Transfer Case Problems of Chevrolet Trailblazer - part 2

Purchased 2003 Trailblazer in October 2003. Had problems shifting into 4wd in winter 2003-04. When switching into and 4-wd, lights would flash and it would remain in 2-wd. Service 4wd light came on soon after. Brought it to the dealer who could not replicate problem. This happened later the same year and also the following year, each time the dealer could not find a problem. This past weekend while on vacation, a parking valet for some odd reason, switched the car into 4-wd low. Car will not come out of 4-wd low. Had to leave at dealer 150 miles from home and rent a car to get home. I am waiting until after the 4th of July holiday for them to look at car and figure out problem.

See all problems of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer 🔎.

: the contact stated the range shift collar fractured resulting in failure of the transmission. The vehicle would not go into drive or reverse and would not stay in the park position. There is an NHTSA recall, # 01v283000, regarding the power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive). The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. The vehicle was repaired prior to the recall.

See all problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer 🔎.

: the contact stated while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle slipped out of gear. The engine revved up to 4,000 rpm's; however, this did not cause the vehicle to accelerate. The vehicle was pulled over and it went back into gear. The transmission slipped again, but the vehicle was taken to the contact's residence. This happened 2 more times. The vehicle was then towed to the dealership. The dealership stated there is a broken gear in the transfer case and the transfer case must be replaced.

Drove car to a friends. Had to park in the mud. Came out later to find that the 4wd was not functioning at all. No lights no attempt to switch into awd, 4 hi, or 4 lo. Would not like to be out in snow and find out that 4wd does not work on a rear-wheel drive car. Could cause an accident.

Consumer has 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Consumer took vehicle to dealer because vehicle was shifting into 4 wheel drive high and low at random. Consumer was exiting the freeway when vehicle shifted down to 4 wheel drive low. This happened again when consumer was pulling into driveway. When consumer was existing freeway and the vehicle dropped into 4 wheel low consumer noticed that the light said 4 wheel low. Consumer had this happen about six times. This happened while turning into driveway a few times, consumer started turning left into driveway when it shifted down into low. Consumer stopped vehicle , and the light flashed and cycled through different settings until it went back to 2 wheel high. Consumer could feel vehicle shifting in and out of 4 wheel and high and low when light changed position. Consumer contacted manufacturer, and manufacturer stated that there was nothing they could do. Vehicle was taken to dealer, who dealer said that they done a software update to the computer and this may fix problem. Dealer could not guarantee that problem was fixed. Consumer did not want to pick up vehicle because she was scared for her family to ride in vehicle.

1. We have always had problems with our 2002 Trailblazer. At times, mostly when cold, the gas pedal would be unresponsive. We continually took it to the dealer who told us there was nothing wrong. In December of 2003 we could not get the vehicle to go into 4wd, took it to the dealer and they changed the transfer case control module. 2. In may of 2005 with approx. 80000 miles on our tb, the transmission failed. It would not shift beyond second gear. At the time we were driving somewhat slowly so it didn't create a dangerous circumstance. 3. We took it to the gm dealer who rebuilt the transmission for approx. $2200. Ever since the transmission was rebuilt, it has shifted hard in 1st and 2nd gear.

Vehicle jumps into 4lo and 4hi at random. Dealership reprogrammed something, and problem continued. Dealer now guessing at problem. When the 4lo engages vehicle acts like brakes lock up.

'02 Trailblazer-I bought the vehicle used at 30k. Every once in awhile when pulling it out of the garage the 4x4 selection lights would go out and the red "n" would flash. When I put the vehicle in neutral the red "n" would go out and the 2wd light would come on. At approx. 40k miles it did it one day when I was pulling out of the garage. Later that day I was just exiting the interstate and heard a loud grinding noise coming from the transfer case/transmission. The noise changed pitch with my speed. When I pulled over to the shoulder I put the vehicle in park and shut off the engine. When I took my foot off of the brake the vehicle started to roll down a hill. I re-applied the brake, started the vehicle and switched it from 2wd to 4wd then back to 2wd. The vehicle then was able to move and I took it directly to the dealership. After they looked at it the next day they said "could not duplicate the problem. " they also said that the flashing "n" was not normal and to bring it in if it did it again. After looking at this site I am very concerned for my family's safety in this vehicle. I spoke with Chevrolet customer service on 5/3/05 on this and another issue and was told that my vehicle VIN was not part of the list of those affected by this problem and that it would only be added if the dealership saw the problem.

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer had problems with the transfer case control module. The light on the switch did light signifying whether 2wd, 4wdh or 4wdl was operating. The transfer case did not switch out of 2wd into any other operating modes.

