POS TrailBlazer.....anyone?

anyone have one of these POS chevy TrailBlazers? i bought a used one, 2002 with 28k on it. nice looking and bigger than a regular S10 blazer. in the last 5 weeks, the brake/anti-lock light came on, and it was due to cold weather. next, the 4x4 was engaging when it was in 2wd. yesterday, the 4x4 selector lights were flashing, and i finally called the dealer. they said the transfer-case control module needs to be replaced........ WTF? they just reprogrammed it for the federal recall, and NOW it needs to be replaced........

anyone...........Bueller...............anyone?


Modified by Rigor at 5:45 AM 2/9/2005

Well that doesn't sound good. I am glad I read this though because I was actually considering buying one of these. Beside that problem, how do you like the thing?

Why are you complaining about them replacing it if it is covered under the recall?!? I own a 1999 Honda (Isuzu) Passport. ABS recalibrated some time ago (under warranty/recall). All was good until last fall when some ABS control relay failed in the on position. The pump would run with the key OFF. I had to disconnect the battery while I called the dealer to make an emergency appointment. This was not under warranty or recall so it cost me $250. No cars made today are nearly as reliable or well built in general as they should be. Get on the NHTSA web site or just do a seach for "automobile recalls" and see the 10's of thousands of results.

I feel for ya Rigor. I had a 92 Sonoma 4X4 that had a warranty nightmare (paint delamination). GM didnt want to repaint the truck since it wasnt on the list of colors that did it (mine was a real teal color that was one of the rare colors). They said it was MY FAULT the paint was coming off. Hell after it rained there was little paint chips around the truck. So after 3 MONTHS they finally approved it. Thats typical of GM. And when they (mr goodwrench techs) do try to do warranty work they do a half ass job on it.

My brother bought a trailblazer and sold it 6 months later because it was a POS. I told him they are POS's but he didnt listen. Now he has a hemi ram crewcab.

Did you just buy this truck? If so I'd be taking it back and demanding my money back.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SP3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why are you complaining about them replacing it if it is covered under the recall?!? </TD></TR></TABLE>
perhaps i wasn't clear: the recall was to reflash the transfer case module's program. apparently, my module is showing the warning signs of failure. the recall doesn't cover that, although, i've made a stink over it. i told the salesman that although the 1000 mile/1 month warranty they gave me was over, the fact that i never had to use the 4x4 sysytem until now, (snow) prevented me from finding this problem out. i presented him with countless examples of failed modules from other owners and he agreed, they'd stand good for it. the module itsself is 450 bux.

Caliduc, the vehicle itsself is fine. it's roomy, good torque and last night i yanked my trailer and motorcycle on it with ease. mileage is 16-17 town, 20 highway. just got back from a PA to CT run and it was very relaxing and a good driver.

this is the 3rd vehicle i've bought from this dealership, and they're local as well. i don't anticipate a problem, but you never know. just wondering if anyone out there could blow some smoke up my ass, telling me, "Yeah....i own one. no problems at all......!!!"

my truck prior to this got wrecked, (i love drunk drivers.... ) so i didn't have the luxury of researching a new vehicle like i wanted. i've primarily bought chevys and never had problems in the past. my bad...........

OK, now I'm with you. I'd chat up the dealership manager for a few days and if that gets you nowhere, start going up the food chain.

I have a 2002 S-10 ZR2 that now is out of warranty, thanks to my commuting to work.

Before it went out of warranty, I noticed that the 4x4 wasn't working, and that the only way I could get heat was through the vents (not heater, not defrost).

I took it in, and had the GM guys look it over. They found that some transfer case vacuum malfunctioned and sent fluid all over hell. They had to replace my 4x4 switch, and a bunch of other crap....

I still don't think my 4x4 is working right...anyone have issues with this? In the snow it looks like I only have 1 wheel spinning in 4 high?

Anyone know how these gm pieces work?

you have an S10 blazer. 4x4 switches are known to fail, as do the front axel engagement units. the TrailBlazer is a different vehicle with a different drivetrain.

they're also known for constant heating problems like you have. check out here for the technical service bullitens and recalls:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/c...h.cfm

and here, for other people's problems: http://www.carreview.com/

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Saginaw748 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I took it in, and had the GM guys look it over. They found that some transfer case vacuum malfunctioned and sent fluid all over hell. They had to replace my 4x4 switch, and a bunch of other crap....</TD></TR></TABLE>

If they replaced your front axle vacuum actuator and it still doesnt work they either forgot to hook up the vacuum lines or put it on backwards. There should be NO FLUIDS in that switch. I replaced the one on my 92 Sonoma and it was a bitch to get to. You are working with your fingers pretty much blind doing it and its easy to put it on wrong. I'm gonna tell you how to check, but its from memory since I havent had the truck since 2000, but crawl under teh drivers side. the switch should be on top of the transfer case in the rear driveshaft tunnel area. There will be about 5 vacuum lines going into it. If you feel the lines and the connector isnt even hooked up, I'd be heading to the shop to scream at them. If its hooked up just go back and explain that it wont engage the front axle.

TrailBlazer went to the dealer yesterday. i was fully expecting to have the transfer case module replaced and they said there's a "new program" out for it they can install. i dropped it off the night before an it ws done by 1130 tuesday morning, with no charge to me.

band-aid...? who knows. the fact remains: i complained about it, they fixed it and didn't charge me. as long as it works for a decent amount of time, i'll be happy. i don't see me keeping this vehicle past 60k, not with it's history of failures and disappointments. of course, i dropped a $20 bill on the counter so the shop guys would have coffee and donuts the next day......... Fair's fair.

Wanna buy my Isuzu Trooper?

I have an '02 ZR2 Sonoma. I had some transfer case black boxes and switches replaced a while back under warranty. No problems since. I bought the GMPP extended warranty - 6yrs 100K miles, no deductable. I have around 65K on it so far. Nice truck - glad I bought it.

Can you actually tell that the thing is a 4X4?

I'm not convinced that my ZR2 4X4 is working right. The weather isn't cooperating, so I haven't had a chance to get under it.

Just wondered if anyone elses gets stuck on a sheet of ice too....

I'm very happy with the 4 wheel drive. I'm in MS now, but I'm sure I'll be using it in a couple weeks when I get back home to NH. Last winter it worked perfectly in the snow - no matter how deep it was.

Saginaw78,

if your vehicle is in 4x4 and you try to turn on dry roadway, you'll know it. it makes the turning sluggish as hell. (on dry) mine was making a bumping feeling and the 4x4 light was flashing with it simultaniously.

the TrailBlazer went back again since, for the light flashing on start up, yet again. apparently it's not engaging into 4x4 all the way when you start it in really cold temps. time to look for another truck..........