Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
39283928A10020914Bind or shudder on turns. *kb01/29/2007
05023500608/01/200510017371Hiss/rush noise from steering (strg) column area. *tt11/04/2005
04023200108/01/2007040232001C10012694Release of steering gear stub shaft bearing kit for service. *tt updated 08-15-07. *kb updated 10/09/07. *nj03/10/2005
327410011719Installation of a power steering hose to a new steering gear. *eh01/31/2005
328010011760Steering noise when turning. this service bulletin supplements 040232007. *eh01/31/2005
03023500612/01/200410005165Revised steering wheel replacement procedure. *tt02/10/2004
020235006A03/01/200302023500610001270Squeak, rub / scrub type noise in steering column. *tt04/25/2003
STEERING - COLUMN
02053500610/01/200210000175Squeak noise in steering column. *tt02/14/2003

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
STEERING
PE02036GENERAL MOTORS CORP.03/18/200210/03/2002PINCHER/CHAFED WIRING
 Allege that the steering column harness may become pinched, chafed, or cut and result in loss of function of certain safety devices.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
01/20/201230000
 I have had multiple issues with my 2002 chevy trailblazer where the 4x4 selector switch will not work, or while driving at highway speeds the vehicle will be put into four wheel drive while the selector switch is still turned on two wheel drive. the selector switch at times has not worked when i wanted to make the vehicle go into four wheel drive. i have found out the vehicle is in four wheel drive by having a hard time turning the front wheels and seeing the front tires spin on loose gravel even though i never switched the vehicle into four wheel drive and the selector switch states it's still in two wheel drive but the yellow light is lit up that it's in four wheel drive. i have complained multiple times to gm and have had the selector switch replaced 3 times but it still continues to happen. everytime that gm looks at it they say that it is working just fine. i have seen and heard that many other people are having the same problems with this. i feel there should be a safety recall put out for this drive selector switch.
12/05/2011
 When i first purchased the vehicle a couple days later i noticed the steering columns ability to turn was very hard and making loud noises. i fought continuously with the dealership to fix the issue and finally after several attempts they agreed to fix it. then 2 months later were driving my son to the airport and the car stopped and began to smoke, come to find out the radiator had a hole in it and there was some type of temporary stop leak stuff put in it to allow a consumer to drive for a short amount of time before the problem would arise again. so now my family and i are out of transportation and im still paying a car note on this vehicle, i feel totally taken advantage of and wonder how any dealer can go to sleep at night knowing they've been deceptive in the saling of a vehicle to a family. the truck is my children and i only way of getting around and its hard enough on me as a single mother, this is just one more problem i didnt anticipate, that was why i use grant money that i received from school to purchase (what i though) was going to be reliable transportation. this situation has really been a burden and hardship for us, especially trying to figure out how were going to get from one place to another..im so frustrated and saddened by the dealerships neglect, non concern, and not properly fixing vehicles before marketing them.i would like to know what i can do about this matter because i brought the car without a warranty and it was used. please help!!!!!!
08/19/20091730851
 Details: i have a 2002 chevy trailblazer. when i press on the accelerator the vehicle will lose power for a moment and regain power in heavy traffic. also, the service engine light will come on. i took this vehicle to a service center and they told me the repairs that it supposedly needed . everything from the fuel pump to every sensor that you can think of . now it seems to be something with the electrical system. i have already replaced the whole steering collum and everything that they suggested . but the problem with the vehicle did not change. this vehicle has been doing this for 8 months with . i believe that there is a electrical issue somewhere in my vehicle. somebody help! *tr
05/01/2008850001
 First: thank you. i am a trooper for the colorado state patrol and certified car seat tech. love your work. my own personal vehicle, a 2002 chevy trailblazer, has a defect with the front differential. there is a leak from the seam, from the case itself. a mechanic friend stated it is a defect in the housing itself, the punkin (?) it causes leaks and needs to have fluid constantly added. the vehicle was primarily used in the denver metro area until this year (ie, high salt/mag chloride areas). the housing itself needs to be replaced, and i was wondering/hoping this was something chevy needs to correct via recall versus something that normally happens (which i have never had on any other vehicle i've owned). this vehicle has been updated when previous recalls came out, has not been in an accident that might have caused the defect, and is not driven heavily or offroad. it is a continuous leak. i am concerned the casing itself will break and do more damage soon, especially if i was driving with my family in the vehicle on the highway. thank you for you time. *tr
