2002 Gmc ENVOY XL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
70 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 61 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 70 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 17.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 15.7% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 11.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 |
Electrical System: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Exterior Lighting: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Air Bags: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 6
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
2004: 8; 2005: 17; 2006: 11; 2007: 7; 2008: 7; 2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2012: 5; 2013: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10062600 · 2004-03-19 (March 19, 2004)
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT COME OUT OF LOW GEAR COLD. HAS BEEN IN 4 TIMES FOR WHAT THEY CALL "COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPGRADES" NOW THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO LOW GEAR WHILE SLOWING, THEY TELL ME THIS IS NORMAL. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES FOR THE ABOVE ISSUE SINCE WE TOOK POSSESION BRAND NEW.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10122167 · 2005-05-25 (May 25, 2005)
I HAVE HAD THREE TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE FIRST WAS IN DEC, 2002 AT 14,000 MILES. THE SECOND WAS IN DEC 2003 AT 36,000 MILES. THE THIRD WAS JAN 2005 AT 58,000 MILES. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE CAR BUT CAN NOT DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE LAST FAILURE WAS WITH MY FIVE YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND WE WERE PULLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SINCE THEY HAVE NOT DETERMINED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE I SEE NO REASON TO THINK IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100318 · 2004-11-22 (November 22, 2004)
FUEL TANK HAS LEAK AT JOINT WHERE FILLER PIPE AND TANK JOIN ALLOWING FUEL AND VAPORS TO ESCAPE. SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE GARAGE. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE WELD HAD FAILED, THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND THAT THEY HAD REPLACED THE FUEL TANK FOR 2 OTHER ENVOYS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR REPAIR ON THE FUEL TANK OR REMOVAL OF THE FUEL TANK.
Owner-reported narrative. 44,660 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101804 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A LEAK AT THE FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK WHICH ALLOWED FUEL AND VAPORS TO ESCAPE. DEALER WILL REPAIR FOR $900.00. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 44,660 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118332 · 2005-04-24 (April 24, 2005)
FOR I HAVE A 2002 GMC ENVOY THAT IS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE ANSWER THAT I WAS GETTING FROM THE DEALER WAS THAT MY BRAKES WERE LOW, WELL I CHANGED THEM AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE, FOR AT TIMES WHEN HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WILL STOP AND THEN DROP ABOUT AN EIGHT OF AN INCH ( AS IF THERE IS AIR IN THE LINES) AND I DON'T KNOW IF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE THOUGHT OF AS DANGEROUS, BUT I HAVE THEM TOO. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135224 · 2005-09-02 (September 2, 2005)
DT: 2002 GMC ENVOY XL - THE CONSUMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE LARGER GMC VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED REGARDING THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED THE VEHICLE STARTING SLOWING DOWN AND LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKES WERE REPAIRED ON THE TRUCK AT A COST OF $1400. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIR DONE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE ENVOY FOR THE ABS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139111 · 2005-10-08 (October 8, 2005)
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILURE AT 7,000 MILES : VEHICLE COMPUTER RELATED EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE / DAMAGED COMPONENTS AT 12,000 MILES STABILIZER BAR LINK FAILURES COMPLETE DASHBOARD GAUGE CLUSTER FAILURE REAR BRAKE DETERIORATION, HEAVY BRAKE DAMAGE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR LOSS OF CONTROL POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE TRANSMISSION MODULE/ FWD FAILURE BATTERY FAILURE CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE VALVE LIFTER TAPPING EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE SEAT BELT SHOULDER RESTRAINT LOCKUP, PASSENGER SIDE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140749 · 2005-10-25 (October 25, 2005)
IN 10 DAYS, HAD THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT ($3200), EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS START LEAKING ($400), 4WD SWITCH ($250), AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK LOCK IN STEERING COLUMN ($250) AND NOW I HAVE A 4WD SERVICE LIGHT ON. THE DEALER HAS BEEN TOTALLY UNHELPFUL. ALTHOUGH I AM AN ENGINEER AT A TIER 1 U.S. AUTO SUPPLIER, I WILL BE LOOKING OVERSEAS FOR MY NEXT CAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165326 · 2006-08-12 (August 12, 2006)
THE GMC ENVOY XLT EXPERIENCES A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS AT OR BELOW A QUARTER TANK OF GAS THE VEHICLE'S GAS PEDAL BECOMES INOPERABLE AND THE FORWARD VELOCITY IS LOST TO THE POINT THAT IF YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WILL IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN RESULTING IN A COMPLETELY HAZARDOUS AND UNSAFE SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVER HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD OR BE REAR ENDED. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ONLY UNDER THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE. SEVERAL GMC ENVOY XLT OWNERS …
Owner-reported narrative. 90,088 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165326 at NHTSA ↗