Automatic Transmission Cooler Problems of 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.

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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.

The transmission cooling lines corroded and caused a transmission fluid leak. The engine rpms increased and the vehicle lost power while going down interstate 86. When the fluid leaked out of the transmission cooling lines, it sprayed all over the exhaust pipes, which caused a severe fire hazard. Due to the loss of transmission fluid, it cased significant damage to the transmission internals.

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2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Consumer writes in regards to fuel tank and rust holes the consumer was informed the fuel tank was leaking, due to rust holes and pitting. There was also a defect with the filler tube. The consumer was informed the fuel pump would need to be replaced due to the other problems with the fuel system. Also, the transmission cooling lines were replaced, due to a leak .

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2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer ext, failure of transmission fluid cooling lines due to corrosion. Loss of transmission fluid and possible transmission failure due to loss. Replace all transmission cooling lines (4 sections).

While driving on a interstate at highway speed. My vehicle had a sudden decrease in forward momentum. The engine rpm's increased dramatically and the vehicle had unpredictable surges and loss of ability to maintain speed. After driving down the berm to the interstate exit, I noted a burning smell. The smell was that of transmission fluid that had leaked out from a corroded transmission cooling line.

Normal driving, I noticed some liquid spots on the driveway. After inspecting, I found that the transmission oil cooling line is corroded through, leaking transmission fluid. My Chevrolet Trailblazer has less than 60000 miles and is 5 years old. One line is clean, the other is corroded beyond repair. Transmission oil cooling lines have to be replaced.

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Transmission cooling line corrosion and leak.

Transmission cooling lines corroded and failed causing a car fire. The transmission fluid leaked on to the catalytic converted igniting a fire that melted the wiring harness and elements of the electrical/computer system.

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2002 Trailblazer transmission cooling line leak from corrosion.

While driving on the highway, my truck rpm's began to rev, and I began to lose speed. My Trailblazer would not shift out of second gear now. I discovered a leak into the transmission cooling line and replaced it. I've also changed the fluid and filter. After taking my truck to a local autozone for a code scan, which brought back no codes, I took the truck to my local dealer for a diagnosis. They charged me $105. 00 to tell me that the truck wasn't "throwing codes" I already knew that! they told me that it was going to be approx. $800. 00 just to pull the transmission apart to find the problem and $400. 00 to put it back in. That doesn't include the cost of fixing it! after consulting with an ase certified mechanic, I changed the tcc (transmission clutch converter) solenoid to no avail. The problem still exists! gm will offer no assistance until I pay the dealer to disassemble the transmission, then "there is a possibility" that the fix will be covered. This vehicle has not done any towing and only has 56,600 miles on it! there is no reason for a transmission failure!.

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.

The transmission cooling lines corroded which caused the transmission fluid to leak out while on a 20 mile round trip from our house. The truck started to run rough as we pulled in the driveway and there it died. I had it towed to a local transmission repair shop where they confirmed the transmission was dead, rebuild or replace. I paid to tow it to the gm dealership where I bought the truck and they confirmed the tranny was dead. Aluminum cooling lines rotted out, drained the fluid and the unit fried. There are no warning lights or monitoring of this fluid level per gm. This truck had been serviced by this dealership. The service mechanic told me that this is not a common occurrence but this is not rare either. He said gm will not help with the repairs and he was right. I had the local tranney shop do the repairs for 2500. 00, less than gm's 4500. 00. There have been many problems with this truck, I will do another report regarding the failed door latches, and I gave gm the time to repair their problems and then they tell you to "stuff it" when their bad designs get real costly. Last gm in my driveway.

Transmission line leaking. Cooling line rubbing on catalytic converter. Transmission fluid leaking on converter. Smoke could be seen. Possible fire issue. Transmission failure possible if fluid level too low. Line was in contact with converter. Remedy was to have all lines replaced so they were routed away from converter.

I'd driven 60 miles to destination. 1/2 hour later went out to Trailblazer. There was a large puddle of transmission fluid under the vehicle and a trail of drips leading up to it. Mechanic determined the line rubbed on catalytic converter and wore a hole in it. The fluid sprayed all over under the vehicle. He said it was amazing there wasn't a fire because of how flammable it is and how hot the converter gets. It was down 4 quarts of fluid. He spliced out the worn line and used a coupler to fix it and move it away from the converter.

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.

Trans coolant lines rubbed against cat converter, causing leaks. 4 - 4. 5 qts of trans fluid leaked out. Trans overheated and failed on the highway, causing vehicle to stop in an unsafe location. Transmission had to be replaced.

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.

The vehicle operated normally until part failure. Transmission pressure cooling line connector not in place properly,caused automatic transmission fluid to spray on hot exhuast manifold, starting a major engine fire. The vehicle was inspected by general motors adjuster, and considered a total loss. No repairs were attempted.