2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 4, 2017 · 175,000 miles · TX

Repeatedly replacing suspension parts(struts,bushings,shocks,control arm) passenger seatbelt locks even when driver does not apply brake interior lights randomly flicker/dash lights partially work dash not fully visible front & rear wipers do not fully function properly repeatedly replacing fuel line parts (fuel pump, fuel filter) gas hand on. Dash still fluctuates exterior lights headlamps are very dim like they are not on at all with or without bright. Lights engaged rear brake lights randomly flicker (bulbs repeatedly replaced) near & close call accidents when vehicle in motion on city streets and highways at times requiring police assistance to move vehicle into safer zones when vehicle has become inoperable. Vehicle stationary at times when dealing with electrical flickers upon starting ignition.starter had to be replaced twice due to turning of ignition would cause spark and if not corrected vehicle could have caught on fire. Status of some parts unknown due to repeated replacement and becoming too costly several inquiries are on the recall list but my VIN pulls up no recent recalls: recall number 02v222000 recall date 08/09/2002 component air bags:frontal 03v075000 recall date 03/06/2003 component power train 03v096000 recall date 03/19/2003 component electrical. System:wiring:interior/under dash 06e025000 recall date 03/21/2006 component exterior lighting:headlights 01v126000 recall date 04/12/2001 component suspension:front:control. Arm:lower arm 04v527000 recall date 11/01/2004 component exterior lighting:brake lights 04v201000 recall date 04/28/2004 component seat belts 04v046000 recall date 02/04/2004 component visibility:windshield. Wiper/washer 02v121000 recall date 08/23/2002 component fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings currently gathering all invoices for repair

Filed Dec 13, 2015 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · VA

The cooling lines from the transmission of the 2002 chevrolet trailblazer exit the transmission next to the catalytic converter. A portion of the lines are covered with a protective and loose fitting cover which appears to be aluminum almost like a tin foil. This covering creates an area where moisture collects causing the lines to rust. Eventually the lines start to leak transmission fluid. When the vehicle is in motion the fluid is blown onto the catalytic converter and could start a fire under the vehicle exposing the vehicle occupants to extreme danger. At first I thought the leak was oil from the engine, but upon checking closer, I found the transmission lines leaking. The placement of the transmission cooling lines are very close to the converter and if excessive fluid is splattered on the converter, a fire could result. The vehicle was stationary when the leak was noticed. However, the fluid was found after being on the highway at 70mph splattered on the undercarriage and surrounding area of the vehicle. Speaking with aamco mechanics who replaced the lines, they felt it is a real fire hazard. This seems to be a design defect. What brought my attention to this is the fact I had a 1995 jimmy and had noticed a similar leak when it was 8 years old. I had given the truck to my son. After he had driven it on an interstate, another driver yelled at him that his car was on fire. The entire underside was on fire. Fortunately he was able to exit the vehicle and get his family out before the entire truck was engulfed in flames. The fire marshal at the time thought a line of some type had burst. I suspect it was the transmission line similar to the trailblazer transmission line.

Filed Oct 14, 2015 · Engine · 148,000 miles · NJ · crash · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal noise and smoke appeared from the hood. The vehicle suddenly caught fire. A police and a fire report were filed and no injuries were reported. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the engine was replaced. On another occasion, while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the contact attempted to change lanes and another vehicle attempted to make a u-turn resulting in the contact crashing into the driver side of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The hood caught on fire. The fire was extinguished by an individual. A police and a fire report were filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

Filed Mar 5, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 192,000 miles · LA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, a smoke odor emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked when the contact discovered black smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stated that although the key was not in the ignition the headlights would not go off and the vehicle sounded as if it was trying to start without the key in the ignition. The contact extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The fire department came and filed a report. Prior to this incident the contact stated that while stopped at a red light with the brakes engaged, the engine rpms increased and the vehicle jerked without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000.

