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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 GMC EnvoyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 77 owner complaints for the 2008 GMC Envoy. Most complaints involve electrical system (18) and exterior lighting (17). The EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
77
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2008 GMC Envoy as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

77 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2008 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system18
  2. Exterior lighting17
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)12
  4. Engine and engine cooling8
  5. Suspension7
  6. Seat belts5
  7. Air bags5
  8. Power train5
  9. Engine4

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002570
2003642
2004718
2005624
2006603
2007278
200877
200917
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

18 reports2 fires
“I was living in my car and the windows and door lock cluster caught on fire I had to tear my door panel off to get to the source and unplug it I believe there is a major electrical issue with this vehicle I shouldn't be driving it also my heater fan stopped working on 4 and 5 works on 1 2 and 3 but not 4 or 5 please help me get this recalled so I can finally get this vehicle fixed right this is so dangerous I could have burnt up in my car 7”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2025Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11705985

Exterior lighting

17 reports
“I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR AND IT'S HAD CONSTANT ISSUE WITH LOW BEAM LIGHTNING. WE REPLACED THE RELAY THINKING IT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT MECHANIC SAID IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. THIS CAR WAS MFG 1/08 AND I HONESTLY THINK IT WAS ASSEMBLED WITH THE 2017 PARTS THAT WERE RECALLED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2019Exterior lightingODI 11222424

Electronic stability control (esc)

12 reports1 crash
“THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED IT FOR MY HUSBAND AND HAVE SELDOM DROVE UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN HE WAS INJURED DRIVING IT. HE DROVE THROUGH OUR GARAGE AND DEMOLISHED IT. I HOW DRIVE IT AND FIND THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS THE WORST PROBLEM. NO MATTER WHAT SHOES OR BOOTS YOU ARE WEARING YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IT HAS COST US THOUSANDS IN DAMAGE AND REPAIRS. I DO NOT HAVE PICTURES, BUT WILL OBTAIN THEM AND FORWARD THEM. THE CAR WAS JUST PULLING UP TO BE PARKED OUTSIDE BY OUT GARAGE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURED. THE WEATHER WAS FINE-AUGUST 2017. IT WAS JUST GETTING DARK. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD ASAP UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED OR REPLACED BY GMC. MY SON DRIVES A USED GMC AND IT HAS NONE OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE PICTURE I AM SENDING YOU IS OF (BEN), A TECHNICIAN AT BRETTING MANUFACTURING, INC. IN ASHLAND. BEN HAS ALSO BUILT DIRT TRACK RACE CARS AND I HAVE BUILT JOHN DEERE COMBINES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2018Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11084757
All 2008 Envoy problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl · 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 Oct 30, 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 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142017$3,800523
Envoy 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,000555
Envoy 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$4,000555
Envoy 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131916$4,000555
  • Envoy 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Envoy 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Envoy 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Envoy 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 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 2008 GMC Envoy as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 2588
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

2008 Envoy questions

How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Envoy have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 2008 GMC Envoy problems?

Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (18), exterior lighting (17), electronic stability control (esc) (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 GMC Envoy get?

The EPA rates the 2008 GMC Envoy at 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026