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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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,658 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 222007

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,200 miles

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

When switching from 4 wheel to 2 wheel drive the transmission would occasionally disengage causing the vehicle to roll when parked, or disengage while driving.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #9

Mar 122007

Trailblazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles
I own a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer lt. At 56,000 miles I had to have the transmission rebuilt. Then on March 12 2007 I took my car into the dealership to get the four wheel drive switch fixed because it was stuck in auto 4X4 after spending very close to a $1,000. We are now having the same problem again. Front wheels stuck in AWD while the rear wheels are stuck in 2wd.

- White Lake, MI, USA

problem #8

Nov 112005

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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 #7

Apr 192005

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

Noises coming from underneath the SUV, check engine light constantly came on and one night I was going around 55 mph my 15 yr old daughter, we heard a loud pop it sound like we had hit something in the road so I stop to see what it was, we saw nothing but the squeaking sound from under the SUV got louder some day later jumped in the car started the car and there was that loud sound again only this time the SUV would not move in reverse I could hear some spinning like noise so I took it to a shop and I was told that the transmission was striped out in reverse, and that some shaft had broken or something, the mechanic also told me that he had several people come in with the same problem the same model Trailblazer 2002 what hurt me so bad is this was my first brand new car, I only had it for two years, and if I every buy another car it want be from GM, I also had problems with my tailgate lamps, windshield wipers, steering column.

- Water Valley, MS, USA

problem #6

Dec 062004

Trailblazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
2002 trail Blazer 4-wd broke. Took to dealership and they told me I need a new transfer case module for $400 ( vehicle not under warranty) I have used the 4WD maybe 4 times. Noticed a lot of other people on the web with similar 4WD problems. Called GM and they basically said too bad and maybe there would be a recall someday in future. Also, after I left the dealership the "service 4WD"light on the dash was lit up. Was not lit before so I am not sure how long it was broke- I only noticed it wasnt working when I tried to use it 2 weeks ago.

- Ray, MI, USA

problem #5

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 #4

Mar 152004

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

This is my third complaint in 3 months. This morning, I shifted from 2hi to 4hi due to ice, snow and slippery conditions. I stopped at a shop and shut off my engine. I returned, started the vehicle and pulled into the street. The lights on the transfer case dial went black and the vehicle reverted to 2hi. This is the 3rd time in three months that this has happened. My local dealer has been very good at trying to identify the problem, however, GM itself is of little assistance beyond "hoping" that nothing more serious happens. The reat question is whether the NHTSA will now do anything as a result of the numerous complaints on its webpage.

- Huron, SD, USA

problem #3

Dec 312003

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer -- while attempting to shift from 2hi to 4hi due to slippery road conditions the lights on the transfer case select switch flashed as usual. However, rather than remaining illuminated in 4hi, all the lights went out and the transfer to 4hi was not completed. The vehicle remained in 2hi. Turning off the vehicle and re-starting did not remedy the situation. On January 2, 2004 a Chevrolet computer technican attached a computer under the dash, but could not get a reading. The technican opened the engine compartment fuse block and removed and checked the automatic shift lock control system fuse [MINIfuse 25]. whether he merely put it back or replaced it I do not know. However, after doing so, he worked some more on the computer and got the system re-set so it could be used. A subsequent check by my local dealer could not identify the source of the problem, but the did charge for re-programing the computer.

- Huron, SD, USA

problem #2

Jul 282003

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,200 miles
Transmission does not upshift. Engine at 3000 RPM will not go over 10 - 12 mph. This will last from 1/4 to a mile. No power. Have taken to dealer, says that GM knows of problem. Regional represntative george bell does not return calls. No help from GM.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1

Mar 212003

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,643 miles
4 wheel drive failure light on dash board and "4 wheel drive full" and "4 wheel drive low" light keep flashing and when I placed truck in park and shut off truck, it lunged backward. Gas tank wouldn't take gas and the last time it spit gas out and out onto pavement. Brakes don't seem to stop very well and I now have a pulsating feeling under my foot when I brake.

- Linden, NJ, USA

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