Filed May 20, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 176,920 miles · WV · crash · fire

I was coming to a stop light my brakes did not want to work , then they did. I stopped my vehicle, my lights in my dash went out within a few seconds smoke started to roll from under my hood and cover my windshield. I immediately got out of the vehicle, and called 911. The vehicle was not running at this time, it stopped running. A bystander stopped to assist, he looked from the passenger front tire view and stated he seen flames that appeared to be blue. He wanted to lift the hood but I advised him not to do so, due to my job training I knew oxygen promotes fire. We got away from the vehicle, saint albans fire arrived on scene, the flames were out by the time they arrived, the car continues to smoke. The vehicle was moved to a lot, the key was put in the ignition by the fire department the dash lights did not work even with just turning the battery on. Triple h towing, towed the vehicle to davis smith's auto body. Geico is my insurer, I had full coverage however they will not cover stating it was mechanical failure. I have no without a vehicle, and no insurance funds to replace the vehicle. I have read online this is a common problem with this vehicle, I just do not want anyone to get hurt in a vehicle fire. Thank you for your time.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 139,000 miles · MI · fire

I was driving my '02 chevy trailblazer on the interstate. The vehicle slipped and fishtailed a bit and I pressed the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop. When the vehicle came to a stop, I tried to accelerate forward, but it would not move. The vehicle had not turned off on its own. I manually shut off the engine and restarted the vehicle and proceeded to move onto the shoulder of the interstate. I then noticed smoke and a small flame coming from under the hood near the front passenger tire/wheelhouse. The flames got bigger and soon it spread to the entire engine. The flames started near the right passenger wheelhouse and moved to the left driver wheelhouse. In about 20 minutes the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. I have no idea how or why a fire started. I looked at forums online and many vehicles like mine have caught on fire while driving.

Filed Mar 5, 2014 · Engine · 100,000 miles · HI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trail blazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to decelerated. The contact stopped the vehicle and smoke and flames were billowing from under the hood. The flames were extinguished by the fire department. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 122,000 miles · TN · fire

While driving I noticed a burning smell outside of my vehicle but assumed it was coming from the area around me not my car. When I got to my destination I noticed smoke coming from under the left side of the hood and above the drivers side tire. I raised my hood and noticed smoke coming from around my fuse box. I had the car towed and have been told by my mechanic my fuse box and wiring harness burned. He also stated there could be other damaged related to this fire. The mechanic also asked if I had problems out of my headlights because the problem seemed to have started with the headlights. I have researched this since being given this information and electrical problems seem have been a problem with trailblazers. I found several instances on this site and also online related to electrical problems on the trailblazers. Complaint #10487846 is identical to mine and its a shame nothing gets done about these mechanical failures until there is a tragedy.

Filed Jul 31, 2013 · Engine · WI · fire

Was driving about an hour or so, when I smelled and seen smoke coming from vehicle. Gauges indicated nothing wrong with vehicle. As I pulled over, I noticed fire underneath the front of the vehicle and also coming out of hood of vehicle around the engine. As I was waiting for fire department, it burned vehicle inside and out half way through vehicle. No injuries but vehicle was junked due to fire damage.

Filed May 20, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 170,000 miles · AZ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the brakes failed without warning. The contact was able to safely pull over to the shoulder where the vehicle started to smoke and caught on fire. The fire was contained by the local fire department. A fire report was not filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and was not inspected for the cause of the fire. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Nov 21, 2010 · Electrical · NY · fire

I bought a 2002 chev.trailblazer ltz from joe cecconis dealership. My alternator was bad they told me when I bought it and so they replaced it in 2008. Wed. Nov. 18th 2010 it caught on fire while I was in it. The local fire dept. Made a report and joe cecconis wont return my calls. What do I do?

Filed Jun 27, 2010 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · CA · fire

Car running great, parked it for an hour then got in my car and it wouldn't start. Dash lights and radio came on but wouldn't turn over. Took the key out, front headlight stuck on. Kept trying to start. Opened hood, smoke coming from fuse box. Removed fuse box cover, the fuse box was melted over the fuses and was on fire. Disconnected the battery and put out the fire.