2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 100 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2017
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2014
“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”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2013
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 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”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2013
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 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”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 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”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ALONG THE LOWER PART OF THE ROCKER PANEL TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF CORROSIVE MATERIAL, AND INSPECT THE REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCHES. FUNCTIONAL LATCHES WILL BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. NON-FUNCTIONING LATCHES WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
ON 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
CERTAIN 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AND BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Trailblazer Ext by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext reliable?
NHTSA has 100 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,500 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.