Model year
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
NHTSA lists 12 recalls and 1,149 complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 3 recalls and 106 complaints under TRAILBLAZER EXT and TRAILBLAZER EXT 370. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (163), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (120), POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) (66). NHTSA lists 10 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,200–$4,450, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2002 1,149 complaints
- 2003 901 complaints
- 2004 1,081 complaints
- 2005 1,466 complaints
- 2006 1,108 complaints
- 2007 732 complaints
- 2008 193 complaints
- 2009 27 complaints
- 2021 196 complaints
- 2022 112 complaints
- 2023 73 complaints
- 2024 35 complaints
- 2025 25 complaints
- 2026 12 complaints
Recalls
04V527000 · Nov 1, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
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.
04V201000 · Apr 28, 2004
SEAT BELTS
CERTAIN 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…
04V046000 · Feb 4, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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…
03V250000 · Jul 15, 2003
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
CERTAIN 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…
03V096000 · Mar 19, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CERTAIN 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…
03V075000 · Mar 6, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CERTAIN 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…
02V273000 · Oct 4, 2002
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE MISSING WELDS ON THE REAR FLOOR PLAN.
02V121000 · Aug 23, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON 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.
02V222000 · Aug 9, 2002
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CERTAIN 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.
01V334000 · Oct 17, 2001
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE CALIBRATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT HIGH SPEED GEAR ENGAGEMENT.
2 more recalls are in the NHTSA file for this name and are not listed here. Campaign numbers above link to NHTSA.
Complaints
1,149 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 103, fire flag on 35, injury field 98, deaths field 4. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| TRAILBLAZER EXT | 3 | 100 |
| TRAILBLAZER EXT 370 | 0 | 6 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE02036 | PINCHER/CHAFED WIRING · STEERING | Mar 18, 2002 | Oct 3, 2002 |
| RQ02010 | FUEL FILTER QUICK CONNECT FITTING · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES | Jul 19, 2002 | Nov 21, 2002 |
| PE02093 | 2002 TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY FUEL TANK LEAKS · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | Dec 17, 2002 | Apr 9, 2003 |
| PE03042 | WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | Sep 17, 2003 | Jan 6, 2004 |
| EA04002 | WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | Jan 6, 2004 | Feb 10, 2004 |
| PE04032 | BRAKE LAMP FAILURE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | Apr 6, 2004 | Aug 3, 2004 |
4 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrailBlazer 2WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 2WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| TrailBlazer 4WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 4WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.