While putting the vehicle in 4-wheel drive it began to accelerate. Vehicle ran into a guard rail and rolled down into a ditch. Owner contacted the dealer, who said it was the fault of the driver. Later, dealer contacted the owner, and informed him that the 4-wheel drive key was broken.

The vehicle locks itself into 4-wheel low, which caused the vehicle to go from 45 miles to 25 miles in a matter of seconds. There was no warning. Consumer has taken the vehicle into the dealer 10 times already. Consumer has had 2 accidents with the vehicle due to the vehicle dropping into 4-wheel low. Also, the air bag did not deploy. Consumer was injured.

2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer VIN#1gndt13s622467143. 4 wheel drive module malfunctioned not allowing vehicle to engage in 4 wheel drive; module was replaced at our expense (can provide receipt). We have been made aware that same type vehicles have had same problem, and we would like to be included in the recall. Gm customer service has made us aware that a recall has been made on another series of VIN numbers of like vehicle, and we would like to be included.

Gm t-body 4 wheel drive vehicles 2002 > loss of control during 4-wheel drive conditions. Transfer case shifting in and out with out warning, causing a slide and spin out condition. Have been in touch with gm and was tolds condition is normal. They blame the driver is driving too fast for conditions. Other vehicles have not lost control under the same conditions and speed.

When turning on the vehicle it accelerated uncontrollably. While driving at low speeds consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the transfer case needed to be replaced, and replaced it twice. However, the problem recurred.

Consumer experienced the same problems as stated in recall 01v134000 concerning transfer case. Dealership would not perform repairs free of charge because the VIN was not included.

While driving, the consumer noticed that the four wheel drive indicator light flashed intermittently. The dealership serviced the vehicle, upgraded the computer system and replaced the transfer case.

While driving consumer noticed that 4-wheel drive indicator light flashed intermittently. Dealership serviced vehicle, but could not duplicate the problem.

Vehicle will randomly shift from normal 2wd to 4wd without warning. Happens at slow (parking lot) and turnpike speeds (75 mph). Difficult to control vehicle when failure occurs on turnpike. Dealer reprogrammed tccm (transfer case control module) but did not fix problem.

When disengaging the 4-wheel drive vehicle jumped forward hitting a parked vehicle.

2wd 4wd selector switch changes position randomly. Caused a repair to front ring and pinion assembly in differential. Selector switch acted up at 50-70 mph range. Cost of repair: $2000. 00! gm will not cover under any warranty. Based on other consumers complaints. I would think if gm was aware of this many complaints for the same thing, should there not be a recall! my father and father-in-law both worked for gm. I agree with another consumer that gm has no regard for the safety of their buyers. I'm considering going to Ford!!! unless gm will stand behind their "bread winner"??.

Vehicle transfercase shifted without command on wet ice resulting in sliding left of center going into ditch striking culvert becoming airborne landing on top . Vehicle was a total by insurance company.

When driving at any speed 4-wheel drive changed from auto 4wd to high 4wd, then tried shifting into low 4wd without warning. The switch was set to auto, therefore, the problem shouldn't have occurred.

See all problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Trailblazer 🔎.

While driving 5 mph the 4-wheel drive engaged. This caused steering wheel to lock, and the driver had difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the transfer case module needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred, and the mechanic determined that the transfer case needed to be reprogrammed ,and reprogrammed it. The problem still occurs.

On a number of occasions, while driving in 4wd hi, vehicle automatically shifts into 2wd or attempts to shift into 4wd lo. On two occasions, while driving in 2wd it shifted into 4wd. Dealership could not duplicate problem, so they would not fix or replace any parts. Similar account to several other owners.

'03 Trailblazer has been back to the dealership 7 times for the same problem, the 4 wheel drive engages by itself at 55 to 60mph, the truck jerks and it flashes from 4 wheel to 2 wheel drive, they have reset codes, changed switches and it still is doing the same thing. It has this problem at all speeds, it just is very noticable at higher speeds, the way the truck jerks. . I have filed with the bbb.

At medium to high speeds transfer case engages without warning.

While driving, the four wheel drive kicked in which caused the rear end of the vehicle to lock up.

Upon cranking the vehicle the service 4wd indicator light in the gauge console area lights up, while at the same time the selector light for which setting the transfer case is in goes out. The selector switch is in the 2wd setting and there will be no amber light indicating it. You can switch the selector to awd or 4wd or back to 2wd and no indicator light. Sometimes it can me "fixed" by turning the vehicle off and restarting the engine.

Service 4wd light comes on, vehicle will automatically go into four wheel drive without the switch being turned. This causes the vehicle to jerk and it is difficult to steer at times.

