Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 MPH, the front end of the vehicle collapsed and the contact crashed into a wall. The vehicle was flipped onto the driver's side. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and back. The police were contacted and a report was filed. The contact was later treated at a hospital for his injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed as destroyed and the contact was informed that the front lower control arm bracket fractured, which caused the crash. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V126000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower arm). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While attempting to reverse out of the driveway, the contact heard a squeaky noise emerging from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower driver's side control arm fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact stated the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 01V126000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While attempting to back out of the driveway, the contact heard a squeaky noise emerging from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower driver's side control arm fractured and needed replacement. The contact stated that the failure started approximately five months ago. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.
Dt: contact bought a 2002 trail blazer in 2004. Contact complained about electrical problems. Brake lights/headlights/ 4-wheel switch , and blower switch went out. On 12-720-04 she started having transmission problems. It started grinding when she put in fourth gear. When she took vehicle to the dealer ,they told her that gears were faulty. When she put vehicle in 4-wheel drive, it broke. She had it repaired, and then the headlights went off because the headlight switch burned out. Then she had a new actuator put on it and a month later, she had to have another actuator put in. On 7-20-05 while driving, the 4-wheel drive switch came on, and was switching between 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive. Vehicle stopped, and she put it in 4-wheel drive. Went back to the dealer, who told consumer differential failed. Before she could drive home the transfer case module went out. …
I have had my Trailblazer for 6 months (since 9-29-03). I bought it used and have taken it in to get things that have gone wrong with it checked. I bought the 3/36,000 warranty and have not benefited from it. I have read that there was recall on the front lower control arm brackets, which May fracture. I took it in because I was hearing a noise when I turned. They told me what the problem was and I drove it for another month while the parts were being ordered and the OK from GM to cover this repair. I have taken it in to solve the problem of the tail lights to keep burning out and failing. I have received many warnings from legal authorities and my response is that I did not know and have just gotten it fixed. I also have a problem with the engine dying while driving, idling, or accelerating. Dealership says that they are "trying to reproduce the situation" but cannot. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. If the contact does not unhook the battery post each night, the vehicle will not start in the mornings. She purchased a new battery, but the failure persists. The front passenger side of the vehicle near the tire makes a roaring sound intermittently. Neither weather nor speed were factors. The contact believes that the gas tank is leaking fuel because it is burning more fuel. The vehicle was not taken to a Chevrolet dealer, but was taken to the dealer from where the vehicle was purchased. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failure and should be taken to the dealer. …
Noises coming from underneath the SUV ,check engine light constantly came on and one night I was going around 55 MPH my 15 yr old daughter,we heard a loud pop it sound like we had hit something in the road so I stop to see what it was, we saw nothing but the squeaking sound from under the SUV got louder some day later jumped in the car started the car and there was that loud sound again only this time the SUV would not move in reverse I could hear some spinning like noise so I took it to a shop and I was told that the transmission was striped out in reverse, and that some shaft had broken or something, the mechanic also told me that he had several people come in with the same problem the same model Trailblazer 2002 what hurt me so bad is this was my first brand new car, I only had it for two years, and if I every buy another car it want be from GM, I also had problems with my tailgate …
I have a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer 4wd. The clutch fan is bad. From what the auto parts service center advised me, all clutch fans on the 2002 trailblazers should be recalled. The vehicle runs high RPM's when first starting. This is a safety hazards that the gov. Should address with Chevy. Don't wait until someone loses a life, then act on this complaint. You would think after the Firestone tire incident you people would work on the side of the consumer, after all, we do pay for your agency to operate. Why is it the consumer always has to pay for big business when they are the ones who are a fault. When building any product, if it fails. Then the gov. Should enforce a recall. Whether it be one or 20 complaints. The consumer has the right to be protected when purchasing any product. When a complaint is made. The you the gov. Agency should act and make a recall. Before someone gets hurt. …
I was driving home from work and started hearing the trucks undercarriage start to rattle and grind on the bumps of the road. I had a sudden loss of power on engine and it wouldnt respond to my pressing on the gas. I believed that I had gas in the truck because the gauge read half full and apparently I was out of gas. So I proceeded to pull into a gas station and as soon as we filled up, the truck would not start! I saw that my check engine light was on and had to ask for a jumpstart to get it started again. At another time and date again the truck went dead, I asked for a jumpstart and the vehicle would not respond. I now had to buy a new battery because the car damaged the original battery and now with the new battery installed my car starts but will not stay on without me pressing on the gas while in park gear. …
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain circumstances the front lower control arm brackets May fracture. This fracture could result in separation of the front lower control arm from the frame.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front lower control arm brackets. Owner notification began by telephone on April 4, 2001. The followup letter to consumers was mailed May 3, 2001.
Suspension complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 3% of the model year's 1,149 complaints. The component named most often is front (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-126 (lower arm, Apr 12, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to suspension 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.