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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2002 Chevrolet Blazer Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
33about this part
Share
13%of 246 total for the year
Median mileage
40,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer, 13% of the 246 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My 2002 chevy Blazer will no longer shift into 4-wheel drive. It has been this way for over a year now, and chevy won't even acknowledge my communications about it.”

NHTSA complaint #10248272, filed 2008-11, 125,000 miles

“I have a 2002 Blazer. Since I have owned the vehicle it has performed unsatisfactorily. The engine randomly makes roaring noise, the rpms rise and there is concomitant loss of power. I am told this is normal and that it is related to the fan clutch motor and a sensor that works erratically. The fan clutch has been replaced once and the vehicle has been in the shop several times. I have been involved in several near misses as the vehicle does not perform in a predictable manner. …”

NHTSA complaint #10025141, filed 2003-06, 120 miles

“No warning signs. Just put my 2002 Blazer in reverse, heard a loud pop. Wasn't sure what happened, so I got out on the road and couldn't accelerate fast enough up a hill and almost got rearended by a car going 60-65 MPH. Pulled over and finally figured out that it wouldn't shift out of 2nd and I had no reverse. Called local chevy dealer and he immediately knew what had broken. (something called the sun shell casing or sun gear, I think). I only have 50k miles on that car and now have been told they wont just replace the part, they have to replace the entire tranny.”

NHTSA complaint #10128723, filed 2005-07, 51,000 miles

“Not long after I purchased my 2002 Blazer, I started noticing that at random times the motor would start racing when I started the engine. It ran very loud for a period of time and then would finally slow down. While driving the vehicle this would also happen. The rpms rapidly increase when accelerating, and it would make a loud roaring noise, but the vehicle doesn't go any faster. I took it in to the shop and was told this was normal, that it was the clutch fan. It is extremely hard to believe that this is normal for a new vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10032951, filed 2003-08, 200 miles

“Drove from ohio to florida, 1040 miles. 250 miles into the trip, my console became extremely hot. The side of the console touches the drivers seat and it was making my seat very hot. The items inside my console melted, the hand wash burnt my hand when I took it out to use it. Now the console is getting hot only after 50 miles and sometimes less than that. Also, the cd player gets hot. The cd's occasionally become so hot that I drop them when they get spit out by the player by itself. I have no idea what the problem is and I am worried my Blazer may catch fire or blow up. …”

NHTSA complaint #10132271, filed 2005-08, 69,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024815%
20231023%
20221222%
20211913%
20207533%
20196434%
200448%
20031216%
20023313%
20013110%
20008414%
19995412%
19987410%
199711014%
1996968%
1995686%
1994122%
1993194%
199231%
199184%
199039%
198913%
198825%
1987413%
198615%
1985414%

Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer

Exterior lighting
54 complaints
Brakes
23 complaints
Fuel system
22 complaints
Electrical system
21 complaints
Engine cooling
20 complaints
Air bags
17 complaints
Suspension
16 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaints
Steering
14 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Seat belts
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology