2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LXT from North America - Comments

I just want to add my 2002 TB to the group. It now has 95K miles, but the jet-engine sound began at about 45,000. The local GM service manager couldn't guarantee a new clutch fan would correct the problem. He said "it's the nature of the Beast"!!! I have also been plagued by wiring/electrical problems. The 4-wheel drive goes nuts in the rain--changing all by itself.

I have had numerous recalls repaired and I am still hoping GM will issue one for the fan clutch.

Even with all these problems, I have enjoyed the TB, but I will think long and hard before purchasing another GM product.

I would like to add my 2003 Trailblazer xlt to the list. I had my fan clutch repaired under warranty about 1 1/2 years ago and about 3 months ago it started doing the same ticking sound again. After taking it back to the dealership I was told that warrantywas out and they would not honor itor stand behindtheir previous rprs. Currently I am haggling with GM over this and they are giving me the run around. This will be the last GM vehicle I ever buy!

I have a 02 TB at 105k and had the problem since 90k though at first it would last for 2 days then it would go away for 3 weeks or so then the roar would start again. Now it is on all the time and every now and then it doesn't make the noise at all. I check the price for the fan clutch and it goes for $200. I have a friend that would help me with the labor, but told me to check to see if there is a recall as he heard that the a lot of TBs have the same problem.

I too need to be added to the list. My 2002 TB LTZ just had the jet engine kick on at 85,000 miles. I called the dealership after reading these comments and he told me that he could do nothing as far as warranty until GM was forced to make a recall, which they have stated they absolutely will not do. As soon as I can, this will be traded in for a Toyota.

Yup, got me one of those noisy fan clutches. Unfortunate, as the interior room of the 2002 TB is very nice to haul my audio gear around. My Dodge dually has over 165K miles on it. And looking at the estimates, I don’t think I’ve spent that much total on the Dodge. Well, outside of general maintenance.

First GM, and the last.

Thought I'd add my comments/experience concerning my '02 GMC Envoy. The arrival of the jet engine roar announced the failure of my fan clutch on Mar. 23rd. The vehicle only had 53k miles on it.

I knew that it wasn't a random maintenance issue so I went to the Internet to try and determine the problem. Needless to say, it didn't take long when you combine the comments here and on other sites.

Now having a pretty good idea of what the problem was, I started searching for TSB info. I wanted to do this first so I wouldn't get any run around from the dealer's service department. Sure enough, I found the following TSB summary which seemed to be spot on with what I was experiencing:

TSB #060602003 - "OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ELECTRO-VISCOUS (EV) FAN CLUTCH AND DIAGNOSTIC TIPS FOR COOLING FAN NOISE, DELAYED TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AND/OR ENGINE REVVING TOO HIGH. *TT"

Armed with this limited info, I drove to the dealer's service department and advised them of the car's problem and the suspected fan clutch. When I asked the service rep if they had heard of such a problem with the GM mid-sized SUV's, the guy said "Oh yeah," and pointed to Envoy XL which was parked next to one of the service bays. Turns out that that vehicle was in for the same thing - fan clutch. The rep told me that the fan clutch repair was a regular occurrence for them and that there was no know recall for the vehicle as it was not deemed a "safety" issue. I told him the hell it wasn't and cited the "delayed transmission shifts" which were particularly noticeable going uphill. I tried to show him my info concerning the TSB, but he told me that he didn't need to see it. I felt that that was a little odd. Anyway, as my vehicle was out of warranty, the cost for repair was $725.00.

There was no way I was gonna drop so much money on an engine repair at 53k miles, so I contacted GMC's customer service. I got a hold of a very nice rep and asked him if he had heard of any complaints concerning the vehicle's fan clutch. "Me personally? Not recently," was his response. At that time I knew that the manufacturer was completely aware of this problem and how widespread it was/is.

Wrapping this up, GMC's rep offered to pay 50% of the cost of parts and labor. I accepted the guy's offer (really had no choice) but told him that, as a first time GM owner, I was disappointed in how they deal with known problems with their vehicles and how they are ripping off consumers.

I picked up the vehicle from the dealer today and I'm happy to say that the problem has been repaired. Unfortunately, though, I believe that I've only bought myself 12 months until the problem reoccurs again. By this time next year, my Envoy will be sold and I'll be looking to by foreign.

Surprise, surprise... I have an 03 Trailblazer LTZ 60K miles that I just replaced the Front Differential, my service engine light comes on and off had tested twice told me it was a gas cap, but still comes on all the time. My service 4wd light came on today after just replacing the front diff. My car also sounds like a jet taking off so I am sure it is a clutch fan (rather convinced after reading this!) I am so upset words cannot express my frustration. My mechanic did tell me to hold on to my receipt because he believes the front diff will be a recall because of poor design and HOPEFULLY so will the clutch fan..

Just had my 2002 "747" Trailblazer LTZ fixed, 58,000 miles. The ol' clutch fan. Didn't bother with GM, just paid the $420.00 to a shop. Vehicle has a little more pep in her step and that noise is gone! However, there is a loud ticking noise at an idle. This is the one that's driving me crazy. Of course the dealer doesn't hear it! Imagine that! The mechanic that fixed the clutch fan did hear it and said that he hears it in a lot of Trailblazers. Does anyone have any input on this subject? I'd love to hear about it!!!

OK…add another to the long list of problems with the fan clutch on the 2002 trailblazer LTZ. Our (roar) problem started several years ago at ~30K miles and was only noticeable occasionally, but now the fan clutch won’t engage at all (no roar, but also no A/C when it is hot). So be warned that when the roar goes away, you are likely to face other problems with the A/C. Today, we have to drive at highway speed before the A/C will start to cool. Count us amongst the many that will never buy another GM vehicle. Can someone give the phone number or E-mail address of the GM rep that can help deal with this problem?

I contacted GM to ask about this fan-clutch problem. The rep refused to even acknowledge that a problem even existed. No TSB's have been issued for our TB LTZ so it must not be a problem. Also, GM does not recognize web sites where customers can actually share the details of problems seen on specific vehicles. Count us amongst the many that will never buy another GM product (Can you say Honda).

My wife called me the other day and said her truck would not go. So, I went to check it out and found the transmission fluid was almost a quart low. No leaks anywhere? Told her she probably burned up the transmission. One month later she called me again saying it was making an awful noise and would not go again. I drove it and told her I thought it was the fan. So, this was my next step. I'm not surprised that everyone else is having so many problems. That's the reason I drive a TOYOTA...hahahahaha!!!

2003 trailblazer around 50000 miles. Add another bad fan to the list.

2003 Trailblazer LT.

Service 4 wheel drive light. At the dealers 8 times before corrected.

Replaced transmission. $3000

Replaced fan clutch. Parts only, my labor $392

Rear window wiper doesn't operate any more.

A/C condensate drain leaks into passengers side. Three times to the dealer and never repaired, only slowed down.

Drivers side headlight replaced.

Drivers side passenger tailight replaced.

I believe in American made products, but, I am slowing turning to foriegn competition.

Add another 2002 TB fan clutch to the list.

The service engine light is on and read high fan speed at the shop. I'm going to have a little fun with this...

Well my 02 TB LTZ just became a 747 three days ago. At first I was unsure exactly what the problem could be, as I have had no problems with it to date. After reading this site, I was convinced as to what it could be, and my assumptions were confirmed yesterday afternoon. Luckily I know someone who will do the labor for only $50, however, the fan clutch cost me $279. I am out $330 for a small part. I highly doubt GM will ever issue a recall on this as American auto designs have drastically gone down hill in the last ten years. Buy foreign, buy quality.