle would go crazy at stop signs and rd lights. During take off idle would plunge and car would stall or come very close to stalling. Took it to dealer and they could not fix it since no codes showed up on computer. I took it to another shop and the problem was the throttle body and cam position sensor.

- Streamwood, IL, USA

problem #43

Aug 242010

Trailblazer

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle would exhibit an unusually loud hissing sound when driving any speed. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the fan clutch would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 85,000.

- Milford, OH, USA

problem #42

May 042010

Trailblazer

  • 150,247 miles
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer ltz - oil pressure low light comes on and pressure gauge goes from 40 to 0 when vehicle is idling.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #41

Nov 252008

Trailblazer 4WD

  • 122,035 miles

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

1. transfer case seized - 4WD failure while driving 2. fan clutch failure - vehicle does not operate properly in a number of ways.

- Markham, 00, USA

problem #40

Sep 042008

Trailblazer

  • 86,193 miles
Ses light on. Brought to local repair shop and dealer, which both verified a P0304 code indicating a misfire on cyl 4. I decided to change spark plugs and found water in the upper cylinder around the spark plug and the spark plug coil from cyl 4 was corroded. Replaced plugs and cleaned coil as best I could. I found a tsb indicating that this is known problem and dealers are told to install a seal to stop water from draining on to the engine. I called Chevy customer service but the refused to cover the install or the repair.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

problem #39

Apr 042008

Trailblazer

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that her engine has been ticking and making whining noises during acceleration, and performing very poorly. The service engine soon light illuminated intermittently. The contact took her vehicle to her local mechanic and they stated that the engine needed to be repaired. She was able to locate a dealer's special policy related to service bulletin number 060603. The dealer and the manufacturer informed her that a diagnostic would be needed to determine the cause of the failure, which would cost approximately $2,800. The contact stated that she takes her vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance as specified by the manufacturer. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 72,000 and current mileage was 75,000.

- Webster, NY, USA

problem #38

Dec 192007

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

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

To GM service assistance, our 2002 Chevy Trailblazer is at connell Chevrolet in costa mesa, ca having a new engine installed at a cost to us of approximately $7,000. The vehicle has 82,000 miles. We have been without the use of the vehicle since December 19 when it became inoperable going down our street. The only sign of trouble was a massive amount of steam coming out of the exhaust pipe. The heat sensor malfunctioned ($7000 malfunction). There were no warning lights, no bells, no alarms, no indications of any trouble...and then...nothing. My husband had the car towed that night to connell Chevrolet. On December 27th we visited connell to get the full story. Apparently the head gasket blew again (see attachment 1), and since the heat sensor wasn't working properly, the engine overheated and blew (again, no sign of any trouble before this incident). Now we are without a car and have a $7,000 repair bill. No one I know has ever heard of two head gaskets going on a vehicle of this age and mileage. The first gasket went at 39,000 and the second at 82,000 miles....hmmmm. To us that indicates that there is a defect in this vehicle, and we want to know how you are going to assist us.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #37

Jul 032007

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,500 miles
I own a 2002 Trailblazer that stalled for no apparent reason. I did not understand it because one day it will stall at every single red light or stop sign and then the next day it will be fine. When I start to slow down at a stop sign or such the needle in the RPM gauge goes nuts and the vehicle starts to kind of buck a little and then idles really low or it will rev itself up to about 3000 RPM. So when I get to the stop it just shuts off, no lights come on in the instrument panel or nothing. Most times I just put it in park, turn the key to the off position and then start it back up. Runs normal then, well maybe until the next stop. Only one other time did I go to start it back up and it wouldn't start but only for a second and then it did start. Also, it revved while I wa S just driving normally. It has had numerous other problems so when I took it to the Chevrolet dealer I purchased it from for another problem as well as me telling them about this, they had overnight, said they took it for a drive and nothing happened, which I told them that it doesn't happen every time you stop or every day. They also said since no service engine lights or anything came on they couldn't tell what the problem is when they put it on the diagnostic machine. So I have no clue what to do but to keep driving it and maybe someone will rearend me because it stalls in the middle of the highway. I feel half afraid to drive it anymore.

