Chevrolet Envoy problems
The GMC Envoy is a mid-size SUV manufactured and marketed by General Motors for the 1998 to 2009 model years over two generations. Adopting a nameplate used by GM Canada, the Envoy was a rebadged variant of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Oldsmobile Bravada, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7X.
General Motors assembled the model line at its Moraine Assembly (Moraine, Ohio) and Oklahoma City Assembly (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma). Both facilities were closed by 2008, leading to the discontinuation of the model line. The Envoy was not directly replaced in the GMC model line as General Motors transitioned its smaller SUVs to unibody-chassis designs, introducing the smaller GMC Terrain and larger GMC Acadia.
First generation (1998–2000)
The first generation GMC Envoy was introduced for the 1998 model year. Introduced a year before the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, the Envoy was the highest-trim version of the GMC Jimmy SUV. In line with the Oldsmobile Bravada, the Envoy was fitted with a leather-trim interior, floor-mounted shifter, and a largely monochromatic exterior with aluminum-alloy wheels. In line with the TrailBlazer and the Bravada, the Envoy trim was offered only in the five-door version.
The Envoy had many extra features not available on the regular Jimmy 4-door including: a remote trunk release, heated driver's and passenger's seats, a Bose sound system, and High Intensity Discharge headlights. Optional features included: a power sunroof, a panic alarm, an anti-theft system, and a power front driver & passenger seat.
GMC ended sales of the first generation Envoy after the 2000 model year as the division adopted the name to replace the entire Jimmy SUV line for 2002.
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Chevrolet Envoy model years
Common Chevrolet Envoy problems
The Chevrolet Envoy is a midsize SUV that has been known to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. These issues include exhaust leaks, faulty cluster gauges, excessive oil consumption, and problems with the ignition switch.
Exhaust leaks are a common problem in the Chevrolet Envoy, with many owners reporting loud sounds coming from the exhaust system. This issue can be caused by a cracked exhaust manifold, which can lead to costly repairs. In some cases, the cost of replacing the exhaust manifold can be around $500.
Faulty cluster gauges are another common problem in the Chevrolet Envoy. This issue can result in the gauges not working properly, which can be a significant safety concern. The most commonly reported problem is with the 2004 GMC Envoy, where the cluster gauges are not working.
Excessive oil consumption is another problem that has been reported by some Chevrolet Envoy owners. This issue can lead to costly repairs, as the engine may require frequent oil changes. In some cases, the engine may need to be rebuilt or replaced, which can be a significant expense. However, even with regular maintenance, the lifters may still fail, which can lead to costly repairs.
Finally, problems with the ignition switch have been reported by some Chevrolet Envoy owners. This issue can result in the ignition switch not turning on, which can be a significant inconvenience. In some cases, the ignition switch may need to be replaced, which can be a costly repair. The problem usually occurs around 70,000 miles, and GMC has released a TSB to address this issue.
In conclusion, the Chevrolet Envoy has several common problems that can lead to costly repairs. These issues include exhaust leaks, faulty cluster gauges, excessive oil consumption, and problems with the ignition switch. Owners of this vehicle should be aware of these issues and take steps to maintain their vehicle properly to avoid these problems.
What year GMC Envoy to avoid?
Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 2nd generation (2002–2009).
- 2nd Generation Envoy. Years 2002–2009 Reliability 29th out of 32 PainRank™ 11.51 Complaints 397.
- 1st Generation Envoy. Years 1998–2000 Reliability 2nd out of 32 PainRank™ 0.12 Complaints 1.
Is the GMC Envoy a reliable car?
Based on the J.D. Power website, the average customer rating and reliability rating of this SUV is 84/100. The most commonly reported GMC Envoy issues include exhaust leaks, faulty cluster gauges, and excessive oil consumption.
How many miles can an Envoy last?
With proper maintenance it can last from 150,000 to over 400,000 miles. Without proper maintenance You will be like to get between 75,000 to 100,000 out of it. To properly take care of the Envoy You should follow the recommended maintenance schedule for the vehicle which should be listed in the owner's manual.
Why did GMC discontinue the Envoy?
