Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle independently veered to the left which resulted in brief control loss of the vehicle and crashed into a barrier. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. There was one injury which required medical attention. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
My family and self were returning from a same day trip when with out warning, our 2002 Chevy Trailblazer ls steering locked up and it left me with no control of the vehicle, I've driven in all kinds of conditions without incident or accident but on this day I could not avoid going off the road into a ditch. Thank god my family was just shaken up badly but no personal injuries I however did smack my head on steering wheel and am currently being seen by family doctor we love this vehicle and just purchased it not two weeks ago. The reason for this grievance is simply that when contacting service department were we purchased said vehicle, was treated as if we made up the whole thing and accused of driver error, called liars, and basically treated with total indifference to a situation were things could have been a terrible loss of life, please assist my family and I in getting this …
It was drizzling that morning. I was driving in the far right lane. When all of a sudden my steering wheel was taking over my driving. My truck went left into another lane on its on. I saw another vehicle coming up in that left lane. All I could do was ask my truck what was wrong. And I started talking to the lord. Please don't let me hit this truck. Please help me. Next thing I was pulled back to the right hand lane and then off the road I went. I went through the woods over stomps and bumps. And then crashed into a huge tree. I fainted.I heard someone yelling. I opened my eyes to life. The police came out. And the ambulance. Thank god I'm not to cool for a safe belt. Cause my airbags didn't deploy. I was told they May deploy at anytime so I needed to get out of truck. My seatbelt left its print on my neck and chest. The truck was crushed in. …
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.
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.
Unknown reason loss of control of vehicle. Vehicle inadvertently went to the right side of road, vehicle rolled over several times. My brother was ejected and vehicle rolled over on him. No airbags had deployed.
Had noticed that the steering wheel felt as if there was too much "play" like it was "wobbly" especially if driving over a raised bump in the roadways: the steering wheel would "give" too much. This had also been noticed by another person who recently drove vehicle for a short distance. I had planned on getting the vehicle's undercarriage inspected on June 8th to confirm whether there was cause for alarm. Unfortunately, the accident occurred on June 2nd. This accident was unforeseen .... It did not involve another vehicle, the speed was not a high rate of speed, yet when it appeared that the steering was unable to be controlled, I was driving east in the right lane of a two lane roadway, (the opposite two lane traffic is divided by an esplanade). The vehicle veered into left corresponding lane, striking the edge of the esplanade curb with the front left drivers tire. …
I bought the 2002 Trailblazer on February 2008 drove it for about a month and a half total the rest of the time it has been back to the dealership for repairs. Everything including the motor needed to be replaced, the transmission needs to be replaced just accelerated onto the gas heard a loud crack and the truck shook like an earthquake had hit, lost acceleration would not go any faster than 30-35 miles an hour and car would not disengage from neutral at first and the would not go into reverse., brakes have made a pulsation feeling and they were done days before I bought the vehicle and replaced again including rotors a month after I bought the vehicle, there have been too many crackling and metallic tinging noises that don't go away, the 4 wheel drive engages and disengages on it's own when driving 65-70 miles an hour. …
First: thank you. I am a trooper for the colorado state patrol and certified car seat tech. Love your work. My own personal vehicle, a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer, has a defect with the front differential. There is a leak from the seam, from the case itself. A mechanic friend stated it is a defect in the housing itself, the "punkin" (?) it causes leaks and needs to have fluid constantly added. The vehicle was primarily used in the denver metro area until this year (ie, high salt/mag chloride areas). The housing itself needs to be replaced, and I was wondering/hoping this was something Chevy needs to correct via recall versus something that normally happens (which I have never had on any other vehicle I've owned). This vehicle has been updated when previous recalls came out, has not been in an accident that might have caused the defect, and is not driven heavily or offroad. …
I have had multiple issues with my 2002 Chevy Trailblazer where the 4x4 selector switch will not work, or while driving at highway speeds the vehicle will be put into four wheel drive while the selector switch is still turned on two wheel drive. The selector switch at times has not worked when I wanted to make the vehicle go into four wheel drive. I have found out the vehicle is in four wheel drive by having a hard time turning the front wheels and seeing the front tires spin on loose gravel even though I never switched the vehicle into four wheel drive and the selector switch states it's still in two wheel drive but the yellow light is lit up that it's in four wheel drive. I have complained multiple times to GM and have had the selector switch replaced 3 times but it still continues to happen. Everytime that GM looks at it they say that it is working just fine. …
NHTSA investigations
Pincher/chafed wiring
Steering complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 4% of the model year's 1,149 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.