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2002 Chevrolet Blazer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Blazer years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 32.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

143 reports with mileage · 103 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

Steering complaints

14 reports
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108,735 miles · Mar 7, 2016
Air BagsSteeringSuspensionCrash

"TAKATA RECALL" VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO ONLY GO RIGHT AND I COULDN'T TURN LEFT AND ENDED UP HITTING THE GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ANY RECALL SO I WENT TO JUNKYARD TO GET WHOLE FRONT END, FENDERS, HOOD AND PRETTY MUCH EVERY THING ON FRONT OF VEHICLE EXCEPT F…

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"TAKATA RECALL" VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO ONLY GO RIGHT AND I COULDN'T TURN LEFT AND ENDED UP HITTING THE GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ANY RECALL SO I WENT TO JUNKYARD TO GET WHOLE FRONT END, FENDERS, HOOD AND PRETTY MUCH EVERY THING ON FRONT OF VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR MOTOR. BUT DID REPLACE FAN ON MOTOR. COST IN PARTS ONLY WAS APPROX. $700.00 (HAVE RECEIPTS). NOT INCLUDING LABOR! & TIME AND COST SPENT NOT HAVING A VEHICLE UNTIL FIXED. ALSO NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!

NHTSA ODI #10840408

145,000 miles · Jan 5, 2011
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND STARTED TO FISH TALE AND SPIN OUT, SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT LOCKUP THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DO A 270 SPIN THEN GO BACKWARDS HITTING THE CURB, FLIPPING THE VEHICLE ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE, CAUSING IT TO ROLL. BECAUSE THE SHOULDER…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND STARTED TO FISH TALE AND SPIN OUT, SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT LOCKUP THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DO A 270 SPIN THEN GO BACKWARDS HITTING THE CURB, FLIPPING THE VEHICLE ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE, CAUSING IT TO ROLL. BECAUSE THE SHOULDER WAS AN EMBANKMENT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED ONTO THE TOP THEN ROLLED BACK DOWN ONTO IT'S WHEELS. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST FACING THE WRONG WAY ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COST OF FIXING THE DAMAGE EXCEED VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCUR EARLIER JUST AS A SPIN OUT (OCT. 2010 ?), STEERING LOCKUP AFTER TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION HAD SOME OIL ON THE ROAD FROM A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT (NOT RELATED TO US); HOWEVER, SHE RECOVER FROM THE SPIN AND JUST TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART THE VEHICLE UNLOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS ASSUME THAT THE SPIN AND LOCKUP WAS FROM THE OIL ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10375728

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2006
SteeringCrashInjury

MY WIFE AT THAT TIME GOT IN TO AN ACCIDENT IN A CHEVY BLAZER ON NOV 11, 2002, ON EL PASO, TX. WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS LOST DUE TO A STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I BUY IT. THE COMPANY DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT PAY THE RIGHT AMOUNT I LOST A LOT OF…

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MY WIFE AT THAT TIME GOT IN TO AN ACCIDENT IN A CHEVY BLAZER ON NOV 11, 2002, ON EL PASO, TX. WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS LOST DUE TO A STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I BUY IT. THE COMPANY DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT PAY THE RIGHT AMOUNT I LOST A LOT OF MONEY IN LAWYERS AND NOTHING WAS SOLVED, JUST ME LOSING MORE MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO DEMAND COMPENSATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10163152

12,000 miles · Apr 1, 2004
SteeringCrash

WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AS RESULT THE CONSUMER HIT A LIGHT POLE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10054203

17,210 miles · Jan 18, 2004
Steering

STEERING COMPONENT FAILURE (TIE ROD ENDS OUTER) AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. *CB

NHTSA ODI #10054419

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2003
Steering

STEERING ON 2002 BLAZER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10008392

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Steering

CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE FOR TIRE ROTATION, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE INNER TIRE ROD WAS WORN OUT PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED CASE #1-476-936-39 PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA ODI #8024022

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2002
Steering

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE FAIL CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

NHTSA ODI #8022384

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2002
SteeringInjury

FINGERS BENT AND TWISTED TO CONFORM TO THE STEERING WHEEL. INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS ARE BENT AND TWISTED TOWARDS THE BABY FINGERS. THUMBS ARE BENT AWAY FROM HANDS. INFORMATION SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OD DR. SAUVE BY MIKE TOMICH 989-665-2311. DT

NHTSA ODI #768826

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2002
SteeringSuspension

STREERING OF MY TRAILER BLAZER IS VAGUE AND NOT RESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL AT HIGHER RATE OF SPEED, ESPECIALLY AROUND 65MPH. THE REAR SUSPENSION FEEL SOFT AND SLIDES WHEN MAKING QUICK MOVEMENTS LEFT OR RIGHT IN THE STREERING. THE STREERING AT LOWER SPEEDS FEELS SOFT WITH PLAY IN THE CONTROL. OTHER VEHICLES TEST D…

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STREERING OF MY TRAILER BLAZER IS VAGUE AND NOT RESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL AT HIGHER RATE OF SPEED, ESPECIALLY AROUND 65MPH. THE REAR SUSPENSION FEEL SOFT AND SLIDES WHEN MAKING QUICK MOVEMENTS LEFT OR RIGHT IN THE STREERING. THE STREERING AT LOWER SPEEDS FEELS SOFT WITH PLAY IN THE CONTROL. OTHER VEHICLES TEST DRIVEN DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. YOU CAN NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE IMMEDIATELY. ON WINDY DAYS THE CAR MOVES CONSTANTLY AND THE STREERING IS DELAYED IN CORRECTING THE PUSH. THE VEHICLE SLIDES TO MUCH BEFORE THE STREERING CORRECTS IT. HENCE THE VAGUE AND DELAYED RESPONSE OF THE STREERING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #766474

Official recalls

2

08V231000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

May 21, 2008

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 & remedy

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).

