2002 GMC Envoy Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 3, 2026 · 83 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2002 GMC Envoy, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 58,435 miles. The words owners use most often: “transfer case” (13% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Transfer case: mentioned in 11 of 83 complaints (13%)
  • Transmission failed: mentioned in 10 of 83 complaints (12%)
  • Sun shell: mentioned in 7 of 83 complaints (8%)
  • Loud noise: mentioned in 5 of 83 complaints (6%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2002 GMC Envoy at $3,100, and half of them between $1,000 and $4,050.

Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 58 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles4 · 7%
10k–25k miles3 · 5%
25k–50k miles18 · 31%
50k–75k miles16 · 28%
75k–100k miles8 · 14%
100k–150k miles5 · 9%
150k+ miles4 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 83 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury.

GMC Envoy power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2002, with 83 complaints
1998: 1199811999: 2199922000: 4200042001: 1200112002: 832002832003: 372003372004: 152004152005: 182005182006: 122006122007: 6200762008: 5200852009: 220092

n = 186 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2009 Envoy212%88,000
2008 Envoy56%76,000
2007 Envoy63%77,165
2006 Envoy123%86,000
2005 Envoy184%50,828
2004 Envoy154%53,952
2003 Envoy379%46,000
2002 Envoy8317%58,435
2001 Envoy120%50,102
2000 Envoy418%10,234
1999 Envoy222%107,041
1998 Envoy15%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2005, with 16 complaints
2001: 4200142002: 12122003: 9200392004: 882005: 162005162006: 772007: 4200742008: 10102009: 5200952011: 112012: 1201212013: 112014: 2201422015: 112020: 1202012022: 11

n = 83 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Power train:automatic transmissionMar 6, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V075000 · 511,167 vehicles

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.

Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)Oct 17, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V334000 · 78,004 vehicles

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)Sep 5, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V283000 · 895 vehicles

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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2002 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear subframe had fractured and detached. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe needed…

Received Mar 15, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11456854

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc envoy. The contact sated that the vehicle failed to shift out of drive into the park position. The parking brake was engaged to secure the vehicle from moving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the shifter linkage bushing. The manufacturer…

Received Nov 10, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11373986

While driving the envoy at about 45 mph, a warning light saying "reduced engine power" came on suddenly, the car dropped down to about 20 mph, and that continues to occur. I can turn off and restart the car, but the problem returns within a minute after driving it again. I started investigating…

Received Dec 29, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10816848
GMC Envoy
2002–2007 GMC Envoy photographed in USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2002 GMC Envoys have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 83 owner complaints about power train for the 2002 GMC Envoy (17% of the 487 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2002 GMC Envoy power train?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 58,435 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2002 GMC Envoy?

Owners report a typical cost of $3,100 (half paid between $1,000 and $4,050), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2002 GMC Envoy?

The most frequent phrase is “transfer case”, in 11 of 83 complaints, followed by “transmission failed” (10).

Other 2002 GMC Envoy problems

See all 2002 GMC Envoy problems or power train problems across all Envoy years.