Problems · by component

2002 GMC Envoy power train problems

97 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Envoy cite power train, 17% of all 570 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
97
17% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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 WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2020Power trainODI 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 WHAT THAT MEANS ONLINE, AND, AS WITH ANYTHING ELSE ON THE INTERNET, I SEE MANY OPINIONS, GUESSES, AND POSSIBILITIES. COULD BE A BAD SENSOR, BAD THROTTLE CONTROL, BAD WIRE CONNECTIONS, ETC. BUT THIS MUCH APPEARS CLEAR: (1) IT IS A GM PROBLEM, AND A VERY, VERY COMMON ONE. (2) IT IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS PRETTY OBVIOUS - THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES SPEED AND EVIDENTLY SOMETIMES STALLS OUT ALTOGETHER. BUT HEARING ABOUT SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE'S SCARY EXPERIENCES JUST CONFIRMS THIS. (3) IT CAN BE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX. WHEN I THINK OF THESE FACTS, COUPLED WITH GM'S RECENT HISTORY, I IMMEDIATELY THINK "RECALL." THIS CERTAINLY APPEARS TO BE AN APPROPRIATE SITUATION FOR A MANUFACTURER TO STEP IN AND FIX THE ISSUE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET ANGRY WITH GM, GET HURT, OR GET KILLED. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO SOLD THE CAR (I AM THE SECOND OWNER), IN COLUMBUS, OHIO.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 29, 2015Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 10816848
“WHEN NEW, THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY GO INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE IN A SLIGHT LEFT TURN MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY HARD TO STEER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE AND HE REPORTED THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER MY WARRANTY RAN OUT HE REPORTED THE FOLLOWING; 611 ENCODER ACTUATOR, 7764 CST, 1 89059275 ACTUATOR. HE REPLACED THE ACTUATOR AT A COST OF $275.30 FOR THE ACTUATOR AND $221.90 LABOR FOR A TOTAL OF 497.20 AT MY COST! HERE IT IS SEVERAL YEARS LATER AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL DOING THIS OCCASIONALLY DANGEROUS MANEUVER. I CAN'T LET MY WIFE DRIVE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY FACTOR OF THIS HAPPENING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I GUESS I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT LIVE WITH THIS? *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2014Power trainODI 10649678
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC ENVOY .THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE BUT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SHIFTER SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2014Power trainODI 10563889
“STOP ENGINE/LOW OIL PRESSURE DISPLAY CONTINUALLY COMES ON AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND AT TIMES WILL STALL. AFTER REPLACING PCM, OIL SENDING UNIT, THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, CLEANING THE PCV VALVE AND MAP SENSOR AND MULTIPLE OTHER PARTS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS AND STATED THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE CAM SHAFT ACTUATOR (FOR A COST OF APPROX. $885), BUT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FROM 02/14/2011 UNTIL 11/07/12 AND STILL UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I'VE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC MANUFACTURER, BUT STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE MY ISSUES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2013Power train, Electrical systemODI 10520149

Showing 6 of 97 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

3 recalls on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Mar 6, 2003NHTSA 03V075000

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Oct 17, 2001NHTSA 01V334000

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Sep 5, 2001NHTSA 01V283000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

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