05/15/2008704141
 I bought the 2002 trailblazer on february 2008 drove it for about a month and a half total the rest of the time it has been back to the dealership for repairs. everything including the motor needed to be replaced, the transmission needs to be replaced just accelerated onto the gas heard a loud crack and the truck shook like an earthquake had hit, lost acceleration would not go any faster than 30-35 miles an hour and car would not disengage from neutral at first and the would not go into reverse., brakes have made a pulsation feeling and they were done days before i bought the vehicle and replaced again including rotors a month after i bought the vehicle, there have been too many crackling and metallic tinging noises that don't go away, the 4 wheel drive engages and disengages on it's own when driving 65-70 miles an hour. the steering wheel had a constant rubbing noise and dealer told me all of my complaints were nothing detrimental and basically blew me off. the truck jerks alot on it's own doesn't matter if i am in motion or if i put it into gear or park it jerks. i don't feel safe in this vehicle, it seems to be possessed. i am scared to death to drive it, so i have stopped driving it. i don't know what to do. my first car was a chevy and now this one, i will never own another chevy product. i don't know what to do, i don't want this. i fear my own and everyone else's life!! *tr
10/04/200755000107/22/2002
 Transmission has failed at 55,000 miles, not driving car but was about to run errands. have had to replace power steering block, alternator, starter, tail lights, instrument panel, radio and electric on a car that is just over 5 years old. the instrument panel, power steering block and transmission are all not under warranty. *jb
11/29/20043500020011/26/2004
 Sharp turn steering locks up. passenger seat belt gets tighter and tighter doesn't release pressure. 4 wheel drive not working . tapping sound in engine. the only thing the dealer has done is replace power steering pump and within 5 miles it was not working again. *jb
01/01/19011
 Consumer was ejected from the vehicle after it over turned twice as a result of defective steering. *ph while driving the consumer noticed that the vehicle was going off the road to the right. the consumer overcorrected the steering wheel and the car subsequently went too far over to the left with the right side front and rear wheels in the air. the consumer then corrected to the right and the left side tires came off the road. the vehicle then went into a skid off the right side of the road and struck an embankment. the vehicle struck an embankment and the consumer's chest hit the steering wheel. the impact bent the steering wheel and rendered the consumer unconscious. the vehicle the overturned 1-2 times and the consumer was ejected from the vehicle. the consumer sustained rib fractures, joint separation, upper and lower back injuries. *nm
01/01/19011
 Vehicle's steering and brakes suddenly went out.*mr while driving 50 mph the vehicle's steering and brakes suddenly failed which caused loss of control. the vehicle spun around once and hit the highway divider head on. the driver sustained injuries from the accident and was treated fro several months by a doctor. *nm
06/15/200460000105/21/2003
 While driving 40 mph steering pulley failed. vehicle lost power. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the vehicle switches itself into 4-wheel drive while the manual switch is in 2-wheel drive. the taillights failed. at new computer had to be installed. the rack and pinion needs to be replaced.
09/01/2003107/23/2002
 Consumer lost steering and hit a tree head on. in addition, the seat belt failed to lock causing injuries to the consumer (driver). (lawyer on behalf of client rebecca doyle). *la the airbag also burned/injured the passenger. the vehicle experienced electrical problems with the brake lights, tail lights, fuel gauge, left seat belt, dash (computer readout) and the brakes pulled. *sc *jb
07/28/2003111/19/2001
 Consumer stated that while driving, they lost steering control causing an accident. dealer notified. *ph consumer was cut off by a truck losing control. regained control then brakes felt like a lack of pressure. steering loosened then locked up causing the consumer to spin out of control. gm stated there were no recalls. consumer and the insurance company feels there is. insurance co. stated it could've been the vacuum to the engine shutting down or the lower control panel snapping which causes these symptoms. *ph
06/05/20031
 The steering wheel was making loud noise and then locked up. *jb
01/28/200346523103/08/2001
 The power steering was disabled and was very difficult to steer vehicle. we took it to our service person who contacted a gm dealer, ewald of oconomowoc, wi. they told us to bring the vehicle in to the dealership. while driving to the dealership thepower steering returned to use.
