While traveling down the road at approximatly 35-40 mph with my two minor children, the steering was not responding properly and the car kept attempting to veer to the right. I let off the gas to slow down since the brakes were also not seeming to respond well. Upon attempting to brake and execute a left hand turn, the car would not turn at all despite the steering wheel being as turned as far to the left as possible, the lights began flashing on the dashboard for "PowerSteering" ESC warning. We ended up going through the intersection without stopping and narrowly missed another car in intersection and went completely off the road into a snowbank. Fortunately we were not injured. We drove the vehicle back home (approximately one mile) by overpowering the steering and manually forcing the car to stay on the road. Throughout the lane assist kept attempting to autocorrect and drive us off the road. The car was damaged by the impact and the mechanic said that the tie rod is bent and has no idea what could have caused this to happen. I am somehow now responsible for the situation. I have asked what caused the power steering to fail, and Chevy claims that they have no record of any power steering issues (which research has shown to be untrue) and in order to determine IF it failed and/or why, they need to make the repair and then run additional tests to re-create the issue. This car only has 21,000 miles on it, and has never been in an accident before this.
Chevrolet Trailblazer ball joint problems
56 of the 7,174 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Trailblazer describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 56
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical repair cost reported
- $750
- typical mileage
- 62,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 4Grinding brakes 4Wipers 3Headlights 3Fuel gauge 3ABS 3Slipping 2Fire or smoke 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P0461 1
What owners say
Rear frame rail rust through at control arm mount locations on both driver and passenger side. In addition frame from suspension mount forward approx 2feet rust through. Vehicle was kept washed and has no other rust issues except for frame. I’ve learned that this was an issue from 2003 to 2008 model years. This issue has been checked and verified thru a reputable garage
Ive had to continueously replace the brakes axles, warped rotors . As well as needing to purchase tires for front end due to control arms malfunction. Constant replacemenf of front axle all causing rubbing, mis alignment and front end sitting inward. These replacements happen more than 3 times a year the last 3 years of ownership.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. While attempting to reverse out of the driveway, the contact heard a squeaky noise emerging from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower driver's side control arm fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact stated the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 01v126000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving various speeds, the front end of the vehicle vibrated. The vibration was more pronounced while the engine was idling. Also, while ascending up a hill, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The mechanic replaced the motor mounts, control arms, and tension belt; however, the failures continued. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 177,000. The VIN was invalid.
Frame around forward control arm mounts rusted nearly through. Bottoms of doors rusting from the inside. Wheels corroding around beads which has created a constant bead leak.
Recently bought a car that I believe they are illegally passing the inspections on. They proclaimed that fixed a major part to keep the tires on my car tie rods and cv axel. Just short time after it looked like the part was never replaced just tightened up and shortly after we had all kinds of issues with the brakes and anything that keeps the car driveing safely the brakes went out on me so I called to see what they did and why they never fixed it the berry next day they repo the car as if they are trying to hide and cover up the scams they have on people my kids are in that car daily it should be never passed the inspection we have had to pay for most of that. I believe all the cars in there lot need to be inspected by a federal agent or something I've found alot of the same complaints online about same issues and I even know other people who have bought from them all with the same issues they are fraud and you need to stop them before someone gets killed and dies from one of there faulty vehicles my issue happened and happens while driveing they also took both of the brake caliber pins that hold it in place to the point to where it came off completely I almost died guys they are bad people to buy from
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 chevrolet trailblazer. While the vehicle was being inspected by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the front driver's side control arm was severely corroded and fractured. As a result, both lower control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to have the vehicle inspected by a chevrolet dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 60,912.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet trailblazer. While attempting to back out of the driveway, the contact heard a squeaky noise emerging from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower driver's side control arm fractured and needed replacement. The contact stated that the failure started approximately five months ago. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.
Flasher module, transmission leak evening after replacement, upper control arms goes out after replacement.
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain circumstances the front lower control arm brackets may fracture. This fracture could result in separation of the front lower control arm from the frame.
- Risk
- A separation could result in loss of vehicle control, resulting in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left and right front lower control arm brackets. Owner notification began by telephone on april 4, 2001. The followup letter to consumers was mailed may 3, 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, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537, or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 01V126000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Trailblazer ball joint
Which Chevrolet Trailblazer years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (19 complaints), 2003 (15 complaints) and 2004 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $750 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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