Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 GMC Envoy problems
Owners filed 77 complaints about the 2008 GMC Envoy with NHTSA between Mar 2008 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (18).
Complaints
77
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system18
- Exterior lighting17
- Electronic stability control (esc)12
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Suspension7
- Seat belts5
- Air bags5
- Power train5
- Engine4
- Steering3
- Service brakes3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Wheels2
- Visibility2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
3
6
1
2
7
18
8
9
9
6
4
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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”
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.”
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.”
Engine and engine cooling
8 reports
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ACCORDING TO TESTS IT IS THE RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN GO OFF FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS CREATING A ERROR MESSAGE THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. WITH IT GOING ON AND COMING OFF IT IS NOW DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET MY INSPECTION COMPLETED WITH THE SENSOR READING NOT BEING ACCURATE. *TR”
Suspension
7 reports
“HAVE REPLACED RIGHT SIDE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY TWICE, AND HAVE TO REPLACE IT A THIRD TIME, IN 4 YEAR'S. GETTING BEST PART FROM O'REILLY'S AUTO PARTS. VEHICLE IS MOVING, FEELS LIKE THE FRONT WHEEL IS GOING TO FLY OFF, SHAKING, WOBBLY, JUST TOTALLY UNSAFE”
Seat belts
5 reports
“The contact owns a 2008 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on several occasions with the driver's side seat belt latched, while attempting to release the seat belt, the seat belt remained locked in the buckle. The contact depressed the release button and wiggled the seat belt several times before the seat belt released. On one occasion while the passenger’s seat was occupied, the seat belt failed to release while depressing the seat belt release button. The contact exited the driver's seat and attempted to assist the passenger to release the seat belt; however, the seat belt tightened around the abdomen. The contact stated that a bystander attempted to assist, but the seat belt failed to release and became tighter around passenger’s abdomen. The contact used a pair of scissors to cut the seat belt webbing to release the passenger. The contact was unable to remove the seat belt even after cutting the webbing. The passenger was not injured and did not receive medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the residence where the contact's spouse inspected the vehicle and attempted to release the seat belt. The vehicle was not repaired or…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.