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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 GMC Envoy XLRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 570 owner complaints for the 2002 GMC Envoy XL. Most complaints involve power train (97) and engine and engine cooling (92). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2005
Owner complaints
570
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Latches

Free remedy

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCH THAT MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SPLASH, SUCH AS WATER AND ROAD SALT. THESE VEHICLES WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Oct 27, 2005NHTSA 05V494000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Exterior lightingReported Nov 1, 2004NHTSA 04V527000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Feb 4, 2004NHTSA 04V046000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

570 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2001 – Jul 2026
  1. Power train97
  2. Engine and engine cooling92
  3. Electrical system86
  4. Visibility56
  5. Air bags46
  6. Fuel system, gasoline44
  7. Suspension40
  8. Exterior lighting36
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic27

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Envoy XL model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002570
2003642
2004718
2005624
2006603
Crashes reported
44
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
48
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

97 reports3 crashes2 fires
“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 to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2022Power train, StructureODI 11456854

Engine and engine cooling

92 reports2 fires
“SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE GMC EXECUTIVE LETTER REPLY IN ENGINE STALLING/STOPPING WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY OF CALIFORNIA. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, AS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE STALLING. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE STALLING ISSUES, AS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER FOUND THE REAR SPEED SENSOR CONNECTOR BROKEN AND NOT SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SENSOR. THEY REPOSITIONED THE CONNECTOR AND SECURED IT TO THE SENSOR. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL, WHICH DESCRIBED THE SAME SYMPTOMS HE EXPERIENCED. RECALL # 04V289000. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2014Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10626712

Electrical system

86 reports3 crashes8 fires
“SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN VEHICLE,EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING ON IT!!!! VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN A MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, I REPLACED TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES AS WELL!!!!HAD NO LIGHTS,TURNING SIGNALS,NO HEAT HEAT THEN THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED COMPLETELY NOTHING JUST DEAD!!! HAD BATTERY CHECKED WASNT THAT!!!! THEY TOLD ME ELECTRICAL ISSUES NOT SURE WHAT ONLY HAD VEHICLE 3 MONTHS!!! I HAD HAD 2004 TRAILER BLAZER BEFORE THIS SAME ISSUES!!!! ONLY HAD IT 2 MONTHS AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT PD THAT THEN ONCE AGAIN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS!!!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2020Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11298334
All 2002 Envoy XL problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Envoy XL 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Envoy XL 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141915$4,150592
  • Envoy XL 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Envoy XL 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 GMC Envoy XL as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 4470
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Envoy XL questions

How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Envoy XL have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 GMC Envoy XL problems?

Owners filed 570 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (97), engine and engine cooling (92), electrical system (86). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 GMC Envoy XL get?

The EPA rates the 2002 GMC Envoy XL at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026