 While vehicle was being driven, the steering wheel became very hard. ph
46000
 Bob valiant auto mall, jerry brown rd., mystic ct. 860-536-4931. took vehicle in for recall 02 v 286 000., consumer states after vehicle was taken apart mechanic stated that an additional part was needed and would not be available for maybe a week or two. please provide any further information. ph
102/28/2001
 Consumer has concerns about the steering feeling funny and acting different. *slc
STEERING - COLUMN
04/19/200580000408/09/2002
 Noises coming from underneath the suv ,check engine light constantly came on and one night i was going around 55 mph my 15 yr old daughter,we heard a loud pop it sound like we had hit something in the road so i stop to see what it was, we saw nothing but the squeaking sound from under the suv got louder some day later jumped in the car started the car and there was that loud sound again only this time the suv would not move in reverse i could hear some spinning like noise so i took it to a shop and i was told that the transmission was striped out in reverse, and that some shaft had broken or something, the mechanic also told me that he had several people come in with the same problem the same model trailblazer 2002 what hurt me so bad is this was my first brand new car, i only had it for two years, and if i every buy another car it want be from gm, i also had problems with my tailgate lamps ,windshield wipers,steering column. *nm
STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
11/09/200371003
 When turning the steering wheel towards the right steering locks. *ak *ph
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
04/14/200685975106/14/2003
 I noticed my vehicle was leaking oil on my driveway so i decided to take it to get it checked out as i was on my way to the lube n oil i went to turn and my power steering locked up almost caused me to crash when i took it to the lube n oil they checked it out and said its not the engine oil its your power steering that's leaking and it has all leaked out. so they took it over to the shop but after 2 hrs waiting they could not figure out what is wrong im very upset that this would happen to a car that is only a few years old i will have to take my vehicle in on monday to have it checked. *nm
04/06/2004195328
 While driving 40 mph, the engine light illuminated, then the vehicle stalled. this caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle, hitting a wall. the consumer had the vehicle towed. the dealership tried to repair the vehicle 7 times, but did not resolve the problem. the air bag also failed to deploy during the accident. *ak the pcm failed due to a circuit inside, fluid leaked from the power steering hose, the engine revved high and was loud when the vehicle was started, the consumer saw sparks under the hood fuse block at the same time the gauges fluctuated and shorted, the right rear tail lights were inoperative, and the fuel gauge made a whirring sound when the vehicle was started. *sc *jb *cb
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
10/13/200438000106/10/2002
 Power steering pump shalt broke causing failure of power steering. *ak
12/15/200338000107/01/2002
 Power steering pump failed while the driver was making a right turn. although the driver was turning steering wheel to the right the vehicle continued to go straight in oncoming traffic. the driver was able to avoid a collision. *ak *nm
01/28/200346523103/08/2001
 The power steering was disabled and was very difficult to steer vehicle. we took it to our service person who contacted a gm dealer, ewald of oconomowoc, wi. they told us to bring the vehicle in to the dealership. while driving to the dealership thepower steering returned to use.
11/26/2001
 Power steering pump failed while driving at highway speed of 55 mph. dealer notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
05/13/2003123951507/12/2003
 The power steering failed multiple times, even after multiple repairs. the vehicle had been for repairs five times for the same problem. *ak *sc
01/28/200346523103/08/2001
 The power steering was disabled and was very difficult to steer vehicle. we took it to our service person who contacted a gm dealer, ewald of oconomowoc, wi. they told us to bring the vehicle in to the dealership. while driving to the dealership thepower steering returned to use.
12/24/200211040310/17/2001
 The engine made a rumbling/clicking sound, shut off suddenly, the power steering had gone out, and the power brakes failed. the dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. ts
03/21/2002112/11/2001
 While driving about 60-65 mph and without warning power steering went out/ , resulting in a collision.*ak consumer stated the tire deflated and the passenger side door glasss shattered. *mj
STEERING - LINKAGES
02/01/200874100101/17/2008
 My family and self were returning from a same day trip when with out warning, our 2002 chevy trailblazer ls steering locked up and it left me with no control of the vehicle, i've driven in all kinds of conditions without incident or accident but on this day i could not avoid going off the road into a ditch. thank god my family was just shaken up badly but no personal injuries i however did smack my head on steering wheel and am currently being seen by family doctor we love this vehicle and just purchased it not two weeks ago. the reason for this grievance is simply that when contacting service department were we purchased said vehicle, was treated as if we made up the whole thing and accused of driver error, called liars, and basically treated with total indifference to a situation were things could have been a terrible loss of life, please assist my family and i in getting this situation investigated with a dealer ship that has no regard for the truth only in the all mighty dollar. also the man my wife spoke with threatened us to find a attorney that will believe our b.s. please help us with this situation in so we don't have to sue a company whom has a employee that's simply put a parasite that has no regard for others period.. thank you for your time and effort on these matters. *tr
