2.7
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 54,128 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Just as many other 2002 Chevy Trailblazer owners have found, one day there was a loud fan noise when accelerating, reduced gas mileage, and a lack of ability to accelerate that lasts for about a mile. After a few minutes of searching on the internet it is apparent that my problem is the fan clutch, tsb 060602003, NHTSA 10019510. It appears that thousands of owners are having the same problems and have been for years but there is still no recall. Although this problem is intermittent at this time it almost caused a serious accident the first time it happened. I was merging onto a highway and couldn't get the engine over 30 miles per hour. We were nearly rear-ended. I have copies of at least a thousand internet complaints with the first one posted around November 2001 --- just about the time we purchased the vehicle new. (if you don't know it already there are websites just for the purpose of complaining about the Chevy Trailblazer!!!) I can't believe that GM would turn away from it's customers like this! I certainly doesn't make me want to purchase american made again!
- Mcfarland, WI, USA
The electrical gauges on our 2002 Chevy Trailblazer did not function properly when the fan clutch failed, leading to engine overheating. The overheated engine blew the head gasket before the engine itself blew up. My husband was had just backed out of the driveway and had driven about 200 yards when this happened. It is important to note that warning systems malfunctioned: There were no lights, bells or any indication that complete engine failure was imminent. There wasn't even the odor of an overheated engine. If this had happened on our local freeway I could be suing GM over my husband's injury or death.
- Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Loud roaring noise that sounds like a jet plane. Was intermittent, but now constantly. The noise is even louder when you accelerate. The fan is turning at an astronomical rate of speed and gas mileage now is only about 9 mpg. Right before this constant jet plane sound started, the battery blew up. Yes, blew up! and the truck would die if the A/C was turned on. The dealer told me it was the water pump and the pulley and belt also need to be replaced. I have no idea what a water pump has to do with any of this, but $711 later I still have the problem.
- Houston, TX, USA
- 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer - Trailblazer ascender cooling fan clutch & speed sensor assembly. - loud noise coming from cooling fan. While under warranty was told by dealer that the noise was normal and that there were no problems. After warranty expired the fan clutch failed and was then told that the noise was not normal and that this SUV has a major problem with the fan clutch. Dealer stated that even though this is a part with a very high failure rate it is not a recall item.
- Palatka, FL, USA
I got in the car to go to work the other day and as soon as I put the car in drive and stepped on the gas it made a loud fan noise that made the car sound like an airplane taking off. This was the first time the car had ever made that noise. I drove the car around that day before getting it to a mechanic. The mechanic said it was the fan clutch that needed to be replaced. I believe they said it was an electronic relay, which was why it cost $600 to replace. The SUV was a 2002 model and had 57,500 miles on it.
- Conway, AR, USA
Doors rattle and shift while driving down the road. The windows also rattle, particularly on the drivers side, front and back. Also, the air/heat blower is stuck on #4. it won't blow on any other settings
- Grove City, OH, USA
I had the fan clutch replaced on my 02 Trailblazer at 75,000 miles. The clutch fan sticking, making a very loud roaring noise that the dealership calls normal. The fan had been doing this virtually since new purchase, but only occasionally and always went away quickly. Nothing I could demonstrate to the service department. Until it failed.
- Fayette, MO, USA
I own a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer and recently experienced loud, roaring noise from engine coupled with reduced power and very poor gas mileage. Took the vehicle to a dealer and confirmed the fan clutch had failed. Dealer quote was $637.50 to repair. I ultimately purchased the part online and had it installed by a local mechanic and saved myself around $260. Vehicle runs fine now. I cannot believe GM has not issued a recall for this issue. A simple internet search will return hundreds of posts related to the fan clutch failure. Very disappointing.
- Westminster, MD, USA
: the contact stated while pulling out of the driveway at 5 mph, a loud noise was heard. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the cooling fan needed to be replaced.
