Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Name: 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Brand: Chevrolet

RECALL ALERT: There are 14 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 14 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 14 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 14 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

First Take

This midsized SUV was introduced as a 2002 model. A 4.2-liter, 270-hp inline six-cylinder is the only available engine. The TrailBlazer accelerates enthusiastically and offers a compliant, if slightly jiggly, ride. Its handling, however, is ungainly, with excessive body lean and slow steering. Stability control might help tame the twitchy rear end, but it's not offered. Braking is unimpressive. The TrailBlazer's interior is mostly quiet, but wind noise is pronounced. Front-seat comfort is only mediocre, and the seat-mounted front safety belts are a nuisance. An extended-length, seven-passenger TrailBlazer EXT is also available.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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2002 SUVs Reliability

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Chevrolet TrailBl...

Chevrolet TrailBlazer

vs. Similar Cars

Ford Explorer

Toyota 4Runner

Toyota Highlander

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Marginal

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Marginal

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Worse Better

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

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Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

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Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Marginal

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2002 Midsized SUVs 3-row Ratings

2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

$3,350 - $3,750

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Ford Explorer

$3,100 - $4,600

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Nissan Pathfinder

$3,050 - $4,150

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Toyota 4Runner

$5,350 - $6,800

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Toyota Highlander

$5,200 - $5,450

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Midsized SUVs 3-row Ratings

Seating

2 front, 3 rear, 2 third

Drive Wheels

4WD, Rear

Warranty

Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

4-door SUV

4-speed Automatic

4.2-liter 6 (270 hp)

Model History

2021-

Current Generation

Chevrolet resurrected the Trailblazer name for the 2021 model year, positioning this subcompact SUV between the Trax and the Equinox. It also shares a platform with the Buick Encore GX. Base models get a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo engine. All-wheel-drive as well as a larger 155-hp, 1.3-liter and a nine-speed automatic are also offered. The 1.3-liter is responsive and fuel efficient. For its small footprint, the Trailblazer provides ample room but thick roof pillars and the lack of a third side window compromise rear and side visibility. The ride is decent but handling is rather clumsy. Road noise is pronounced. Standard active safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance. It also offers optional blind spot and rear cross traffic warning.

2002-2020

2002 Redesign Year

The TrailBlazer feels underpowered with its inline six-cylinder engine, but it offers a compliant--if somewhat jiggly--ride. Handling is ungainly, with excessive body lean and slow steering. We also found the brakes unimpressive in our tests. Wind noise is pronounced and the seat-mounted seat belts are awkward to use. Electronic stability-control became standard starting in 2006, which made emergency handling more secure. The EXT version, which offered seating for seven, was discontinued after 2006, and the entire model line was dropped after 2009.