Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 GMC Envoy problems
Owners filed 17 complaints about the 2009 GMC Envoy with NHTSA between Jan 2010 and Jan 2024. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (6).
Complaints
17
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Exterior lighting6
- Engine4
- Electrical system4
- Power train2
- Steering2
- Air bags1
- Wheels1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Fuel system, other1
- Other / unknown2
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
1
0
1
1
3
4
1
3
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 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
Exterior lighting
6 reports
“FOR 5 MONTHS THE HEADLIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO, THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS THEY WERE WORKING MORE THAN NOT, LAST COUPLE MONTHS THEY WERE NOT WORKING MORE THAN THEY DID WORK.”
Engine
4 reports
“The contact owns a 2009 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service stabili-trak warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle filed accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. Additionally, the contact stated that the battery was drained. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times previously. The contact stated the battery was charged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a peracetic battery drain, the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.”
Electrical system
4 reports
“HEADLIGHT DRIVE MODULE (HDM) CONTROLS BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THIS RELAY HAS FAILED ON ME TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, AT NIGHT RESULTING IN GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO LIGHTS AND UNABLE TO SEE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH AT NIGHT”
Power train
2 reports
“THE TRANSMISSION I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED BUT THE ONE THEY PUT IN IT IS REALLY ACTING LIKE THE OTHER TRANSMISSION DID NO REVERSE AND THE FIRST 2 GEARS WERE MAKING THIS GRINDING NOISE I'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE AND IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT THE DRIVEWAY TO GO TO WORK LUCKY I MADE IT TO THE PLACE WHERE I GOT IT TO FIX IT BUT I BELIEVE THIS TRANSMISSION THEY PUT IN IT IS GOING TO DO THE SAME THING BECAUSE IT DRIVES JUST LIKE THE OLD ONE”
Steering
2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAG AND THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,566 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN UPDATED 12/16/2014 *JS”
Air bags
1 report
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.