NHTSA Complaint #10254263 — 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. IN MARCH OF 2008, THE REAR HATCH GLASS SUDDENLY SHATTERED. THE HATCH HAD JUST BEEN IN USE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND REALIZED THAT THE GLASS SHATTERED OUTWARD ALL OVER HER YARD AND DRIVEWAY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,200. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF HER INSURANCE COMPANY, THE GLASS WAS REPAIRED. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR. IN DECEMBER OF 2008, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BECAUSE THE TAILGATE WAS CLOSING HARD, GRINDING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD STILL NOT WORK. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE WIPER STILL MALFUNCTIONED. IN JANUARY OF 2009, THE SHATTERED REAR HATCH FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO ONE TOUCHED THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST THREE HOURS BEFORE THE GLASS SHATTERED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER ALSO CITED THAT THERE WAS POOR TERMINAL TENSION IN THE LIFTGATE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD PHOTOS OF THE SHATTERED GLASS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,563.