Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Noticed a strong gas odor coming from the vehicle. In November 2015 we received a letter from Chevy telling us that "fuel tank inlet check valve" could fracture. We took it to a dealership & we were told it was the case with our Trailblazer. We have not been able to get the tank replaced. In December they supposedly ordered the part, it is now almost May & still no part. I have tried contacting Chevy directly & no one is willing to help. They keep putting me off, saying they can't find the part etc. Then telling me it will be here following month. They are just giving me the run around, and also their famous thing is to say well, it's a 2002 so we don't have parts. This is covered under a warranty. I called Chevy today & when the "senior advisor" told me the part would be there in May, I asked where he came up with that information he hung up on me. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving the vehicle with passengers inside, the smell of fuel vapors were so overwhelming that the vehicle had to be stopped and the passenger had to be escorted in a new vehicle to the destination. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to a Chevrolet dealer who diagnosed that there was corrosion of the return and sender lines of the fuel pump module and they needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 8/21/15 the consumer stated there was a recall for this part in 2012, but it expired. Therefore, the manufacturer would not cover any expenses for the repair. Updated 12/1/2015
While driving 40 MPH, the engine light illuminated, then the vehicle stalled. This caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle, hitting a wall. The consumer had the vehicle towed. The dealership tried to repair the vehicle 7 times, but did not resolve the problem. The air bag also failed to deploy during the accident. The PCM failed due to a circuit inside, fluid leaked from the power steering hose, the engine revved high and was loud when the vehicle was started, the consumer saw sparks under the hood fuse block at the same time the gauges fluctuated and shorted, the right rear tail lights were inoperative, and the fuel gauge made a whirring sound when the vehicle was started.
Hello, our 2002 Chevy Trailblazer smells inside the car of gasoline. We have to put the windows down in the winter as well as the other season, just to drive the car. My wife gets sick because of the smell. Every time will fill the car or close to empty, the whole car smells with gas fumes. It is very bad and very dangerous. We have tried to get the dealership to fix the problem (in 2017) with the fuel recall, but to no is the answer. This is a serious problem and I don't live in a salt belt region. Thank you for your time! Help! [redacted] '
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer ls. The contact smelled gasoline fumes from the rear of the vehicle. A pool of gasoline was discovered underneath the vehicle. On March 12, 2007 the contact located an open investigation on the NHTSA website action # pe07013 regarding fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. The dealer stated that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced, and will take three to four hours to pull the gas tank, and $700.00 for the repair. The contact stated that this was a safety problem because the vehicle could catch on fire. The current and failure mileages were 107,758.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal fuel odor emitted from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle and noticed fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The contact also stated that upon further inspection, it was discovered that the fuel pump was corroded and fractured. The vehicle was repaired but the details were unknown. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the transmission shifted out of gear and the anti-theft lock and battery warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also mentioned that the fuel gauge displayed an inaccurate reading when the fuel tank was full. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the vehicle had an abnormal fuel odor. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to murand Chevrolet where the technician diagnosed that the odor was not coming from the fuel pump. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000. Updated 07/18/17
Received special coverage program 14423 that stated problems with the fuel tank inlet check valve could occur. I have fuel odors, fuel leaks, service engine soon and reduced engine power lights coming on while driving. Mileage is 180,000 miles and a fuel tank should not be a problem at any time, but GM will not provide any compensation.
Our 2002 chev Trailblazer smells of gasoline. The whole car smells with gas fumes inside as well as outside. This could be a dangerous situation. Thanks for any help! [redacted] '
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain sport utility vehicles, a fuel filter fitting can become disconnected. If this were to occur while attempting to start the engine, a no-start condition would result and fuel would be pumped out the fuel filter onto the ground.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filter quick connect retainers. Owner notification began September 20, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
NHTSA investigations
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
Odi has received reports that the fuel pump module leaks fuel and or vapor underneath the vehicle.GM states, the failure mechanism is corrosion of the fuel pump module flange which May lead to a fuel leak.corrosion of the fuel pump module flange is the result of the vehicle operating in a corrosive environment.odi has upgraded this pe to engineering analysis (ea07-009) to further assess this issue.
2002 trailblazer/envoy fuel tank leaks
See attached report.
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
During the course of this ea investigation, odi observed that the majority of the complaints (88%) and warranty claims (94%) were reported for vehicles that are registered for use in the salt belt region of the us.this area includes 20 states in the northeast, mid atlantic and the midwest regions and the district of columbia.consumers in the salt belt region reported to odi that they could smell fuel vapors in their…
Fuel System complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 132 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 11% of the model year's 1,149 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-121 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Aug 23, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries and 2 deaths to fuel & propulsion system 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.