Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
I was driving on the highway going 65mph which is the legal speed limit. I got cut off by a driver and light tapped my brakes to slow the vehicle down. When I did so the vehicle then swerved to the left and started drifting sideways directly to a wall. I went head on with the wall. Then I bounced back across all lanes of traffic again still sideways and drifting hitting another wall. Which is where the vehicle ended at the stopping point of the accident. No airbags deployed in the accident. The driver behind me who witness the crash stated that the vehicle started to loose traction before I hit my brakes and me hitting my brakes caused the vehicle to them loose full control. I was in the process of buying this vehicle from Gresham Ford in Oregon. I was told the vehicle was 100% road safe and passed safety inspections. Which is false.
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. We got away from the vehicle, saint albans fire arrived on scene, the flames were out by the time they arrived, the car continues to smoke. The vehicle was moved to a lot, the key was put in the ignition by the fire department the dash lights did not work even with just turning the battery on. …
Recently bought a car that I believe they are illegally passing the inspections on. They proclaimed that fixed a major part to keep the tires on my car tie rods and cv axel. Just short time after it looked like the part was never replaced just tightened up and shortly after we had all kinds of issues with the brakes and anything that keeps the car driveing safely the brakes went out on me so I called to see what they did and why they never fixed it the berry next day they repo the car as if they are trying to hide and cover up the scams they have on people my kids are in that car daily it should be never passed the inspection we have had to pay for most of that. …
In my 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, at approximately five MPH, approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and after slowing down to approximately one MPH, the vehicle continued to roll thru the stop sign, across 4 lanes of traffic and finally came to a stop when it hit the curb on the opposite side of the intersection. The vehicle was subsequently hit by a large truck. There were no injuries. Had it not been for the curb, the vehicle would not have stopped. After having the vehicle towed to the nearest Chevy service facility, the service manager told me that this was an inherent behavior with anti-lock brake systems. I tend to agree with him as my 2000 Chevy silverado had demonstrated the same behavior. There were no apparent leaks in the system and the master cyclinder was full. …
Well serviced 90K miles. Traveling at 35mph pushed breaks all the way down (fracturing right ankle) slowed me down but failed to stop at upcoming red light. Struck medium size vehicle injuring other driver and causing considerable damage to both vehicles. Chevy dealer collision/service center estimated $8K in repairs. In other words it costs more to repair it than what the vehicle is worth. Also:"master cylinder is bad" and air bags did not deploy. Chevy tech. Said "impact was not big enough" . After reading some eight other complaints very similar to this . I am concerned about driving this or getting into another one. Is there not a break light service sensor that I should have noted.? Service manual for scheduled maintenance says to check front and rear axle fluid and add fluid as needed every 5K to 7K miles after 67.5K miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving at approximately 5 MPH and coming to a stop, the vehicle traveled from one side of the road to the other side. The contact attempted to control the steering wheel, but found it difficult to manuever. Also, while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle accelerated, crossed over a railroad track, and crashed into an iron fence and a telephone pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the right knee and whiplash that required medical attention. In addition, the passenger sustained bruises, whiplash, and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Driving with my 5 yr old son and my car just turned off in the middle of driving causing brakes to lock and steering wheel to lock, crashing into an abandon truck. I contacted general motors regarding and was told that my car is not on their current recall list although the problems are similar to those of all the recalls currently associated to the recalls. I was also told that bc no one was injured and my car was not very damaged they can not do anything because it is not a mechanical problem, if either of the above would have happen then it would have been their fault. What that tells me is that I need to drive me car and if that happens again a god forbid that was to happen again and myself or my children are severely injured they will then address the matter.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop or slow down. The contact then depressed the brake pedal with maximum pressure and the brakes locked. The vehicle pulled to the right. The contact let up on the brake pedal, but the vehicle would still not stop. It locked up and pulled to the left onto its side and rolled completely over. The vehicle landed on its four flat tires. The vehicle was destroyed and the contact sustained injuries to his neck, shoulder, and back. He also suffered memory loss. The current and failure mileages were 107,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that she is the second owner of this vehicle. In 2006, the vehicle was repaired according to a recall for the brake light sensor. While driving various speeds, both of the brake lights failed. She took her vehicle to the dealer in July of 2007 and was informed that the brake light sensor board was fried. Since the repair was previously performed in 2006, the dealer will not repair it again. The contact would be responsible for the repair. The failure mileage was 79,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond without warning. As a result, the vehicle skidded and flipped over several times. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck, back, and left arm injuries that required medical attention. A police report was failed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact was referred to the manufacturer.
Brake complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 5% of the model year's 1,149 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 34% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 3 fires and 9 injuries to brakes 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.