- Columbia, SC, USA
My 2002 Trailblazer sounds like a jet engine when preparing to start out in the drive position at all times no matter when speed you start out in. The auto mechanic I took it to several times said it would cost hundreds to replace the clutch fan to see if this would fix the problem possibly more and it is using way too much gas now.
- Starr, SC, USA
: the contact stated after starting the vehicle, the fan clutch would not disengage. The dealer determined the fan clutch needed to be replaced.
- Sulphur, OK, USA
When I first bought my 2002 Trailblazer, the fan clutch would occasionally be fully engaged when I started the truck in the morning. It usually resumed normal function within a mile or so. As of yesterday, it will not disengage and the check engine light came on. It sounds like the labor to replace this clutch is very high. I'm not sure if I dare tackle this myself, but the thought of paying $700 to replace something that shouldn't fail at 47,000 miles is disgusting.
- Prior Lake, MN, USA
2002 Chevy Trailblazer has a serious fan clutch problem. Vehicle has 52,000 miles. The clutch fan stays engaged at any speed, vehicle will suddenly loose acceleration and also gets poor gas mileage. Check engine light eventually came on about 2 weeks after the vehicle stated to sound like a tank. Will take this to a local mechanic as based off of the amount of complaints on the web with other people having the same problem, and the dealer charging $700 to repair when the part can actually be purchased locally for $229. There are definite problems with this and based off of all the other complaints GM is well aware that there is a problem, and will do nothing about it.
- Coventry, RI, USA
Own 2002 Chevy Trailblazer which I purchased used in May 2004 with approx. 35-37,000 miles on it. Driven on highway 5 days a week 61 miles round trip to work. Vehicle developed loud roaring noise, poor acceleration, increased gas usage within the last year which initially was occasional but as of yesterday became non-stop. Service engine light came on. Nearly hit from behind due to inability to accelerate when merging into traffic. Diagnostic code PO495 which ended up being fan clutch. Part at parts store was $217.99 w/tax. Afraid to take to dealership as multiple other owners with same problems paid $600+ for repairs with majority being labor. Frequency of fan clutch problems by other owners makes it apparent it should have been a recall by GM.
- England, AR, USA
Engine fan noisy... runs too fast/high. A couple mechanics have said fan clutch is the problem and needs to be replaced. Transmission doesn't seem to shift smoothly... and seems to be related to this engine fan speed.
- Smiths Grove, KY, USA
The fan clutch on my '02 Trailblazer is starting to go bad, with engine roaring at intermittent times, per the dealer, who refuses to warranty it, even the vehicle has less than 17K on it. It is out of warranty by 8 or so months. GM has sent the wrong message. Called Chevy, their ears are closed although they offered a maintenance deal if I would say I am satisfied. Such a deal since their service prices are sky-high. Unacceptable.
- E. Moline, IL, USA
Fan clutch totally failed. No prior warning, fan clutch failed causing the Trailblazer to lose ability to gain speed/power.
- Ashburn, VA, USA
My 2002 Trailblazer with 70,000 (just outside of warranty) has a bad fan clutch. The dealer is trying to charge me $500 for a part that costs $230 at multiple local parts stores. My complaint, however, stems from the fact that a 5 minute internet search yielded 8 other Trailblazer owners who have had this exact problem. All 8 of the cars has less than 80,000 miles. This is obviously a problem that GM needs to react to and issue an optional recall.
- Macon, GA, USA
Thermostatic-controlled clutch on radiator cooling fan was not disengaging and "service engine soon" warning lamp was lighted. "on-star" service probe confirmed problem in power train/cooling system. Dealer confirmed defective cooling fan clutch and replaced fan clutch assembly. This is a SUV that rarely sees travel off of paved roads. All service performed at dealership. Cooling fan clutch should not be failing at 57,520 miles. "goodwill warranty" covered most of repair expense.
- Keizer, OR, USA
- Lafollette, TN, USA