Cheap gas, SUV demand
GM first eliminated the seven-passenger GMC Envoy XL in 2006. It discontinued the Chevy Trailblazer EXT SUV at that time too as gasoline prices inched toward $3 a gallon, stalling SUV sales. The standard, five-passenger Envoy and Trailblazer remained in production in the U.S. until 2009.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet Envoy years
We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet Envoy cars and compiled the top 2 most problematic Chevrolet Envoy model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet Envoy model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet Envoy years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Chevrolet Envoy car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet Envoy , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Visibility problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet Envoy vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Envoy model years
A total of 3 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Envoy model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Envoy model years
There were a total of 3 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 24 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet Envoy . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet Envoy vehicles.
List of Chevrolet Envoy complaints
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2010-03-21
- Date Complaint: 2017-11-09
- VIN: 1GKDS13S862
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 (NA) CHEVROLET ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,111.
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2016-05-30
- Date Complaint: 2017-08-11
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: FUMES CAME INSIDE OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK LEAKS....COULD BE RUNNING OR STATIONARY...
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2015-12-05
- Date Complaint: 2015-12-05
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: FUEL LEAKING FROM ABOVE THE TANK. SEEMS TO BE PUDDELING ON TOP AND SPILL OFF DURING TURNS AND ACCELERATION. IN PARKED POSITION, FUEL DRIPS AT A FAST PACE ESTIMATED AT 1 DRIP PER SECOND. LEAK IS AGGRESSIVE AND POSES AN EXTREME DANGER AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2011-02-12
- Date Complaint: 2015-02-02
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SLID OFF THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2014-10-27
- Date Complaint: 2014-10-29
- VIN: 1GKET16S526
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE MASTER POWER SWITCH FOR THE WINDOWS AND DOORS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V406000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V248000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/02/15*LJ
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2005-02-07
- Date Complaint: 2009-12-08
- VIN: 1GKDS13S722
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER SELECTOR ACTIVATED IN THE DELAY MODE. CONSEQUENTLY HE COULD NOT ENGAGED THE WIPERS IN FULL SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V046000 (VISIBILITY;WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 01/12/10 *BF THE FRONT WIPERS OPERATED ERRATICALLY WHILE IN INTERMITTENT MODE AND WASH MODE. AT TIMES, THEY WOULD STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD. UPDATED 01/14/10.*JB
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 1901-01-01
- Date Complaint: 2005-04-26
- VIN: 1GKDT13S622
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 2002 GMC ENVOY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE WEAR.*MR THE ROTORS WERE CRACKING AT THE EDGES. THE CONSUMER WROTE GMC AND THEY CALLED AND OFFERED A INCENTIVE TO PURCHASE A NEW GM VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE STEEL USED TO MANUFACTURE THE ROTOR IS POOR QUALITY. *BF *NM
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2004-12-06
- Date Complaint: 2005-01-03
- VIN: 1GKDT13S122
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTING SIDE VIEW MIRROR FAILED. THE MIRROR WILL NOT ADJUST WHEN THERE'S A NEW DRIVER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2001-01-01
- Date Complaint: 2004-09-28
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING STEERING BECAME ERRATIC. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN ITS LANE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.*AK
Chevrolet Envoy 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2004-03-03
- Date Complaint: 2004-04-28
- VIN: 1GKDT13W4W2
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ONCE, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT. *AK
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2004-02-19
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO ANOTHER GEAR WITHOUT SHIFTING GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE TRANSFER CASE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK THE PROBLEM CONTINUED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE. *JB
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2003-11-19
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: EMAIL REGARDING GMC BULLETIN G03019 ON 2002 GMC ENVOY.*MR THE BULLETIN STATED THE ENGINE CYLINDER BORE LINER MAY CRACK RESULTING IN LOST OF POWER AND OR ENGINE STALLING. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MAY HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. CONSUMER HAS SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL GM PERSONNEL, EACH STATING THEY WOULDN'T PROVIDE THE CONSUMER THE DATA OR REMEDY THE POTENTIAL DEFECT. *PH *CB *JB
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2003-10-29
- VIN: 1GKDS13S822
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL. CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GAS UNDERNEATH. THE FUEL LINE SEPARATED FROM THE FUEL LINE FILTER.*AK
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2003-08-22
- Date Complaint: 2003-09-12
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1GKD5135522
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD LOUD NOISE, AND FIVE SECONDS LATER, NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE ENGINE EXPLODED DUE TO LACK OF OIL.*TS *JB
Chevrolet Envoy 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2003-03-15
- Date Complaint: 2003-09-02
- VIN: 1GKDT13S822
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL RECURRING.*AK
Are you having problems with your Chevrolet Envoy?