01V364000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

Dec 3, 2001

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

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.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ08001 · Hazard Light Switch Failure

Opened Feb 28, 2008 · Closed Jul 9, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:unit

ON NOVEMBER 30, 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL 01V-364 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 16, 1999 AND AUGUST 28, 2001 TO REMEDY A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH THAT WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF HAZARD AND STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION.THE HAZARD SWITCH IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE VEHICLE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON REPORTS THAT SOME CONSUMERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL OR THAT THEY HAD REPAIRS DONE UNDER 01V-364 BUT EXPERIENCED SUBSEQUENT MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURES.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH SUPPORTS THE OPERATION OF CRUISE CONTROL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND TURN SIGNALS IN ADDITION TO HAZARD AND STOP LAMPS. ON MAY 21, 2008, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT ERRONEOUSLY MISSED IDENTIFYING 5,862 VEHICLES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL 01V-364.GM WILL NOW NOTIFY OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES UNDER A NEW NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-231.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 17.THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF BRAKE LAMP FAILURE WAS A DESIGN CHANGE FROM COPPER TO BRASS CONTACT MATERIAL IN THE HAZARD SWITCH.THIS CHANGE WAS EFFECTIVE FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER SEPTEMBER 16, 1999.GM CHANGED THE MATERIAL BACK TO COPPER FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 28, 2001. THE REMEDY PART FOR BOTH 01V-364 AND 08V-231 CONTAINS COPPER CONTACTS.GM'S DATA SHOWS THAT LESS THAN 1% OF VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 01V-364 REQUIRED ADDITIONAL SUBSEQUENT REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD OR MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

ON NOVEMBER 30, 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL 01V-364 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 16, 1999 AND AUGUST 28, 2001 TO REMEDY A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH THAT WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF HAZARD AND STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION.THE HAZARD SWITCH IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE VEHICLE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON REPORTS THAT SOME CONSUMERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL OR THAT THEY HAD REPAIRS DONE UNDER 01V-364 BUT EXPERIENCED SUBSEQUENT MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURES.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH SUPPORTS THE OPERATION OF CRUISE CONTROL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND TURN SIGNALS IN ADDITION TO HAZARD AND STOP LAMPS. ON MAY 21, 2008, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT ERRONEOUSLY MISSED IDENTIFYING 5,862 VEHICLES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL 01V-364.GM WILL NOW NOTIFY OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES UNDER A NEW NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-231.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 17.THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF BRAKE LAMP FAILURE WAS A DESIGN CHANGE FROM COPPER TO BRASS CONTACT MATERIAL IN THE HAZARD SWITCH.THIS CHANGE WAS EFFECTIVE FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER SEPTEMBER 16, 1999.GM CHANGED THE MATERIAL BACK TO COPPER FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 28, 2001. THE REMEDY PART FOR BOTH 01V-364 AND 08V-231 CONTAINS COPPER CONTACTS.GM'S DATA SHOWS THAT LESS THAN 1% OF VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 01V-364 REQUIRED ADDITIONAL SUBSEQUENT REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD OR MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:unit

ON NOVEMBER 30, 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL 01V-364 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 16, 1999 AND AUGUST 28, 2001 TO REMEDY A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH THAT WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF HAZARD AND STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION.THE HAZARD SWITCH IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE VEHICLE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON REPORTS THAT SOME CONSUMERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL OR THAT THEY HAD REPAIRS DONE UNDER 01V-364 BUT EXPERIENCED SUBSEQUENT MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURES.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH SUPPORTS THE OPERATION OF CRUISE CONTROL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND TURN SIGNALS IN ADDITION TO HAZARD AND STOP LAMPS. ON MAY 21, 2008, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT ERRONEOUSLY MISSED IDENTIFYING 5,862 VEHICLES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL 01V-364.GM WILL NOW NOTIFY OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES UNDER A NEW NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-231.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 17.THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF BRAKE LAMP FAILURE WAS A DESIGN CHANGE FROM COPPER TO BRASS CONTACT MATERIAL IN THE HAZARD SWITCH.THIS CHANGE WAS EFFECTIVE FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER SEPTEMBER 16, 1999.GM CHANGED THE MATERIAL BACK TO COPPER FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 28, 2001. THE REMEDY PART FOR BOTH 01V-364 AND 08V-231 CONTAINS COPPER CONTACTS.GM'S DATA SHOWS THAT LESS THAN 1% OF VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 01V-364 REQUIRED ADDITIONAL SUBSEQUENT REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD OR MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.