- Sunbury, PA, USA

problem #36

Jul 202006

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,829 miles
There is a loud roaring sound from under the hood. (sounds like a jet engine.) vehicle dealer says that vehicle has a bad cooling fan clutch and that the related computer software needs reprogramming. This loud noise problem used to only happen when the vehicle was cold and would go away after about a half mile. Vehicle appears not to shift properly (automatic transmission) and the vehicle does not accelerate well while this loud sound is present. Sometimes now the problem occurs when the vehicle is warmed-up. The loud noise goes away after a short while.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

problem #35

May 302006

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission does not shift smoothly and the vehicles seems to "skip" when driving, had checked and was told the transmission needs servicing. Also, several times the car has jumped from 2wd to 4WD on its own, while being driven. Thankfully only when going approximately 10 - 15 mph. Now the service 4WD light is on. Fuel filter needs replacing. Oxygen sensor needs replacing. This car is a 2002 with 71,000 miles.

- Lincolnton, NC, USA

problem #34

Dec 012003

Trailblazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer was involved in an accident as a result of the rear tail light being inoperative. The consumer's vehicle was rear ended while he was slowing down in traffic. This SUV had other failures to include the windshield wipers, engine(6 times), battery (2 times), dash board, head light and various electrical problems.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #33

Sep 012005

Trailblazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,990 miles
Loud roaring noise - service engine soon light appeared - took it to the dealership - fan clutch needs to be replaced on my 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #32

Aug 012005

Trailblazer

  • miles
Have had many of the problems I read on posted complaints: New engine required within nine months-one year of owning new vehicle, inside driver door panel replaced three times, change oil and service engine lights staying on, hood not closing properly, back glass needing replacement, fabric problems in back seat, etc., etc. And this morning it is a $200 problem with the headlight switch. Too many things to even remember or name, but Chevy has a pretty thick file on me and my vehicle.

- Hewitt, TX, USA

problem #31

Aug 202004

Trailblazer 4WD

  • 25,848 miles
Re defective 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4, problem with 4 wheel drive, A/C, batteries, taillights and electrical problems. While driving 55 mph the vehicle's 4-wheel drive went into four wheel high or low intermittently. The vehicle's battery loses it's charge. The taillights went out and the blower in the air conditioner had to be replaced. Fuel splashed out of the filler while the consumer was filling the tank. The vehicle stalled intermittently.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

problem #30

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 #29

Sep 102004

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,456 miles
Engine slippage, then started making a knocking noise. We took it to a private mechanic that informed us of a recall notice by General Motors on the cylinder sleeve and that the VIN of our 2002 Trailblazer fell within the parameters of the recall notice. We had the vehicle towed to the dealership, who informed us that the tie rod went through the engine block. We are in the process of having a new engine installed. General Motors will only pay for 30% of the repairs even though the engine has been well cared for, has 60,000 miles on it and mechanics have stated that the cylinder sleeve may have contributed to the problem.

- Arcadia, IN, USA

problem #28

Jul 302002

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
Engine stalls ; engine hesitates; engine trembles.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #27

Jul 192003

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles
Vehicle constantly displays "service engine lamp", air bag module had a problem, rear brake lamps blew out, 4 wheel drive mechanism on dash was replaced, ignition never turned off all the way, killed battery because it drained battery.

- Fair Lawn, NJ, USA

problem #26

Jul 302004

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
2002 Trailblazer. Engine stalls while at low engine RPM. With it in park can hit the gas and rpms will go down below 500 then recover. Has actually died once. Almost died while pulling into a parking spot. Almost died when coming to a quick stop at light. At first thought it only occured with the ac on but have declared it to do same with the ac off but not as bad. Noticed several complaints of same issue here and on edmunds.com. Ours hasn't stalled at highway speeds but I fear it won't be long before it does and my wife is the primary driver and is now pregnant with our second child. Vehicle has been to dealer at least three times for this issue. GM needs to put us (all Trailblazer owners) in a safe vehicle and diagnose problem nationally before someone is killed.

- Denison, TX, USA

problem #25

Jun 152004

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
While driving 40 mph steering pulley failed. Vehicle lost power. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The vehicle switches itself into 4-wheel drive while the manual switch is in 2-wheel drive. The taillights failed. At new computer had to be installed. The rack and pinion needs to be replaced.

- Charleston, WV, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?