Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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).
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact swerved to avoid another vehicle and crashed into a median facing oncoming traffic. The vehicle flipped over eight times and landed in a ditch on the opposite side of the highway. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. A police report was filed. The contact passed out and received injuries to the head, neck, back, and shoulder. Medical attention was required. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V201000 (seat belts). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
1. My drivers side window and door lock is shorted out and wont operate at all. While driving causing the window to remain down during a rain storm and impeding my visibility. I see they have recalls on other years for this exact same problem. 2. My seat belt cathes really tight and wont release casusing me pain. 3. My headlights regular beams keep coming loose and blowing out.ive had to fix this three times and I have only owned the vehicle for a week. Twice during driving at night once I am not sure when it blew. 4. The front suspension is having problems and I believe May be a recall issue. It makes loud noise like its cracking or breaking, while driving.
Dt: on black top with no shoulders, the eye witness states: got close to the right shoulder and over corrected and went off the left shoulder, the vehicle flipped and went into a steep ditch and rolled about 5 times, came down on drivers side rear tail light first time, when stopped rolling on the passenger side. Consumer was hanging by the seat belt. The lap belt held but shoulder harness did not. The consumer hit multiple things inside the cab of the vehicle. Consumer suffered several injuries.
While stopping at a light consumer's vehicle was rear ended and pushed head on into another vehicle. Upon impact, the dual airbags deployed. However. Passenger's side seat belt did not hold. As a result the passenger hit her head on the dashboard. Vehicle was considered a total loss.
I have owned my Chevy Trailblazer since October 16, 2004. I am the second owner of the vehicle. I purchased this vehicle 6 months after a safety recall was issued on the seat belts on the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. I have recently had a problem with the driver side seat belt it has extracted and will not retract. I took it to crystal Chevrolet in crystal river florida for them to try and determine the problem. They have determined that it is the mechanisms inside the seat belt retractor. They told me that the system showed that the recall had already been done on this vehicle based on my VIN number. I was told that there was nothing that they would do for me unless I wanted to pay them 325.00 to repair it. …
#1. On 2 occasions last week, my Trailblazer suddenly lost most of its power, and the engine light reduced engine power came on! I pulled over, cut the car off, then restarted it, and was able to drive home. #2. The seat belts on the front passenger and rear right sides lock up tightly the moment you buckle up. It locks up so tightly that you cannot move if you wanted. These problems showed while driving on miami streets. #3. On 2 or 3 occasions a strong smell of gasoline came into the car while driving. The smell seemed to be coming from inside the back of the car, but I was unable to locate any gasoline back there. On another occasion, I smelled gas outside in the area of gas tank.
Normal usage of front seat passenger seat belt. While using the belt in a normal way, the retractors will lock in a retracting mode and will not allow any movement of the passenger. Belt must be released, fully retracted and re attached for a comfortable ride. Trips to the dealer and hearing about "the design of the belt to do this when fully extended" have not prevented the recurrence of this scenario. It cannot be demonstrated on demand and because of that the dealer stated he cannot look into something he cannot witness. The problem is infrequent but does happen non-the-less.
It appears the truck is suffering from a major computer defect. With all fuses in tact, many functions no longer work (remote access, radio functions after ignition turn off, automatic volume increase on radio when accelerating). Additionally, the 4x4 torque converter switch does not light up and appears to be nonfunctional, the airconditioning quits and after alleged repair, stays on all the time regardless if set to air or vent, the rear hatch is defective and can't be opened, the tail lights have burnt out three times and two headlighrs have burnt out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the front passenger seat belt would not retract. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that repairs associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 04V201000 (seat belts) were already performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 65,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact noticed that the front passenger side seat belt locked and it would not release regardless of weather the brakes were applied which made it difficult for the passenger to release the seat belt when exiting the vehicle. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 65000.
Related recalls
Seat belts
Certain light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." one of the two sensors in the driver's and front passenger's seat belt retractors could be inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver and front passenger safety belt retractors, and replace them if necessary. Owner notification began on June 24, 2004.
Seat Belt complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the seat belts of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 4% of the model year's 1,149 complaints. The component named most often is front › retractor (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-201 (seat belts, Apr 28, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to seat belts 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.