Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 30 MPH, the headlights failed and turned off independently. When the contact exited the vehicle, the locks independently engaged and locked the contact out. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for that incident. Later, the electrical components on the front driver's side door, including the side view mirror, power window, and power lock switches, failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's door master power window switch module failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer rebooted the module as a temporary repair, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer and pay for the repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the sun roof did not close completely. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per a technical service bulletin regarding the sun roof in October of 2010 by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,394.
Vehicle type: 2002 Chevy Trailblazer. Brake lights, tail lights, and turn signals at the rear of the vehicle fail without warning. Light bulbs burn out in hours or days, rather than weeks or months. No signs of moisture in the tail light assemblies that would shorten bulb-life. The total light failure has happened 6 times in the past 3 months. No accidents, but several near misses. Have spent more than $150 in new bulbs for tail lights and brake lights over this time frame. Old bulbs do not always appear to have burned or broken elements, but have replaced them anyway for safety sake. Windshield wipers don't work when turned on, or come on when switch is in the off position. Dash lights all light up for no reason. Heater/air conditioner blower won't work, and power windows won't work when dash lights are lit. Took this problem to the dealer for repair. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. In March of 2008, the rear hatch glass suddenly shattered. The hatch had just been in use prior to the failure. The contact heard a popping sound and realized that the glass shattered outward all over her yard and driveway. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the repair would cost $1,200. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop and, with the assistance of her insurance company, the glass was repaired. In September of 2008, she took the vehicle to the dealer because the rear windshield wiper malfunctioned. The dealer replaced the wiper motor. In December of 2008, she took the vehicle to a dealer because the tailgate was closing hard, grinding progressively worse, and the rear windshield wiper would still not work. The dealer repaired the failures; however, the wiper still malfunctioned. …
The 2002 Trailblazer had a recall on the windshield wiper motor and the possibility of damage that water inside the motor could cause. The correction was performed by plugging a hole in the motor. My vehicle was also under a gmpp extended warranty. Shortly later, the wipers began to malfunction while on intermittent. They stutter and sometimes stop in mid stroke, unless on high speed. I researched the internet and found numerous similar complaints that were caused by water damage that had occurred. I inquired at the dealer about correcting and they stated that since the recall had been performed, they could repair the unit only if I paid for the repairs. The estimated cost was around $350. …
There was a vehicle recall campaign regarding the wiper motor on my 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Water would work it's way into the wiper motor on certain models and short the motor and circuit board out. General motor's fix was to inspect and reseal the motor. Not long after general motor's supposed fix, the wipers on my Trailblazer would stop in mid wipe and then restart again a few seconds later, which I regard as a serious safety related issue. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and was told the circuit board had shorted out and the wiper motor would need to be replaced at $332.67. This was the same problem the recall was supposed address. In my opinion, general motor's (fix) was a stopgap measure and not a permanent solution to the problem and a ongoing safety related issue. …
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. …
2002 Trailblazer acted like transmission going out, took to dealer they upgraded computer. Front right low beam wired burned and melted, took to dealer they wanted to charge 250.00 plus labor for light assembly when all it needed was a piggy plug, bought plug at napa and fixed myself. Never have had two back lights working at same time... Cant take to dealer to get the recall work because it seems that these vehicles are using a "weak" oil pump and my Trailblazer has been in shop for last month or more waiting to be fixed. The weak oil pump caused damage to rod bearings, main bearings, and crankshaft. GM says out of warranty and my customer service specialist said "I'm sorry" about 10 times but she was still closing my folder and marking dissatisfied. She can't help me because I'm out of warranty. I hate this vehicle. …
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 …
While driving to lax airport after rounding curve to get off on airport ramp, tranmission failed. Vehicle would not move. Local airport police assisted to get me towed ($45) to police lot. Notified OnStar and was towed to closest Chevrolet dealer, albertson Oldsmobile Chevrolet in culver city, california. After three days the dealer had not even looked at the vehicle. I then ha car towed to aamco transmission in orange california where after less than 24 hours I was informed transmission was completely burned up. A pump had failed and the inside of the transmisson assembly was filled with metal shavings. In October of 2003 the transmission had failed and the car had to be towed to gateway Chevrolet in la mirada, california. Car was repaired. I have also had many other problems with this vehicle including brake lights, windshield wipers, heating & air conditioning system.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can either cause a short circuit or can…
Remedy: Dealers will cover the windshield wiper module vent hole with a patch. Also, the wiper motor, circuit board, and electrical connector will be inspected to signs of water intrusion and/or corrosion and be replaced as…
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
The subject vehicles (Chevrolet trailblazer (ext), GMC envoy (xl), and Oldsmobile bravada) are built on the gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the ?family? Design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsense automatic moisture sensitive wipers).the windshield wiper assembly is located inside the plenum at the base…
Windshield wiper failure
On September 17, 2003, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-042) to investigate alleged windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 2002 and 2003 Chevrolet trailblazer and trailblazer ext, GMC envoy and envoy xl, and Oldsmobile bravada vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on January 6, 2004, and the scope was expanded to include certain…
Window & Wiper complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 104 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 9% of the model year's 1,149 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-046 (windshield wiper/washer, Feb 4, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.