2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 310about this part
- Share
- 27%of 1,149 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 310 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 27% of the 1,149 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I started the Trailblazer and shifted it into reverse to back out of the parking stall and I heard a loud pop sound and when I tried to give the vehicle gas it didn't do anything but rev the motor. It won't move in reverse gear. The vehicle in front of me moved and I was able to shift into drive gear and it would move but it wouldn't shift from first gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10682091, filed 2015-02, 153,000 miles“When I start my vehicle, the ABS and brakes lights go on, security light, and radio shuts off, or is on with no sound, the 4 wheel drive light flashes back and fourth between 4 wheel and 2 wheel drive, engine shuts off, while driving, then turns back on, this is the same problem all the recalled GM cars are having why is the 2002 Trailblazer not part of the recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10616449, filed 2014-07, 145,000 miles“I have had multiple issues with my 2002 chevy Trailblazer where the 4x4 selector switch will not work, or while driving at highway speeds the vehicle will be put into four wheel drive while the selector switch is still turned on two wheel drive. The selector switch at times has not worked when I wanted to make the vehicle go into four wheel drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #10444922, filed 2012-01, 30,000 miles“We just left the house to take the kids to get so food and we made it like fifty yards from the house and the tranny made a popping sound and so we stopped and tried to go and it wont move either way so I pull it back to the house and I start it up and the tranny is whining and I put it in reverse nothing happens so I put it in drive and it goes forward but wont shift.”
NHTSA complaint #10505016, filed 2013-03, 162,417 miles“First the left side of my temperature control lighting went out, a week later I got a steady service engine soon light, it then went out after a few minutes, it then stayed steady for a period of 2 days, then went out. Then 3 days later my indicator light above my 4-wheel drive control went out, I attempted to change the fuse, then got a service four-wheel drive warning.”
NHTSA complaint #10374865, filed 2011-01, 79,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V075000Mar 6, 2003Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are…Covers: Chevrolet Trailblazer 2002–2003, Oldsmobile Bravada 2002–2003, GMC Envoy 2002–2003 +1 more
- 01V334000Oct 17, 2001Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The calibration of the transfer case control module could cause insufficient high…Covers: Chevrolet Trailblazer 2002, GMC Envoy 2002
- 01V283000Sep 5, 2001Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles (4 wheel-drive). Some of these vehicles were built with a range shift collar in the transmission transfer case…Covers: Chevrolet Trailblazer 2002, GMC Envoy 2002
Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10143757Jul 9, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician thatLight Duty Trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and 4 wheel drive may exhibit a condition of…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 6 | 23% |
| 2024 | 8 | 22% |
| 2023 | 10 | 13% |
| 2022 | 35 | 31% |
| 2021 | 41 | 21% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 5% |
| 2007 | 15 | 2% |
| 2006 | 50 | 5% |
| 2005 | 51 | 3% |
| 2004 | 62 | 6% |
| 2003 | 103 | 11% |
| 2002 | 310 | 27% |
| 2001 | 5 | 25% |
| 2000 | 5 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
181 complaintsEngine cooling
143 complaintsExterior lighting
143 complaintsFuel system
132 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
106 complaintsAir bags
102 complaintsBrakes
55 complaintsSeat belts
48 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsEquipment
34 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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