VehicleVerdict

2002 Chevrolet Blazer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 301 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.4 times the median Blazer year — the 2002 model ranks #12 of 46 Blazer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (65), transmission (33), and brakes (25), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

301

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Blazer years?

Blazer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted1,707 complaints1969: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 1 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 1 complaints1977: 2 complaints1978: 2 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 35 complaints1986: 21 complaints1987: 38 complaints1988: 45 complaints1989: 47 complaints1990: 42 complaints1991: 267 complaints1992: 337 complaints1993: 616 complaints1994: 774 complaints1995: 1,707 complaints1996: 1,579 complaints1997: 1,098 complaints1998: 1,025 complaints1999: 612 complaints2000: 885 complaints2001: 464 complaints2002: 301 complaints2003: 103 complaints2004: 67 complaints2005: 18 complaints2006: 20 complaints2007: 11 complaints2008: 5 complaints2019: 287 complaints2020: 345 complaints2021: 191 complaints2022: 66 complaints2023: 58 complaints2024: 59 complaints2025: 39 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Blazer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Blazer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Blazer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting6522%
Transmission3311%
Brakes258%
Electrical System248%
Engine238%
Fuel System238%
Airbags186%
Suspension176%
Visibility & Wipers165%
Steering145%
Body & Structure114%
Other83%
Seat Belts72%
Tires & Wheels62%
Speed Control41%
Seats41%
Latches & Locks21%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V231000LightingMay 21, 2008 · 5,862 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 5,862 MY 2000-2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER, MY 2000-2001 GMC JIMMY, AND MY 2000 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH CARRIER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> . NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 01V364).

01V364000LightingDecember 3, 2001 · 506,377 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH CARRIER. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002, WITH MAILINGS TO OWNERS OF 2000 AND EARLY 2001 VEHICLES. THE SECOND MAILING PHASE WILL BE TO REMAINING 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES. 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, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“REAR BRAKE LIGHTS & THIRD LIGHT WERE STAYING ON INTERMIT. WHITE SMOKE IS NOW COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL AFTER THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED TODAY. THIS SWITCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO THE SUBJECT PRIOR RECALL OF BLAZER BRAKE LIGHT AND MULTI FUNCTION BREAK LIGHT SWITCHES. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · February 21, 2007 · fire

“ON THIS OCCASION WE HAD A HEAVY SNOW THAT DAY AND AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD I SWITCHED TO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AS I TURNED THE CORNER, THINKING I WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MY CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHEN IT HIT ICE AND I HIT BOULDERS AND LANDED ON A TREE. EARLIER WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR WE NOTICED A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 1, 2001 · crash

“WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT 20 MPH IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE RAN THROUGH A STOP SIGN. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, WHICH STARTED AT 400 MILES, VEHICLE WOULD EITHER PULL TO THE RIGHT/LEFT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CAUSE OF BOTH FAILURES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

“CONSUMER'S MOTHER IN LAW'S VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND BURNED UP. FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOT OF FUSE BLOWOUTS.*AK THE POWER MIRROR SWITCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. *TS *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 2, 2003 · fire

“MY FIANCE HAD PURCHASED A 2002 S10 CHEVROLET BLAZER IN OCTOBER OF 2004 BECAUSE HE WANTED ME TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT WAS SAFE AND DEPENDABLE TO DRIVE. JUST RECENTLY MY CHILDREN WERE DRIVING THE BLAZER WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WASN'T ANY POWER FROM THE MOTOR. THE BLAZER STALLED AND MY DAUGHTER WHO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 12, 2006 · fire

2002 Chevrolet Blazer — common questions

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 301 complaints put the 2002 model at #12 of 46 Blazer years. It is one of the Blazer years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Blazer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (65 complaints), transmission (33 complaints), brakes (25 complaints).

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Blazer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Blazer years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 1994, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2020, 1992, 2002, 2019, 1991, 2021, 2003, 2004, 2022. The cleanest record among Blazer years belongs to 1975.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.