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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Chevrolet TrailblazerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 1,277 owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Most complaints involve power train (335) and electrical system (199). The EPA rates it 16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
13campaigns
Latest Mar 2006
Owner complaints
1,277
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

13 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Mar 21, 2006NHTSA 06E025000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Nov 1, 2004NHTSA 04V527000

Seat belts

Free remedy

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 WILL LOCK WHEN THE BELT WEBBING IS EXTRACTED DURING A CRASH; HOWEVER, THE MECHANISM THAT LOCKS THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATES QUICKLY, SUCH AS HEAVY BRAKING, MAY NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED.

Seat beltsReported Apr 28, 2004NHTSA 04V201000
See all 13 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,277 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2001 – Mar 2025
  1. Power train335
  2. Electrical system199
  3. Exterior lighting159
  4. Engine and engine cooling158
  5. Fuel system, gasoline125
  6. Visibility110
  7. Air bags106
  8. Seat belts49
  9. Steering46

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Trailblazer model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20021,277
20031,266
20041,368
20051,734
20061,347
2007782
2008195
200928
2021201
2022113
202375
202436
202527
202612
Crashes reported
110
Fires reported
39
Injuries reported
102
Deaths reported
4
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

335 reports8 crashes5 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST IN THE TRANSMISSION LINE AND FLUID LEAKED ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2020Power trainODI 11297999

Electrical system

199 reports9 crashes22 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SOLENOID WHICH HE BELIEVED REPAIRED THE ISSUE. SOON AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT FUSES AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CIRCUIT BOARD HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS FAILED TO FIX THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURES TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V096000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 04V527000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT CALLED CORWIN MOTORS KALISPELL (2565 US-93, KALISPELL, MT 59901, (406) 755-5555) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 247,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2021Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11415169

Exterior lighting

159 reports2 crashes8 fires
“CHEVROLET DEALER BEGAN RECALL REPAIRS BUT GM FILED BANKRUPTCY AND DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR CITING INABILITY TO GET PAID BY GM FOR RECALL, RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO ME UNREPAIRED. NEXT DEALER SAID RECORDS SHOWED REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THEY WERE NOT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11194474
All 2002 Trailblazer problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
TrailBlazer 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
TrailBlazer 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
  • TrailBlazer 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • TrailBlazer 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4473
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Trailblazer questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?

13 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.

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems?

Owners filed 1,277 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (335), electrical system (199), exterior lighting (159). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer at 16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026