Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with air conditioner activated, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had replaced the crankshaft solenoid which he believed repaired the issue. Soon after the initial repair, the contact stated that the driver's side tail light and instrument panel failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that he replaced the tail light fuses and instrument panel circuit board however, the repairs failed to fix the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failures to the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v096000 (electrical system) and 04v527000 (exterior lighting). The contact called corwin motors kalispell (2565 us-93, kalispell, mt 59901, (406) 755-5555) and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 247,000.
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer lights problems
144 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 53,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 144
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 53,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Brake lights65
- Headlights22
- Tail lights20
- Turn signal4
- Turn signal: flasher unit2
- Headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2
- Brake lights: switch2
- Tail lights: switch1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Trailblazer lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
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
Brake lamp failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation on model year (my) 2002-04 chevrolet trailblazer vehicles.gm reports that other vehicles sharing this platform and brake lamp design are the my 2002-2004 chevrolet trailblazer ext; gmc envoy, xl, xuv; oldsmobile bravada and 2004 buick rainier.complaints allege that the rear brake lamp does not operate when the brake pedal is depressed.there is no indication to the driver from inside the vehicle that one or more brake lamps bulbs are not functioning.gm found that heat from the bulb could deform the lamp socket, produce electrical arcing and an inoperative bulb.to correct the condition, gm changed the bulb to a bulb that transmits less heat to the socket and changed the socket to a thermoplastic polymer to improve thermal stability.these changes were implemented into production vehicles on october 1, 2003.gm implemented a special policy by notifying consumers that if they should experience a brake lamp failure to go to their gm dealership to have the circuit board containing the brake lamp replaced along with new bulbs.this policy is good for the first 6 years or 72,000 miles of the life of the vehicle.odi will upgrade this investigation to ea 04-021 and include the above mentioned vehicles.
PE04032
What 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Chevrolet dealer began recall repairs but gm filed bankruptcy and dealer refused to repair citing inability to get paid by gm for recall, returning the vehicle to me unrepaired. Next dealer said records showed repairs were completed. They were not.
I pulled into my garage and shut my truck off but my doors wouldn't unlock. Then it started making funny ticking sounds and all my lights inside started flicking and my windows all rolled up and wouldn't go back down so I could get out. After about 20 minutes or so I turned it back on and was finally able to get my door unlocked to get out. Now when I touch anything my other windows go up and my seat starts to move on its own. My driver's window is stuck up and won't come back down. I have 5 kids and can not chance something happening and us not being able to get out safely.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. The contact stated that the reverse lights failed to operate. The light bulbs were replaced but the lights would not illuminate. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 05/09/17*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving at a low speed, the contact was informed by another driver that the tail lights were not working. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v527000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 133,982.
Both right and left low beam headlights stopped working as of 10/27/2016. The amber turn signal indicators seem to work sporadically. As of now, the vehicle can only be driven safely during the day. Early morning darkness and the earlier onset of sunset make driving hazardous. The vehicle was not in motion at the time this was discovered, but before leaving to make a school drop-off. The high beam lamps and fog lamps work when activated. The r and l head light fuses are intact.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. While operating the vehicle, all the exterior lights randomly shut on and off. While driving at various speeds, the transmission would suddenly switch to first gear and caused the speed to suddenly reduce. The vehicle would not operate in reverse. After shutting the vehicle off and restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 171,000.
I purchased a used 2002 chevy trailblazer,(with the loan company and car lot) ,I could not get the loan without having the car sales company put an anti-theft device in,when they did that,all of the features stopped working,.not able to lock,open with remote,seat-belt and airbag light stay on etc etc etc diagnoses (body control module $950.00. Currently using the vehicle.
Since I've owned this vehicle "new", I've replaced the drive lights three times for burned cables also, the passenger side seatbelts locks while in motion. My local dealer informed me that, that was typical of the passenger safety device.....as a passenger, once you set down and put the seatbelt on, it locks, holding you too tight, and virtually choking the passenger!! All other seatbelts works fine. And still functions the same to this day.
I was driving home one night from work on a back road in south carolina going 35mph when my headlights shut off and the car completly stalled, I quickly turned on my hazard lights on to warn the oncoming traffic the car that was coming up on me had to swerve into the grass because the area was so dark he didnt see my hazard lights until he got close to me. This isnt the first time this has happen there really should be a recall on these 2002 trail blazer because this is not safe at all im worried my child will be in the truck with me and it happens again.
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer lights
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer have lights problems?
Owners have filed 144 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 13% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 53,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V527000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Trailblazer have the most lights problems?
The Chevrolet Trailblazer model years with the most lights complaints are 2007 (151 complaints), 2002 (144 complaints) and 2005 (143 complaints).
Other 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
Transmission 310Electrical 181Engine 160Fuel system 132Visibility 106Airbags 102Brakes 55Seat belts 48Steering 42Body 40Suspension 33Tires 19Acceleration 17Locks 16Seats 14Wheels 10Driver assistance 5
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