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2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer: complete transmission failure

56 of the 1,149 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer describe complete transmission failure.

owner complaints
56
of this car's complaints
5%
typical repair cost reported
$2,200
typical mileage
68,073
recalls
3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 63 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Complete transmission failure by model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 4, 2015 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · RI

Driving on highway transmission blew, leaked 10 out of 12 quarts of transmission fluid... Very common in 2002 trailblazers I feel chevy should have recalled the 2002 transmissions due to how many complaints people have had.

Filed Apr 3, 2015 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · OH

Transmission cooling lines that run next to the catalytic converter/exhaust pipe are prone to 'rust-through' due to the insulation wrap that has been added because of being so close to the high heat source. This insulation traps moisture and salt in northern areas and causes the lines to corrode and leak transmission fluid. I feel this is a potential fire hazard as the fluid can drip directly onto the exhaust components. Fortunately I could smell this after I pulled into my garage otherwise I would not have know of the leak. Depending on when the leak actually takes place and the rate of leakage this could also result in transmission failure if the driver is unaware that the vehicle is losing fluid, ie: extended highway driving. From my understanding this corrosion and resultant leakage is very common and should be listed as a safety recall. Thank you

Filed Aug 9, 2012 · Transmission · 74,888 miles · PA

I own a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer that has a defective transmission. The transmission has been completely replaced twice at approximately 24,000 miles and 45,000 miles. I learned recently on august 7, 2012, at just under 75,000 miles, that the transmission hoses were leaking fluid and that the transmission would need to be completely replaced again. I think general motors released a defective sports utility vehicle if the transmission needs to be replace approximately every 25,000 miles and these automobiles should be recalled as it could cause a safety hazard if the transmission stops working when someone is driving a chevrolet trailblazer.

Filed May 8, 2012 · Transmission · NC

Automatic transmission sunshell failed, driving and the truck didn't go into gear. Slowing went in gear, cause struggle driving...as I turn to held back home the SUV refused to go in to rear.took to transmission shop failed sunshell need new transmission. Costly..start slipped in and out of gear week before engine light came on. The slippage of gear have almost caused several accident when enter highways or lans.

Filed Sep 2, 2010 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · KY

Driving my son home from football practice and heard a weird sound and noticed the gears would not shift in the transmission. I tried to put the vehicle into reverse and it would not work. I had no warnings about this and just about got hit due to having to try to pull off the road quickly. This is the first time it has happened and we are going to try to buy a new transmission.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · OH

2002 chevy trailblazer at 38,000 transmission went out was told it is caused by 3 different shops the sunshield (sun gear) assembly is defective and gm knew about it. Was rebuilt in sept. 2005. 3/1/2010 vehicle now has 82000 transmission went out and was again told same thing. Vehicle makes a loud popping sound then shakes violently and reverse, 2 and 3 go out with out warning. Vehicle revs high then struggles upon acceleration from traffic light.

Filed Dec 11, 2009 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · TX

2002 trailblazer transmission failure at 76,000 miles.

Filed May 14, 2009 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · VT

92,0000 miles, we do no towing. I've had vehicles that get 150,000 miles with no transmission problems. Driving vehicle when all of a sudden it shifted into second gear, I pulled to the side of the road and stopped. Put vehicle in park and shut engine. Looked under hood & saw no obvious problems. Restarted vehicle and drove 3/10 m. And repeated same mannerism of shifting into 2nd gear. Had vehicle towed and shop told us we need a new transmission.

Filed Mar 17, 2009 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · CO

2002 chevy trailblazer - we had the transmission in our 2002 trailblazer replaced in sept of 2006 because the sun gear failed and ruined the transmission. This truck has not towed anything. Now 35000 miles later, the same problem. This is the second transmission that had to go into this SUV with the towing package. We don't tow anything and yet the transmission fails from highway driven miles. This is obviously some type of defect after researching the internet, I have found many people having the same problem. I am tired of wasting hard earned money to pay for a manufactures faulty parts. They even have a service bulletin stating a potential problem with the part and don't do anything about it. I am tired of paying 2200.00 + to correct their problems. When the transmission failed again a few days ago, my wife was nearly run into by the car behind her. I am seriously considering legal action.

