2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2002 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer | 2002 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,149 | 3,294 |
| Recall campaigns | 12 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 641 | 258 |
| Investigations | 8 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 103 | 144 |
| Fire reports | 35 | 57 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16 | 14–17 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 65,500 mi | 79,300 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Trailblazer | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 310 | 1,502 |
| Structure | 40 | 486 |
| Suspension | 33 | 421 |
| Electrical System | 181 | 148 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 143 | 163 |
| Air Bags | 102 | 162 |
| Visibility | 100 | 129 |
| Steering | 42 | 155 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 77 | 138 |
| Rust / corrosion | 68 | 47 |
| Loss of power | 21 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 19 | 74 |
| Airbag warning light | 17 | 66 |
| Check engine light | 15 | 61 |
| Electrical failures | 15 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 13 | 77 |
2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
2002 Ford Explorer
Compare all Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.