Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
While driving I noticed a burning smell outside of my vehicle but assumed it was coming from the area around me not my car. When I got to my destination I noticed smoke coming from under the left side of the hood and above the drivers side tire. I raised my hood and noticed smoke coming from around my fuse box. I had the car towed and have been told by my mechanic my fuse box and wiring harness burned. He also stated there could be other damaged related to this fire. The mechanic also asked if I had problems out of my headlights because the problem seemed to have started with the headlights. I have researched this since being given this information and electrical problems seem have been a problem with trailblazers. I found several instances on this site and also online related to electrical problems on the trailblazers. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with air conditioner activated, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had replaced the crankshaft solenoid which he believed repaired the issue. Soon after the initial repair, the contact stated that the driver's side tail light and instrument panel failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that he replaced the tail light fuses and instrument panel circuit board however, the repairs failed to fix the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failures to NHTSA campaign number: 03V096000 (electrical system) and 04V527000 (exterior lighting). The contact called corwin motors kalispell (2565 us-93, kalispell, mt 59901, [phone]) and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact took the vehicle to the repair shop for routine maintenance, in which the passenger side headlamp was replaced. Two weeks after the repair, the passenger side headlamp failed. She took the vehicle back to the repair shop and they inspected the headlight and concluded that the wiring melted. The contact then called the dealer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 06e025000 (exterior lighting:headlights) and was informed that her VIN was excluded from the VIN range. She would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 89,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While operating the vehicle, all the exterior lights randomly shut on and off. While driving at various speeds, the transmission would suddenly switch to first gear and caused the speed to suddenly reduce. The vehicle would not operate in reverse. After shutting the vehicle off and restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 171,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the brake light overheated and caused the bulb socket to melt. The contact replaced the bake light socket assembly himself but the failure was not corrected and the brake light failed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 125,000.
Both right and left low beam headlights stopped working as of 10/27/2016. The amber turn signal indicators seem to work sporadically. As of now, the vehicle can only be driven safely during the day. Early morning darkness and the earlier onset of sunset make driving hazardous. The vehicle was not in motion at the time this was discovered, but before leaving to make a school drop-off. The high beam lamps and fog lamps work when activated. The r and l head light fuses are intact.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. In December of 2007, the headlights stopped working. The contact discovered burnt plastic and he replaced the socket and the bulbs. On September 30, 2008, the failure recurred. The dealer diagnosed the failure as electrical; however, they could not locate the failure code. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving at a low speed, the contact was informed by another driver that the tail lights were not working. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V527000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 133,982.
I purchased a used 2002 Chevy Trailblazer,(with the loan company and car lot) ,I could not get the loan without having the car sales company put an anti-theft device in,when they did that,all of the features stopped working,.not able to lock,open with remote,seat-belt and airbag light stay on etc etc etc diagnoses (body control module $950.00. Currently using the vehicle.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat May cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb May flicker and eventually become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on November 22, 2004.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV.
Brake lamp failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation on model year (my) 2002-04 Chevrolet trailblazer vehicles.GM reports that other vehicles sharing this platform and brake lamp design are the my 2002-2004 Chevrolet trailblazer ext; GMC envoy, xl, xuv; Oldsmobile bravada and 2004 Buick rainier.complaints allege that the rear brake lamp does not operate when the brake pedal is depressed.there is no…
Brake lamp failure
GM states that some brake/tail lamp bulbs can prematurely become inoperative due to malfunctioning brake/tail lamp sockets.on March 2, 2004, GM initiated a 6-year/72,000 mile special policy for 989,487 subject vehicles to inspect and replace the rear brake/tail lamp bulb socket assemblies.on April 4, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-032) based on consumer…
Headlight complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 144 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 13% of the model year's 1,149 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (65 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-527 (brake lights, Nov 1, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 6 fires and 1 injury to lights 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.