2002 Chevrolet TRAILBLAZER EXT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
100 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
64,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 85 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 100 complaints (18.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 20.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 20 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 12.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 9.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 18 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 18; Electrical System: 12; Fuel System, Gasoline: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 6; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2007 | 19 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2004: 8; 2005: 17; 2006: 18; 2007: 19; 2008: 10; 2009: 11; 2010: 8; 2011: 3; 2013: 4; 2014: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 20 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 20 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10114692 · 2005-03-24 (March 24, 2005)
SMALL "CLUNKING" NOISE FROM UNDER VEHICLE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. "CLUNKING ALSO EVIDENT WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. ULTIMATE TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE ACCELLERATING FROM A STOP. A VERY LOUD "CLUNCK" WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD WIRRING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR AFTERWARDS UNTIL ABOUT 40 MPH. THE "WIRRING" NOISE CONTINUED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER'S MECHANIC OVERHAULED THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE FOL…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,439 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128173 · 2005-07-09 (July 9, 2005)
MY TRANSMISSION WENT IN JANUARY OF 2005. IT IS NOW JULY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAD TO FIGHT WITH THE DEALERSHIP THEN BECAUSE I ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS AND I AM FIGHTING WITH THEM AGAIN. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WON'T SHIF OUT OF 1ST AND IT WON'T GO IN REVERSE AND THE LOUD NOISE IS HORRIBLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086215 · 2004-08-05 (August 5, 2004)
I OWN A 2002 TRAIL BLAZER EXT. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND I HAVE HAD MANY MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. I FINALLY HAVE HAD IT AND DECIDED TO SEE IF THE INTERNET REPORTED ANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND TO MY AMAZEMENT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT HERE IS MY STORY. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED, MOLDING AROUND THE LICENSE PLATE FRAME REPAIRED, OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED, SWAY BARS REPLACED, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS REPLACED, LEFT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR BROKE TWICE, GAS TANK REPLAC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140261 · 2005-10-19 (October 19, 2005)
AFTER SMELLING GAS FUMES AND HAVING THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LAMP ILLUMINATED, I TOOK MY 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT TO MY MECHANIC FOR SERVICE. THE ATTACHMENT FROM THE FUEL FILLER LINE AND THE GAS TANK WAS LOOSE. HE RELAYED THAT CHEVY WAS HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS. AFTER PURSUING THIS WITH GM, I FOUND A SPECIAL POLICY # 05012. GM WILL FIX THE PROBLEM ON VEHICLES WITH UP TO 70,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS 72,000 MILES. GM REFUSES TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065856 · 2004-04-09 (April 9, 2004)
THIS PROBLEM CONCERNS A REPEATED LIGHTING SYSTEMS FAILURE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT WHEN I HAD THE BRAKES ON WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THAT BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT TAIL STOP LAMPS WERE NOT LIT ALTHOUGH THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP DID LIGHT TO INDICATE THE BRAKES WERE ON. I HAD HAD TO HAVE BOTH OF THESE LAMPS REPLACED ONLY ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO WHEN THEY BOTH BURNED OUT WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, PERHAPS SIMULTANEOUSLY AS THEY MIGHT HAVE LAST WEEK. AFTER THE INCIDENT LAST WEEK I PUT I…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065862 · 2004-04-09 (April 9, 2004)
BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY FAIL IN MY 2002 TRAILBLAZER. THE DEALER REPLACED THEM A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE I WAS HAVING OTHER CHEAP MADE INFERIOR PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS THE CONTACTS IN THE BULB SOCKET ARE TO FAR APART AND DO NOT MAKE A SECURE CONNECTION WITH THE BULB CONTACTS AND ALSO DO NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL GREASE IN THEM TO PROTECT AGAINST MOISTURE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10065862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220802 · 2008-03-11 (March 11, 2008)
BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME NOT FROM WEAR HARDLY USED THEM MAKES TO MUCH NOISE. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING HUB LOCKED IN WON'T COME OUT. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH RADIO, DASH LIGHTS, HEATED SEATS JUST TO NAME A FEW. IDLE NOT RIGHT STALLS OUT WHILE IN PARK SOMETIMES. NOTHING FIXED YET HAVE TO SAVE MONEY BECAUSE COST TO MUCH TO GO TO DEALER,IT COSTS A 100.00 JUST TO HAVE THEM HOOK UP TO MACHINE AND THEN IT SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG BUT ALL THIS IS WRONG ,IT DOES NOT COMPUTE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10220802 at NHTSA ↗