Automatic Transmission Cooler problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The cooling lines from the transmission of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer exit the transmission next to the catalytic converter. A portion of the lines are covered with a protective and loose fitting cover which appears to be aluminum almost like a tin foil. This covering creates an area where moisture collects causing the lines to rust. Eventually the lines start to leak transmission fluid. When the vehicle is in motion the fluid is blown onto the catalytic converter and could start a fire under the vehicle exposing the vehicle occupants to extreme danger. At first I thought the leak was oil from the engine, but upon checking closer, I found the transmission lines leaking. The placement of the transmission cooling lines are very close to the converter and if excessive fluid is splattered on the converter, a fire could result. The vehicle was stationary when the leak was noticed. However, the fluid was found after being on the highway at 70mph splattered on the undercarriage and surrounding area of the vehicle. Speaking with aamco mechanics who replaced the lines, they felt it is a real fire hazard. This seems to be a design defect. What brought my attention to this is the fact I had a 1995 jimmy and had noticed a similar leak when it was 8 years old. I had given the truck to my son. After he had driven it on an interstate, another driver yelled at him that his car was on fire. The entire underside was on fire. Fortunately he was able to exit the vehicle and get his family out before the entire truck was engulfed in flames. The fire marshal at the time thought a line of some type had burst. I suspect it was the transmission line similar to the Trailblazer transmission line.

Transmission cooling lines that run next to the catalytic converter/exhaust pipe are prone to 'rust-through' due to the insulation wrap that has been added because of being so close to the high heat source. This insulation traps moisture and salt in northern areas and causes the lines to corrode and leak transmission fluid. I feel this is a potential fire hazard as the fluid can drip directly onto the exhaust components. Fortunately I could smell this after I pulled into my garage otherwise I would not have know of the leak. Depending on when the leak actually takes place and the rate of leakage this could also result in transmission failure if the driver is unaware that the vehicle is losing fluid, extended highway driving. From my understanding this corrosion and resultant leakage is very common and should be listed as a safety recall. Thank you.

2002 Trailblazer transmission cooling line leak from corrosion.

Bought a 2002 chevy Trailblazer from a used car dealership in 04/09 and noticed a small puddle of fluid on the driveway. I did some quick searching and found that due to the location of the oil filter some oil could puddle up on the "skid plate" under the truck which can drip for a few days after so I thought nothing of it. Luckily I checked the transmission fluid after my wife mentioned the truck was shifting funny. It was 2 qts low and after further investigation I noticed the transmission cooling lines are severely corroded and leaking. I did some searching and noticed a TSB for the issue - pit-4722. Chevy should issue a notice to the users of these vehicles and offer to replace. I don't know about all the other vehicles but the transmissions cooling line is leaking right next to the Trailblazers exhaust and I'm guessing that is not a very safe situation.

My 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS developed a leak in the transmission cooling line where the line was covered with a foil covered fabric protector, which while I'm sure it provided heat protection, sure did do a good job at retaining salt water during the winter. Realizing that transmission fluid is combustible and the catalytic converter, which is located in close proximity gets pretty hot, this could have resulted in a serious fire.

My 2002 Trailblazer transmission cooler line failed when we went to replace it we were told that both lines had to be replaced ( only 1 was bad) because gm redesigned this part if the part was redesigned then they must have realized a mistake and this should have been recalled. We were lucky we noticed ours leaking when we did. We saw smoke and stopped before a fire. Now waiting on parts to fix, dealer item only and not in stock. Trailblazer not old enough for this to be happening.

Transmission coolant pipes: on the afternoon of November 12, I was driving on a local freeway I began experiencing difficulties maintaining speed. While the engine had full power, I had to pull over as my vehicle effectively lost power to the wheels. At this time, I had the vehicle towed to the local Chevrolet dealer where I have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle has always been regularly services at gm dealers. The following Monday, my suspicion of a transmission failure was confirmed. Several days later, the old transmission was replaced. At that time, the transmission coolant pipe was discovered to have been rusted through and this was identified as the likely cause of my transmission failing. I ultimately had to have the transmission and that coolant pipe replaced at the cost of several thousand dollars. I believe a strong case exists for calling attention to a need to inspect and perhaps replace critical underbody fluid pipes on similar vehicles due to the likelihood of rust-through and other failures that could cause substantial damage to vehicles.

Transmissions went out weeks after hearing sounds underneath the car, and hearing a loud poping sound. I had all of the recall problem, plus problems with my heating and cooling system controls going out on the high setting, problems with embrassasing squeaking noises coming from underneath the car. What really hurt me so bad is that the place where my husband and I work we build parts for general motors every day and worked there fo 22 years trusting that the first car that we bought brand new would be a gm product that I would be at least heard from the company and having them be concerend enough to help pay for my repairs or something, I only had the car for 2 and a half years.

There were no events that took place before this happened. The failure was a coupling on the high pressure transmission line. The transmission fluid sprayed onto exhaust manifold and started a major engine fire. Nothing has been done at this time.