As I was driving down the road the check engine light lit on and vehicle went into limp mode which didn’t let me accelerate over 20 miles an hour. This happened in a busy intersection after safely and cautiously moving to the right to avoid any traffic collisions we got it towed. The codes that came up were P0700 and P0796 Transmission failure due to a stuck solenoid. Chevy has Internal bulletin 20-NA-120 regarding these breakdowns. It’s a known problem and one that is dangerous to the public because these incidents can happen anywhere even on busy highways or freeways.
Chevrolet Trailblazer won't shift problems
65 of the 7,174 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Trailblazer describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 65
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,200
- typical mileage
- 67,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 18Check engine light 9Loss of power 5Jerking 5Slipping 4Harsh shifting 4Whining noise 3Stalling 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P2714 3P0700 2P0796 1P0299 1
What owners say
My 2021 Trailblazer does not shift into drive properly from park or reverse. When shifting into drive, the engine revs but does not move forward. In some cases, the vehicle also shakes and jolts for several seconds. It is also slow to shift into higher gears at high speeds on the freeway. In cases of quick acceleration, the check engine light comes on and the message "Engine Power Reduced" shows. This has caused potentially dangerous situations where I am not able to accelerate to match the flow of traffic, especially when merging onto the freeway. I have taken the car to both a Chevy dealership and an independent shop, who have both confirmed that there is a "loss of forward gear" and pulled codes P2714 and P0700. I have been told that I most likely need a transmission replacement at only 34,000 miles.
My new vehicle was stuck in park the dealership replaced a control module then a gear shift assembly and now some kind of brake switch and im nervous that the vehicles is unsafe. The dealership has not been letting me know much I've had to call and they won't give me any paperwork.
My trailblazer will not shift properly into drive from park or reverse. GM calls this a "loss of forward motion" or "delayed forward engagement" in their service bulletin TSB-24-NA-009. It is a safety issue because you never know when or how long the vehicle will take to engage and allow forward movement. This causes issues when leaving a parking spot or a driveway, especially on busy roads. If the car will not move forward, my family is stuck in the road until it finally engages into gear and allows forward movement. When this occurs, the vehicle engine will shutter and not allow any forward movement. I usually have to move the drive selector back to park and back to drive again. This creates an immediate and unreasonable safety risk because the vehicle will not move for several seconds while I am sitting in traffic. This generates a P2714 code. I had the car looked at by a GM dealer as well as an independent transmission repair shop and both indicate it will likely need a new transmission. GM is fully aware of the defect and has issued a service bulletin, TSB-24-NA-009 to instruct dealers how to diagnose and repair the problem. The bulletin proves a widespread engineering or manufacturing flaw exists. However, GM is treating this as a maintenance issue rather than the severe safety hazard that it is. It is my understanding, GM has since abandoned this transmission on the newer models, further indicating that GM knew these transmissions were not designed well. I am requesting the federal safety agency office cross-reference my complaint with GM TSB-24-NA-009 and upgrade the component defect to a mandatory, manufacturer-funded safety recall before it causes a collision or fatal injury. Thank You
Vehicle has 67,000 miles and suffered a catastrophic CVT transmission failure, documented by dealership diagnostic code P2714. The transmission severely slips and exhibits a dangerous 15-second delay to engage forward gear after shifting into Drive. More critically, the vehicle suffers from unpredictable engine stalling. The car completely shut down and stalled in traffic while trying to accelerate into a driving lane after shifting. The vehicle did not trigger any dashboard safety warnings, limp mode, or "Reduced Engine Power" messages prior to shutting down, causing an un-warned loss of motive power on a public road. This creates an immediate, severe risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. General Motors has acknowledged internal CVT chain slippage and hydraulic failure points in Technical Service Bulletins 24-NA-009 and PIP6033 but has not issued a safety recall.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on three occasions, the vehicle was stopped and restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the wastegate actuator needed to be replaced, and DTC: P0299 was retrieved. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where DTC: P0299 was retrieved, and the contact was informed that the turbo or the wastegate actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic, where it was determined that the turbo and waste gate actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with Manufacturer Recall Number: A222379711. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
While driving at highway speeds, my vehicle suddenly enters low power/limp mode, severely reducing acceleration and creating a dangerous situation in traffic. This occurred multiple times. The dealership diagnosed the issue as a faulty gas pedal (accelerator) sensor and stated the vehicle is unsafe to drive under these conditions. The required part has been on back order for months, and no repair has been completed. The dealership promised a loaner vehicle due to safety concerns but failed to provide one and has had no communication for over four months. I am now required to travel long distances and fear loss of power will occur again while driving on the highway, posing a serious safety risk.
“Shift to Park” message came on the dashboard. Car would not change gear or go into reverse or drive. Basically stuck in Park position. Car kept peeping sound nonstop for over 20 minutes. And it drained the battery. Car would not drive. Had to have it towed to the dealership I brought it from 45 miles away. I had to pay $656.72 at dealership to get it fixed. The dealership removed and replaces the shifter assembly which cost $656.72.
wont go into park
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and was unable to accelerate above 40 MPH. The contact stated that after the failure, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the variable valve timing system. Additionally, the dealer found that the intake camshaft actuator was incorrectly positioned, resulting in damages to the exhaust camshaft. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 81,000.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- 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)
- 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)
- 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 Chevrolet Trailblazer won't shift
Which Chevrolet Trailblazer years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (29 complaints), 2021 (9 complaints) and 2003 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix stuck in gear or won't shift on the Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,200 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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