Pulled into driveway, lights would not go off, a few minutes later smoke was coming out from under hood and it smelled like burning plastic. Popped hood and fuse block and relay we smoking and melting! Got fire extinguished and pulled the head light relay switch, but it had melted through the block!!!!
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT lights problems
10 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 43,000.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 43,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Brake lights5
- Tail lights1
- Back up lights1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT lights problems in other years
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on november 22, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 04V527000 · Recall details
Related 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. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at under the identification numbers in the attached document.
RQ17002
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 complaints alleging brake lights not operating when the brake pedal is depressed.on august 3, 2004 odi upgraded pe04-032 to an engineering analysis (ea04-021).by letter dated october 27, 2004 gm notified the federal safety agency that it will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 04v527) covering subject vehicles that were not already repaired under gm's special policy.my 2004 subject vehicles built after august 8, 2003 contain improved brake lamp assemblies and are not included in the recall.gm dealers will install the improved brake lamp assembly on subject vehicles built on august 8, 2003 and earlier.the action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.accordingly, this investigation is closed.
EA04021
What 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The headlight wiring inside of the lens assembly over heats and melts the electrical connector going to the bulb and the insulation on the wiring. This has happened to both headlights on more than one occasion. Had to go and have the electrical wiring plus connector replaced.
Third brake light wing flew off while driving on the expressway.
The taillights are delayed when needing to turn on. If you apply the brake, blinker or place vehicle in reverse, the lights will not come on until a few seconds have passed. Also condensation builds up on the inside lens. It happens ever time I drive or use the vehicle. A previous recall on the taillights did not cover the delay or condensation according to the dealer and gm. So far I have not taken any corrective steps, I am going to try replacing the assembly and hope that resolves it. The light is not cracked or damaged in any way, and vehicle has never been in an accident.
Have been having major trouble with the front end. Had it checked multiple times at the dealer and at a local mechanics shop and the ball joints and bushings had to be replaced. Even the the warranty was finished, the dealer did not charge me for this, but unfortunately I thought that this would take care of the noise on the front end, but it is still there!! Also yesterday, april 24, 2007, I had to have the fan clutch replaced. This vehicle only has 35,000 miles. I have also had the service engine soon light come on and stay on several times and after reading other complaints, I should check out the gas tank for any cracks. This is my first and last gm product!!!! It spends more time being fixed then on the road. I have also had trouble with the rear tail light burning out, but that has since been fixed!
I own a 2002 trail blazer ext. I bought it brand new and I have had many many problems with it. I finally have had it and decided to see if the internet reported any similar problems and to my amazement there are many people out there with the same problems, but here is my story. I have had to have the brake lights electrical system on both sides replaced, molding around the license plate frame repaired, oxygen sensor replaced, sway bars replaced, windshield wiper motors replaced, left side passenger window motor broke twice, gas tank replaced because it was leaking gas and now it is back in the shop once again because the engine light came on and I had the onstar system do an engine analysis and they said something is wrong with my power train. I took it to the dealership and they call to tell me the gas tank is leaking gas and needs to be replaced. I told them I just had it done in october 2003. They told me I could not drive my vehicle. I see there was a recall done on some 2002 trailblazers due to a problem like this, but they say my vehicle is not one of them. Why? I am having the same problems with the gas tank. This is the second one. I am lucky I took it in or something may have happened if it is this dangerous. I would appreciate a response back. Thank you, kathy yates.
The brake lights on my 2002 trailbalzer have either burned out or failed to function 3 times in the past 2 years. A serious issue since I was notified by other drivers while driving in heavy traffic. Once the bulbs were replaced at the dealership and the other times at local mechanics while I was traveling. Enough of an issue to make me consider trading vehicles.
I have a 2002 trailblazer with multiple taillight / brake light failures. The dealership has resolved my problem, however I thought this information might be helpful to your open investigation. In november 03 my brake lights failed and my dealership "replaced the bulbs" under my then existing warranty. Again, in january, they failed again and I took the vehicle in to have the "bulbs" replaced. While sitting at the counter, I was speaking to a man behind the parts counter and explaining my problem to him. I hadn't finished explaining when he told me I must have a trailblazer. I told him yes, and asked him why. He reached under the counter and took out a box with no less than 20 taillight "circuit boards" and told me they were all from trailblazers.
Brake lights continuously fail in my 2002 trailblazer. The dealer replaced them a couple of times while I was having other cheap made inferior parts repaired or replaced under warranty or recall. The problem is the contacts in the bulb socket are to far apart and do not make a secure connection with the bulb contacts and also do not have electrical grease in them to protect against moisture.
This problem concerns a repeated lighting systems failure. This incident occurred when I was notified by another motorist that when I had the brakes on while stopped at a stop light that both the left and right tail stop lamps were not lit although the center high mounted stop lamp did light to indicate the brakes were on. I had had to have both of these lamps replaced only about 3 months ago when they both burned out within a short period of time, perhaps simultaneously as they might have last week. After the incident last week I put in new bulbs but, unlike the first incident 3 months ago, the lamps would not light properly when the brake pedal was depressed. I will notify the dealer where I bought the vehicle next week when their service department is open again that this problem with my vehicle needs attention.
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT lights
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT have lights problems?
Owners have filed 10 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 43,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V527000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT have the most lights problems?
The Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT model years with the most lights complaints are 2003 (23 complaints), 2004 (13 complaints) and 2006 (11 complaints).
Other 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT problems
Fuel system 23Transmission 20Electrical 14Engine 14Visibility 10Locks 6Body 5Suspension 4Acceleration 1Airbags 1Seat belts 1Seats 1Steering 1Tires 1
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