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2002 GMC EnvoyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 487 owner complaints about the 2002 GMC Envoy, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 13 safety recalls.

2002 GMC Envoy
42
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.4× the Envoy median · #1 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls13Free fix at dealersOwner complaints48789 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage43kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 3, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Just a Man, CC BY 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 GMC Envoy has problems

487 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling882
Power train836
Electrical system707
Visibility492
Air bags4129
Suspension352
Fuel system, gasoline310
Exterior lighting250
Service brakes, hydraulic210
17 other systems16320

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

13 recalls

2002 GMC Envoy recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 04V-201 · Apr 28, 2004 · 261,801 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 04V-046 · Feb 4, 2004 · 581,394 vehicles

Risk. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 9 more recalls
–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 03V-075 · Mar 6, 2003 · 511,167 vehicles

Risk. THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Structure: body

Recall 02V-273 · Oct 4, 2002 · 46 vehicles

Risk. IN A CRASH, MISSING WELDS COULD DEGRADE PERFORMANCE OF THE THIRD ROW SEAT AND SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND OCCUPANTS COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 02V-121 · Aug 23, 2002 · 136,511 vehicles

Risk. IF THE FITTING BECOMES DISCONNECTED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE WOULD STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY AND CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 02V-222 · Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles

Risk. PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Recall 01V-334 · Oct 17, 2001 · 78,004 vehicles

Risk. IF THE GEAR IS NOT ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN "PARK" AND A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Recall 01V-283 · Sep 5, 2001 · 895 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE RANGE SHIFT COLLAR AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF VEHICLE FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS, AND THE INABILITY TO…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Structure: body

Recall 01V-158 · May 16, 2001 · 8,197 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

43kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 51 engine and engine cooling complaints. 84% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
16under 30k miles43under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Envoy year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Envoy median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 GMC Envoy safety ratings

2002 GMC Envoy 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
11 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 GMC Envoy, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE STALLEA03007 · closed Jun 18, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-289
  2. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA04002 · closed Feb 10, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-061
  3. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREEA04021 · closed Nov 4, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-527
  4. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEEA07009 · closed Aug 28, 2008
    No recall
  5. PINCHER/CHAFED WIRINGPE02036 · closed Oct 3, 2002
    No recall
  6. 2002 TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY FUEL TANK LEAKSPE02093 · closed Apr 9, 2003
    No recall
  7. ENGINE STALLPE03001 · closed May 6, 2003
    No recall
  8. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREPE03042 · closed Jan 6, 2004
    No recall
  9. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEPE07013 · closed Jul 10, 2007
    No recall
  10. HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH FAILURERQ08001 · closed Jul 9, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-231
  11. Loss of HeadlightsRQ17002 · closed Mar 29, 2021
    No recall
In owners' words

What Envoy owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE GMC EXECUTIVE LETTER REPLY IN ENGINE STALLING/STOPPING WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY OF CALIFORNIA. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED…
Complaint 10626712 · Aug 20, 2014
EVERYTHING STARTED APRIL LAST YEAR AND ITS ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER SINCE. FIRST MY ENGINE STARTED STALLING, WHILE DRIVING. ONE INCIDENT, I LOST HALF A TANK OF GAS WITHIN A 15 MINUTE RIDE, WHICH I HAVE A 17 GALLON TANK. THEN WHILE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY, IT SUDDENLY DROPPED FROM 70 TO 20 BEFORE I…
Complaint 10510727 · May 6, 2013 · 165,000 miles
WHEN I START THE TRUCK IN THE MORNING IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS REVVED UP WITH THE LOUD FAN NOISE. I HAD THE FAN CLUTCH REPLACED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE LOUD NOISE CONTINUES AND A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND IT FEELS LIKE IT'S TAKING TOO LONG SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE NOISE…
Complaint 10441170 · Dec 24, 2011 · 147,378 miles

Own a 2002 Envoy?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.