Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Problems with air bag dash light, fast engine idle, air conditioner, rear hatch inner strap broke, etc... The airbag light was intermittent. The sir module was replaced, and there was poor terminal connection at the sir wiring harness, and was traced/repaired on the left side impact connector and the codes were cleared. The engine idled fast(especially at start up, and the fuel mileage was 13 mpg. The results of the evaluation and repairs were: passenger impact connector was loose(repositioned/connected), idle within specifics, the emblem had fallen off, the rear hatch inner strap had broken, the transmission seemed to take long to shift into gear(happened sometimes when cold), and the PCM needed to be reprogrammed(j6355 power train controller PCM). …
When I touch the buttons on my radio they get very very hot. Their is a long list of things wrong with this 2002 Chevy trail blazer. But when I contacted Chevy they told my that my SUV is not one of the ones affected? Their is a noise in the front and the right side of the truck seems lower, like a shock is broken? The rear windshield wiper never worked. The air conditioning only work on the highest level ( 5 ). The rear tailgate never locks when you hit the power locks. The tape player starts on its own, and will blow a fuse causing an electrical smell. The day I bought the 2002 Chevy trail blazer the head gasket blew and the dealership replaced it with a used head gasket. This SUV has alot of issues and is getting unsafe to drive. I have tried to have Chevrolet address these issues but they wont fix anything without me paying for them. …
Electronic exterior rearview mirrors and power seat engage and operate by themselves. Dealership cannot fix the problem. The memory for the mirrors and seat would not keep their position. When the consumer entered or exited the vehicle the systems would reset to a new position. Occasionally they moved while the vehicle was in motion. The dealer has replaced many components but the problem still exist. The check engine light illuminated. The dealer replaced the oxygen sensor. The A/C control mode button became stuck and was noisy. The dealer replaced the A/C module head. The left windshield wiper chattered and skipped. The dealer replaced the wiper insert. The 4wd switch fluctuated between 4wh and a4wh. The dealer inspected the vehicle and replaced the transfer case select switch.
The vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The dealer was unable to determine cause of problem. The vehicle periodically shut off while in the idle position. The vehicle was delivered to the service department on several occasions to have the problem identified and corrected. As of 07/07/2003, the vehicle continued to have problems with loss of power and the service dept. Has yet to determine the problem. The air condition developed a foul odor which was present after the vehicle sat in the sun, the odor was detected immediately after the vehicle was started and the ac was turned on, the vehicle was serviced times and then the problem returned, the air condition now takes a long period of time to cool the vehicle and produce cold air.
I brought this SUV from the dealership and I started having problems with it a month after I brought it. The car air conditioner stop working and the transmission was making a horrible sound. I took the car to the dealer to get fixed three times. All the times I took the car it came back the same way that I took at first. I also took it to a different dealer to get fixed and they also didn't fixed it. I want to cancel this SUV purchase. Mainly because even before t brought the SUV the salesperson at the dealer added $5,000 to my income so I could qualify to get the SUV, but that was completely a lie. Right now I'm having many problems at work; that's the main reason I want to cancel the purchase of this SUV, which is just giving me many problems.
Upon a cross country drive with my 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer - the seat warmer kept turning itself on. I was unable to turn it off. Kept trying. Given that it was a Sunday and we were driving from arizona to wisconsin for the holidays, we needed to keep moving. The seat got so hot I needed to put a folded blanket down to be abe to sit on it. Eventually - it failed. It got so hot it burned a brown spot into the leather seat and completely burned a hole through the interior seat material. This should be investigated as a fuse or something else should have failed before it got that hot.
Re defective 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4x4, problem with 4 wheel drive, A/C, batteries, taillights and electrical problems. While driving 55 MPH the vehicle's 4-wheel drive went into four wheel high or low intermittently. The vehicle's battery loses it's charge. The taillights went out and the blower in the air conditioner had to be replaced. Fuel splashed out of the filler while the consumer was filling the tank. The vehicle stalled intermittently.
A/C initially operates normally. Outside temp display then begins decreasing. When displayed temp passes +25 deg.f, A/C no longer produces cold air. Outside temp display continues dropping to -34 deg.f. After ~5 minutes, outside temp display starts rising. When temp display passes +25 deg.f, A/C starts producing cold air again. Outside temp display reaches correct outside temp. Occurs intermittently (I.e., once or twice a day -- or not).
Dt: rear defroster was looked at while still under warranty and consumer was told it was alright, but when consumer used it, it would not work. Now vehicle is out of warranty and consumer was told, by the dealer, consumer would have to pay for it. Manufacturer said to talk to zone man who stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and it is consumer's problem.
A/C is running OK then, it starts blowing warm air. Outside temp display drops quickly until it reaches +28 deg.f. (note that outside temp is +85 deg.f.) outside temp display starts rising slowly. When crosses +30 deg.f, A/C starts blowing cold air again. Outside temp display then sticks at +50 deg.f and does not go any higher.
AC & Heater complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2% of the model year's 1,149 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though it has 12 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to a/c & heater problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.