2002 GMC Envoy Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Envoy years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 13 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 487 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Envoy. That ranks 2nd out of 15 Envoy model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (88 complaints, 18%), typically at around 42,700 miles. Complaints mention 42 crashes, 12 fires, 47 injuries. There are 13 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 11 defect investigations involving it.
- 487owner complaints
- 13safety recalls
- 11NHTSA investigations
- 42complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 GMC Envoy problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 88 | 18% | 42,700 | “fan clutch” (15%) | $1,300 |
| Power Train problems | 83 | 17% | 58,435 | “transfer case” (13%) | $3,100 |
| Electrical System problems | 70 | 14% | 70,000 | “ignition switch” (7%) | — |
| Visibility | 49 | 10% | 17,700 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 41 | 8% | 48,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 35 | 7% | 81,450 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 31 | 6% | 92,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 25 | 5% | 79,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 21 | 4% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 20 | 4% | 79,355 | — | — |
| Structure | 20 | 4% | 132,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 19 | 4% | 141,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 17 | 3% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 16 | 3% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 13 | 3% | 43,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 10 | 2% | 64,250 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 2% | 46,800 | — | — |
| Seats | 9 | 2% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 9 | 2% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 8 | 2% | 135,455 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 7 | 1% | 133,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 1% | 135,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 1% | 128,000 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 0% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 GMC Envoy recalls (13)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: Some sport utility vehicles equipped with an electronically controlled air suspension (ecas) have a condition in which the ecas may produce a brief electrical spike while the vehicle is operating. This electrical spike can disrupt the powertrain control module (pcm) causing the vehicle to stall.
Risk: If the spike damages the pcm, the vehicle may not restart. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a wiring harness. The recall will begin on august 19, 2004. Owners should contact oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Seat belts
Problem: Certain light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." one of the two sensors in the driver's and front passenger's seat belt retractors could be inoperative. The seat belt retractors will lock when the belt webbing is extracted during a crash; however, the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as heavy braking, may not operate as intended.
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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver and front passenger safety belt retractors, and replace them if necessary. Owner notification began on june 24, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can either cause a short circuit or can lead to the corrosion of components within the module.
Risk: Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will cover the windshield wiper module vent hole with a patch. Also, the wiper motor, circuit board, and electrical connector will be inspected to signs of water intrusion and/or corrosion and be replaced as required. The recall began july 6, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Problem: Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards no. 101, "control location, identification, and illumination" and no. 208, "occupant crash protection." these vehicles have an intermittent condition during vehicle start-up in which the instrument panel cluster may not properly power up, resulting in most of the displays, telltale lights, and functions (except the service engine light, turn signal indicators, and the instrument panel cluster backlighting) being inoperative.
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the standard.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster. Owner notification began may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
Risk: These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Fix: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Structure:body
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles are missing welds on the rear floor plan.
Risk: In a crash, missing welds could degrade performance of the third row seat and safety belt anchorage and occupants could receive greater injuries.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds. If missing welds are found, gm will exchange the vehicle for an equivalent vehicle or provide a refund of the purchase price. Owner notification began october 4, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, a fuel filter fitting can become disconnected. If this were to occur while attempting to start the engine, a no-start condition would result and fuel would be pumped out the fuel filter onto the ground.
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 assist. If an ignition source were present, fuel leakage from a disconnected fuel filter fitting could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel filter quick connect retainers. Owner notification began september 20, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. Gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
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 the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The calibration of the transfer case control module could cause insufficient high speed gear engagement.
Risk: If the gear is not engaged, the vehicle can roll when the transmission is in "park" and a crash could result without warning.
Fix: Dealers will update the transfer case control module calibration to increase gear engagement. Owner notification began november 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles (4 wheel-drive). Some of these vehicles were built with a range shift collar in the transmission transfer case that contains cracks.
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 maintain "park" position. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash resulting from unintended movement of a parked vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transfer cases and update the control module calibration. Owner notification began september 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Structure:body
Problem: Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts." these vehicles have a console cover/armrest lid latch that could release at less than the 10g vertical load requirement of the standard.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the console cover could open and the cover or items stored under it could injure an occupant.
Fix: Dealers will replace the console latch mechanism and install a striker plate. Owner notification began july 16, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain circumstances the front lower control arm brackets may fracture. This fracture could result in separation of the front lower control arm from the frame.
Risk: A separation could result in loss of vehicle control, resulting in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right front lower control arm brackets. Owner notification began by telephone on april 4, 2001. The followup letter to consumers was mailed may 3, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Headlights (RQ17002) — opened Apr 24, 2017, closed Mar 29, 2021.
- Hazard light switch failure (RQ08001) — opened Feb 28, 2008, closed Jul 9, 2008, led to recall 08V231000.
- Fuel pump module leaks gasoline (EA07009) — opened Jul 10, 2007, closed Aug 28, 2008.
- Fuel pump module leaks gasoline (PE07013) — opened Mar 12, 2007, closed Jul 10, 2007.
- Brake lamp failure (EA04021) — opened Aug 3, 2004, closed Nov 4, 2004, led to recall 04V527000.
- Windshield wiper failure (EA04002) — opened Jan 6, 2004, closed Feb 10, 2004, led to recall 04V046000.
- Windshield wiper failure (PE03042) — opened Sep 17, 2003, closed Jan 6, 2004.
- Engine stall (EA03007) — opened May 6, 2003, closed Jun 18, 2004, led to recall 04V289000.
- Engine stall (PE03001) — opened Jan 3, 2003, closed May 6, 2003.
- 2002 trailblazer/envoy fuel tank leaks (PE02093) — opened Dec 17, 2002, closed Apr 9, 2003.
- Pincher/chafed wiring (PE02036) — opened Mar 18, 2002, closed Oct 3, 2002.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle listed caught on fire while driving on interstate with unknown cause. No previous warnings. Was a risk to safety of driver/and or passengers.
My vehicle has developed a leak in the plastic fuel tank at the junction of the fill hose connection and the body of the tank that is causing release of flammable vapors and liquid gasoline underneath the vehicle and causing failure of emissions systems. These vehicles have a rampant and…
These vehicles have a rampant and long-standing reputation for developing leaks in their plastic fuel tanks. Virtually all of these vehicles eventually develop leaks, which cause release of flammable fuel vapors and raw gasolene releases. Why isn't there a recall on these faulty fuel tanks? The…
Went to store bought food Left store and car started chugging and losing power When I got home my son said he could smell exhaust and it sounds like the catalytic converter
There are previously fixed recalls starting to pop up one at a time if they were fixed they wouldnt be back causing problems can someone check into this and let me know something I drive a 02 gmc envoy slt 4x4 4.2l. The mileage is unknown due to instrument cluster not working on the DIC settings.I…
Other GMC Envoy years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Envoy | 17 | 0 |
| 2008 Envoy | 77 | 0 |
| 2007 Envoy | 219 | 5 |
| 2006 Envoy | 352 | 8 |
| 2005 Envoy | 488 | 2 |
| 2004 Envoy | 367 | 1 |
| 2003 Envoy | 394 | 7 |
| 2002 | 487 | 13 |
| 2001 Envoy | 5 | 1 |
| 2000 Envoy | 22 | 1 |
| 1999 Envoy | 9 | 1 |
| 1998 Envoy | 19 | 2 |
| 1997 Envoy | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 Envoy | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 Envoy | 1 | 0 |
See all GMC Envoy problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Envoy?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, power train, electrical system problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 88 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 GMC Envoy?
Yes, 13 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 GMC Envoy a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Envoy model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.