NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 259 owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (56) and power train (35). The EPA rates it 14–17 mpg combined.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 5,862 MY 2000-2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER, MY 2000-2001 GMC JIMMY, AND MY 2000 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Blazer model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,161 |
| 1997 | 774 |
| 1998 | 734 |
| 1999 | 442 |
| 2000 | 600 |
| 2001 | 331 |
| 2002 | 259 |
| 2003 | 104 |
| 2004 | 50 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2019 | 190 |
| 2020 | 224 |
| 2021 | 142 |
| 2022 | 55 |
| 2023 | 44 |
| 2024 | 133 |
| 2025 | 56 |
| 2026 | 1 |
“MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. AS I OWED A 2001 GMC JIMMY THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL I KNEW THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS THE PROBLEM. I WENT TO MY LOCAL CHEV DEALERSHIP (KOEHNE CHEV) IN MARINETTE WI. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ONE MY VEHICLE. I ASKED ABOUT THE THREE TSB AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH A TSB. I KNOW THIS IS A ONGOING AND A SAFETY ISSUE (NO BRAKE LIGHTS). THE PART NUMBER ON THE SWITCH THAT I TOOK OUT IS 26096832. THERE HAS TO BE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLES WITH THESE SWITCHES IN THEM WITH THE POTENTIAL FATAL ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN!!!”
“2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FLEX PLATE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLEX PLATE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 11/27/2017*JS”
“The Blazer is showing many codes in the ECM, even though it seems to be running properly. The codes include: p0171, p0174, p0101, p0128, p0155, p0300, p1870, p0128, p0155. The dash recently showed warning lights for parking brake, ABS, and Service Engine soon. It was checked a few days ago by a local repair shop. Two previous recalls showed multifunction switch failures which affected many vehicles.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blazer 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Blazer 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Blazer 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Blazer 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 259 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (56), power train (35), electrical system (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer at 14–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).