What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Envoy?

The biggest complaint groups are engine with 109 complaints, power train with 96, and electrical system with 83.

Does the 2002 GMC Envoy have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show 15 recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2002 GMC Envoy reliable?

The record has complaints about the engine, power train and electrical system. See the problems and recalls sections and have any used one inspected.

What is the best year for the GMC Envoy?

See the by-year comparison on this page for how each year stacks up. This page covers the 2002 model, which has 557 complaints.

2002 GMC Envoy Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2002 GMC Envoy have?

NHTSA has 557 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 557 owner complaints on file for the 2002 GMC Envoy^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 109 complaints^[2].

557owner complaints^[1]

15recalls^[3]

15–16MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across many parts of the Envoy. Here are the biggest groups.

Engine. 109 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the SUV losing power or shutting off while driving, sometimes at highway speed. Some say the dealer could not find the cause or replaced the computer without a fix.
Power Train. 96 complaints^[5]. Owners describe rough or wrong shifting, a loud cooling fan with weak acceleration, and a transmission that gave out under load.
Electrical System. 83 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a dashboard that went dark or gauges that blanked out while driving. Some also mention stalling and repeat trips to the dealer.
Visibility. 54 complaints^[7]. Owners describe memory mirrors that move on their own or forget their settings, plus whistling mirrors and wind noise.
Air Bags. 45 complaints^[8].
Fuel System, Gasoline. 44 complaints^[9].
Suspension. 39 complaints^[10].
Exterior Lighting. 36 complaints^[11].

These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2002 Envoy is necessarily included.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (05V494), October 2005. About 98,007 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury.^[12]
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights (04V527), November 2004. About 871,473 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking.^[13]
Engine And Engine Cooling (04V289), June 2004. About 29,951 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[14]
Seat Belts (04V201), April 2004. About 261,801 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[15]
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer (04V046), February 2004. About 581,394 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility.^[16]
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual (03V250), July 2003. About 1,707,825 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.^[17]
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash (03V096), March 2003. About 314,300 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.^[18]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission (03V075), March 2003. About 511,167 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: steering problems.^[19]
Structure › Body (02V273), October 2002. About 46 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[20]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (02V121), August 2002. About 136,511 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, steering problems, loss of power.^[21]
Air Bags › Frontal (02V222), August 2002. About 133,221 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[22]
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) (01V334), October 2001. About 78,004 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[23]
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) (01V283), September 2001. About 895 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[24]
Structure › Body (01V158), May 2001. About 8,197 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[25]
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm (01V126), April 2001. About 30,476 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[26]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Envoy 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	14 / 20 / 16	$4,200
Envoy XL 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[27]	14 / 19 / 16	$4,200
Envoy 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[28]	14 / 19 / 16	$4,200
Envoy XL 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[29]	14 / 19 / 15	$4,450

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR None^[30]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	n/a

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None^[31].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
ENVOY SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 2WD^[32]	192 in	74 in	72 in	113 in	4,442 lb
ENVOY SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 4WD^[33]	192 in	74 in	72 in	113 in	4,627 lb

How 2002 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Envoy model year. The 2002 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2002	557	15
2003	624	9
2004	704	2
2005	511	2
2006	587	8
2007	253	5
2008	77	0
2009	17	0

NHTSA's counts for the Envoy show 557 complaints and 15 recalls for 2002^[3]. Among the 8 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2002 and 3 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2009 (17) and the most are for 2004 (704)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2002 Envoy?

The 2002 Envoy has a long complaint record, with 557 reports on file^[1]. Engine, power train and electrical problems sit at the top of the list^[2]^[5]^[6]. Owners describe sudden power loss and stalling, which is serious on a used one. The page also lists 15 recalls for this year^[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so if you shop for one, check past recall work and have the engine, shifting and dashboard electronics inspected.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Envoy?: The biggest complaint groups are engine with 109 complaints^[2], power train with 96^[5], and electrical system with 83^[6].
Does the 2002 GMC Envoy have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show 15 recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints does the 2002 GMC Envoy have?: NHTSA has 557 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2002 GMC Envoy reliable?: The record has complaints about the engine, power train and electrical system^[2]^[5]^[6]. See the problems and recalls sections and have any used one inspected.
What is the best year for the GMC Envoy?: See the by-year comparison on this page for how each year stacks up. This page covers the 2002 model, which has 557 complaints^[1].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the GMC Envoy

2002 this page
2003 624 complaints, 9 recalls
2004 704 complaints, 2 recalls
2005 511 complaints, 2 recalls
2006 587 complaints, 8 recalls
2007 253 complaints, 5 recalls
2008 77 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the GMC Envoy

All GMC models

Similar cars from 2002: suvs

2002 Toyota Sequoia 666 complaints, 6 recalls
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 598 complaints, 2 recalls
2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer 1,249 complaints, 13 recalls
2002 Dodge Durango 423 complaints, 4 recalls
2002 Isuzu Rodeo 125 complaints, 3 recalls
2002 Land Rover Discovery 51 complaints, 3 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 557 owner complaints on file for the 2002 GMC Envoy (44 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 48 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
109 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Envoy model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Envoy 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
96 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,687). NHTSA vehicle records
83 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,105). NHTSA vehicle records
54 complaints name the visibility component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,686). NHTSA vehicle records
45 complaints name the air bags component group (31 crashes, 0 fires, 34 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
44 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,200). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
36 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 05V494, filed October 27, 2005: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V527, filed November 1, 2004: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V289, filed June 23, 2004: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V201, filed April 28, 2004: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V046, filed February 4, 2004: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer. NHTSA recall database
Recall 03V250, filed July 15, 2003: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
Recall 03V096, filed March 19, 2003: Electrical System › Wiring › Interior / Under Dash. NHTSA recall database
Recall 03V075, filed March 6, 2003: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V273, filed October 4, 2002: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V121, filed August 23, 2002: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V222, filed August 9, 2002: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 01V334, filed October 17, 2001: Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive). NHTSA recall database
Recall 01V283, filed September 5, 2001: Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive). NHTSA recall database
Recall 01V158, filed May 16, 2001: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
Recall 01V126, filed April 12, 2001: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Envoy XL 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Envoy 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Envoy XL 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 3 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENVOY SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 2WD: length 192 in, width 74 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,442 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENVOY SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 4WD: length 192 in, width 74 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,627 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2002 GMC Envoy: problems, recalls and fuel economy