Filed Feb 5, 2009 · Transmission · 67,853 miles · AR

1. Backing out of a parking space. Heard a loud pop. 2. Reverse no longer works, cant back out of parking spaces. Will not shift into 2nd or 4th gear. Transmission needs to be replaced. 3. Transmission must be rebuilt or new transmission installed. Costs between 1500 and 3000 dollars. Car only has 67,000 miles on it and the transmission should not fail this quickly.

Filed Jan 14, 2009 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · KY

I have 2002 chevy trailblazer that transmission failed at 113,000 miles. Rebuilt at a cost of $2,000 by dealer. Also transfer case electronic modulator went out and replaced @ $800 by same dealer. Also replaced the fan clutch at same dealer for $800. Within 1 week I have spent $3,600. I have owned 6 new gm products and have never replaced this much expensive equipment. I know the transmission is a major issue and felt gm or the dealer should help on the repair. Dealer refused and would not request gm's help. The other items I am sure are related or replaced at a very high rate. Evidence of these repairs are all over the internet. My trailblazer is driven by my wife to work and they are all road miles. I did not expect to pay for all costs but they could have worked with me. I paid $25,000 for this vehicle and expected a lot more. Gm does not deserve a bail out. They need a good ass kicking for the dumb asses that tried to support them all these years by buying their product. If there is help from all the bail out money they get include my $3,600. I would not expect a free repair but with the number of complaints there are they should be made to repair or reimburse on some kind of scale.

Filed Dec 12, 2008 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · MN

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving 55 MPH, the engine revved and would not change gears. The contact arrived home and turned off the vehicle. When he restarted the vehicle, it would only drive forward and not in reverse. The vehicle was towed to the transmission repair shop and they opened the transmission. They discovered scraps of metal where the gear shift was shredded. The mechanic stated that the sun shell was the cause of the failure and a new transmission was needed. The failure occurred without warning. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 98,000.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported March 6, 2003 · 511,167 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
Risk
These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Remedy
Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537, or hummer at 1‑866‑486‑6376.

Recall number 03V075000 · Recall details

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)Reported October 17, 2001 · 78,004 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The calibration of the transfer case control module could cause insufficient high speed gear engagement.
Risk
If the gear is not engaged, the vehicle can roll when the transmission is in "park" and a crash could result without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will update the transfer case control module calibration to increase gear engagement. Owner notification began november 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.

Recall number 01V334000 · Recall details

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)Reported September 5, 2001 · 895 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles (4 wheel-drive). Some of these vehicles were built with a range shift collar in the transmission transfer case that contains cracks.
Risk
This condition could result in a complete fracture of the range shift collar and subsequent loss of vehicle forward and reverse gears, and the inability to maintain "park" position. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash resulting from unintended movement of a parked vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the transfer cases and update the control module calibration. Owner notification began september 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.

Recall number 01V283000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer transmission failure

Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

56 of 1,149 owner complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer (5%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2002.

How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,200 (median of 19 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

There are 3 recalls and 63 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Wipers 64Headlights 60No deployment 55Stalling 53Fuel smell 52Fuel leak 40Check engine light 36Loss of power 29Won't shift 29Seat belt 28Grinding brakes 27Fire or smoke 24Fuel gauge 23Fuel pump 23Airbag light 21Jerking 20Ball joint 19Engine failure 18Won't start 16Whining noise 15Brake failure 12Knocking 12Harsh shifting 12Slipping 11Tire blowout 11ABS 9Door locks 9Power steering loss 8Adaptive cruise 7Overheating 6Steering lock-up 6Sudden acceleration 6Hesitation 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Trailblazer

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