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EnginePart report

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Engine Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
1%of 1,149 total for the year
Median mileage
143,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 1% of the 1,149 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 143,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“I was attempting to brake at 60mph. As the vehicle slowed it suddenly accelerated despite my applying the brakes as hard as I could. Finally, I was able to stop by shifting into neutral while still braking hard. I stopped just inches from the stopped vehicle in front of me. This was a harrowing few moments and if I had been unable to stop or slowdown the result could have been tragic. My guess is that this is an issue with some sort of electronic accelerator assist or some computer problem which has to do with engine speed or braking.”

NHTSA complaint #10822334, filed 2016-01, 181,000 miles

“I was driving home one night from work on a back road in south carolina going 35mph when my headlights shut off and the car completly stalled, I quickly turned on my hazard lights on to warn the oncoming traffic the car that was coming up on me had to swerve into the grass because the area was so dark he didnt see my hazard lights until he got close to me. This isnt the first time this has happen there really should be a recall on these 2002 trail blazer because this is not safe at all im worried my child will be in the truck with me and it happens again.”

NHTSA complaint #10618737, filed 2014-08, 27,300 miles

“While highway driving with cruise control engaged I heard a loud whining sound and experienced a sudden loss of power. I was almost hit from behind several times before I could get the vehicle over into the right lane. When I took the vehicle to my mechanic I was told the cooling fan clutch assemble had failed. I have had this fan replaced three times now and am not at all pleased that this vehicle has not been recalled for this problem. I have read that this is a common problem on this vehicle that can cause a severe accident. I have receipts for the repairs but have no way to upload them.”

NHTSA complaint #10870570, filed 2016-05, 112,000 miles

“I was coming to a stop light my brakes did not want to work , then they did. I stopped my vehicle, my lights in my dash went out within a few seconds smoke started to roll from under my hood and cover my windshield. I immediately got out of the vehicle, and called 911. The vehicle was not running at this time, it stopped running. A bystander stopped to assist, he looked from the passenger front tire view and stated he seen flames that appeared to be blue. He wanted to lift the hood but I advised him not to do so, due to my job training I knew oxygen promotes fire. …”

NHTSA complaint #10592856, filed 2014-05, 176,920 miles

“I was driving my '02 chevy Trailblazer on the interstate. The vehicle slipped and fishtailed a bit and I pressed the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop. When the vehicle came to a stop, I tried to accelerate forward, but it would not move. The vehicle had not turned off on its own. I manually shut off the engine and restarted the vehicle and proceeded to move onto the shoulder of the interstate. I then noticed smoke and a small flame coming from under the hood near the front passenger tire/wheelhouse. The flames got bigger and soon it spread to the entire engine. …”

NHTSA complaint #10576191, filed 2014-04, 139,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026542%
2025312%
2024925%
20231723%
20221715%
20213819%
200927%
20082111%
2007223%
2006434%
2005302%
2004161%
2003152%
2002171%

Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Transmission and drivetrain
310 complaints
Electrical system
181 complaints
Engine cooling
143 complaints
Exterior lighting
143 complaints
Fuel system
132 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
106 complaints
Air bags
102 complaints
Brakes
55 complaints
Seat belts
48 complaints
Steering
42 complaints
Body and structure
40 complaints
Other or unknown
36 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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