06/25/2002
 At 15-20 mph vehicle started bucking. was towed to dealer, who stated that tie rod had broken. please indicate inner or end tie rod.*ak
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
02/01/200874100101/17/2008
 My family and self were returning from a same day trip when with out warning, our 2002 chevy trailblazer ls steering locked up and it left me with no control of the vehicle, i've driven in all kinds of conditions without incident or accident but on this day i could not avoid going off the road into a ditch. thank god my family was just shaken up badly but no personal injuries i however did smack my head on steering wheel and am currently being seen by family doctor we love this vehicle and just purchased it not two weeks ago. the reason for this grievance is simply that when contacting service department were we purchased said vehicle, was treated as if we made up the whole thing and accused of driver error, called liars, and basically treated with total indifference to a situation were things could have been a terrible loss of life, please assist my family and i in getting this situation investigated with a dealer ship that has no regard for the truth only in the all mighty dollar. also the man my wife spoke with threatened us to find a attorney that will believe our b.s. please help us with this situation in so we don't have to sue a company whom has a employee that's simply put a parasite that has no regard for others period.. thank you for your time and effort on these matters. *tr
11/11/2005101/22/2002
 Tie rods, multiple transmission module problems, airbag, taillights, stop, turn signal rear problem, electrical/ wiring,radio, hvac, pressure control,2 batteries, 2 fan clutches, among other problems. *jb
07/14/200448006403/01/2003
 When driving at any speed vehicle vibrated in the front. the consumer took the vehicle to a service dealership for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the front tie rods needed to be replaced. *ak the defective tie rods caused misalignment, which lead to excessive tire wear. (this all had to be replaced in the front only) *sc
06/02/200442000105/01/2002
 Tie rod ends wore out at 42000 miles. *ak *sc *jb
STEERING - RACK AND PINION
06/15/200460000105/21/2003
 While driving 40 mph steering pulley failed. vehicle lost power. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the vehicle switches itself into 4-wheel drive while the manual switch is in 2-wheel drive. the taillights failed. at new computer had to be installed. the rack and pinion needs to be replaced.
06/30/20031800015008/18/2002
 Whining heard from engine area after warm up. heard from 2000 rpm and up during acceleration. after reaching desired speed (city, highway, or rural) and maintaining steady speed noise goes away. sounds like a imminent steering rack failure as dealer has changed p/s pump, changed fluid, and flushed lines trying to correct problem to no avail. happens upon every start and accelerate. *ak
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
412/17/2001
 Upon starting vehicle, the electrical system malfunctioned, causing the headlights, radio, and the dashboard lights to short out. this happened several times. the consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer and they changed the sensors, however it did not solve the problem. *ak there was noise in the steering wheel. the consumer was told that the problem was a characteristic. the hatch lock did not work, and the rear windshield wiper did not work. the oxygen sensor was changed twice along with the seat belt switch, the key lock on the driver door, battery, and the wiring harness. *scc also the cup holder broke. *jb
08/17/2002
 There is a noise that comes from steering when the consumer is making a turn, contacted dealer, and the dealer replaced steering column and gears in steering.*ak
06/02/200202/01/2002
 Had noticed that the steering wheel felt as if there was too much play like it was wobbly especially if driving over a raised bump in the roadways: the steering wheel would give too much. this had also been noticed by another person who recently drove vehicle for a short distance. i had planned on getting the vehicle's undercarriage inspected on june 8th to confirm whether there was cause for alarm. unfortunately, the accident occurred on june 2nd. this accident was unforeseen .... it did not involve another vehicle, the speed was not a high rate of speed, yet when it appeared that the steering was unable to be controlled, i was driving east in the right lane of a two lane roadway, (the opposite two lane traffic is divided by an esplanade). the vehicle veered into left corresponding lane, striking the edge of the esplanade curb with the front left drivers tire. the car proceeded to not only start a left rollover, up onto the esplanade, but apparently flipped over from front to back, and landed back upright all the way over the esplanade, on the opposite two lane roadway; and facing west --- the opposite direction that i was traveling in! this vehicle is in the process of being totalled...and i am concerned that either way, if there is a need for an investigation, or if there are additional incidences like this that consumers need to be aware of, then i need to know. not to mention that unless there's evidence otherwise, i would probably purchase another trailblazer; the comfort and ride was something that i did enjoy.*ak
05/13/2002210/16/2001
 While driving in low speed and making a right turn, steering wheel locked up, in the same day while making a left turn, steering wheel locked up. dealer has been contacted. *ak *mj
04/15/2002107/01/2001
 While changing lanes, steering has locked up and caused vehicle to run into a concrete wall, manufacturer was notified. *ak after the power steering locked up, the vehicle hit the concrete wall and rolled backwards crashing with another vehicle. the consumer stated that the vehicle had a manufacturers defect. three weeks prior to the incident the vehicle was in for a recall also associated with the steering column. *yh