While driving the vehicle at a speed of approximately 65-70 mph, I felt a surge as if the transmission was shifting. As this was happening I noticed the light next to the four-wheel switch selector knob was blinking above the automatic 4hi position. This has happened on occasion quite frequently. My wife who normally drives this vehicle says it happens several times during a typical 60-mile trip. This same thing happened a week after we starting leasing this vehicle back in April of 2002. I told the dealership about it and they said they couldn't find anything wrong. They said it's hard to find something wrong with it when it's not actually happening in front of them. It always tends to happen in the speed range of 50-70 mph. This issue has me concerned, especially while driving on snow, ice, or wet surfaces. I'm afraid it could jerk enough to throw us off the road. I've now realized, through the NHTSA web site, that many Trailblazer owners/operators have had similar problems and gm has done nothing to remedy the problem. I've always purchased gm since my father is a retired gm employee, but I'm now considering buying outside of the gm family. What good is the gm employee incentive/discount, when your life is at risk? apparently to gm, the cost of life is nothing compared to the cost of a recall. I'm considering getting out of the lease, no matter the cost, due to the lemon of a vehicle we now have. How many people will be injured and or possibly killed before gm decides to bite the bullet and recall their bread-winning vehicle? today (3-17-03) while in for normal service, I was told that the dealer reset the control module, which might fix the problem. I asked them about changing the switch and they said they have done this on some vehicles but prefer to start with resetting the module. Only time will tell. I hope the forecast is for dry weather!.

Update of complaint 10003216. Grinding noise in transfer case recurred while driving on freeway at 65-70 mph, with 4wd mode switch lights jumping back and forth between 2wd and 4wd. Stopped off freeway to call dealer, car would not move, towed to dealer. Told that the transfer case failed.

Problem with 4x4 shift indicator not registering transfer case position.

On 11/02 I had my vehicle at the dealer for service & it was brought up that the 4wd was turning on & off randomly. The service person mentioned that they have seen a handful of these & the computer in the vehicle was "asleep" however, they advised they couldn't check the problem because it was in working order at the time I had it in. They could only check the problem if it wasn't working. The last week of 1/03, I was traveling at highway speeds in 2wd. The vehicle automatically shifted itself into 4wd high, made a very loud sound & the lights on the dash changed from 4wd high to awd, & 4wd low. When I arrived home, all the lights on the dash for 4wd were out & have not come back on. The vehicle was turned off. When the vehicle was turned back on the following day, it was in 2wd & would not engage into awd or 4wd high or low. I contacted my dealer who set up an appointment to bring the vehicle in on 2/5/03 to have the 4wd checked out. On 2/4/03 I hit a patch of snow & ice with my rear tires. I was traveling approximately 40 mph on a 55 mph road. Due to the vehicle only being in 2wd & the awd & 4wd not working, the front wheels of the vehicle had no power & the vehicle went out of control & ended up in a ditch on the side of the road causing over $4000 in damage. Minor bruising injury to myself when my knees slammed into the dash. Body damage has been repaired & the service dept has confirmed that the computer was not working at the time of the accident in order for the 4wd to turn on. The computer has since been "reset" & the vehicle returned to me on 2/27/03. Again on 3/1/03 & 3/3/03, the vehicle was in 2wd traveling at highway speeds & randomly turned from 2wd to awd & 4wd. On 3/10/03, I advised the dealer again of the problem & the manager is going to speak w/the service dept to find out if there have been any other complaints of this nature. Again, the dealer said they couldn't do anything now for me as the vehicle is working at this time.

Power transfer case 4 wd, again today 2/5/03 my chevy Trailblazers 4wd locked up with knob in 2wd and the lights are on both 4wh-4wl stopped us abruptly skidding and throwing us forward, I had this car in the shop 1/31/03 for the same problem, and they told me they could find nothing wrong with it. I told the dealer and gmac that I donot want the car back this is the 4th time this has happened and me and my familly are very affraid when driving this car that it is dangerous and could injure us. Maybe it will take someone getting hurt or killed before they will by back this car. I am in fear at all times when I drive it but I have no other vehicle and cqant afford to buy another with this payment. Gmac please help.

Transmission locks up, 4 wd lights move on its own, this has happened 4 times since I have owned this car, I requested that I do not want this car back, but they insist they fixed the problem, now with my children 2 and 16 years in the car the 4wd light was malfunctioning and the car locked up and we skid down the street. I donot want this car back, I feel it will kill one or all of us with this lock up of transmission and the car won't move thank god it has not happened on the freway I feel we would be dead. The cars a lemo0n and I am not waiting for it to harm my familly.