The Lemon Index
20032nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
301 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1342002 Hyundai Santa Fe2002 Honda Passport
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 GMC Envoy
- Engine stalling57 complaintsmostly at 28,000–124,000 miles (45,000–200,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion24 complaintsmostly at 60,000–132,000 miles (96,000–212,000 km)
- Headlights23 complaintsmostly at 38,000–160,000 miles (61,000–257,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 566 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 GMC Envoy (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 47,000 miles (26,000–76,000 km) (the middle half of the 132 complaints, of all 301 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 07E014000 (lights), 05V494000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 04V527000 (lights) done? It has 16 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- GMC sent dealers 658 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information regarding calibrations available to correct delays in transmission downshifting…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and GMC's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 301 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 47K miles (26K to 76K km) on the car (132 of all 301 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The engine shut down with out warning while the consumer was driving at 75 mph.
2002 GMC Envoy owner · NHTSA complaint 566238
More owner reports
Vehicle has stalled in traffic five times while traveling between 55 and 60 mph. Dealership has examined vehicle, and could not reproduce the problem.
NHTSA complaint 896005
Consumer states when starting vehicle, vehicle shifts to 4 wheel drive. Cause is unknown. Please provide any further information.
NHTSA complaint 8010723
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 658 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information regarding calibrations available to correct delays in transmission downshifting…
- Service engine soon lamp illuminated, incorrect transmission shifts, poor performance of…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 16
- Lights · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NO 335-1120L-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2005
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.
- Lights · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET.
Show all 16 recalls
- Engine · recall issued 2004
SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AIR SUSPENSION (ECAS) HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ECAS MAY PRODUCE A BRIEF ELECTRICAL SPIKE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." ONE OF THE TWO SENSORS IN THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT…
- Visibility · recall issued 2004
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 …
- Equipment · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE ME…
- Electrical · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION" AND NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE …
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2003
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 IGNITI…
- Body structure · recall issued 2002
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE MISSING WELDS ON THE REAR FLOOR PLAN.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2002
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A FUEL FILTER FITTING CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED.
- Airbags · recall issued 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES (4 WHEEL-DRIVE).
- Body structure · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONSOLE COVER/ARMREST LID LATCH THAT COULD RELEASE A…
- Suspension · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of headlights2017–2021
- ClosedHazard light switch failure2008
- ClosedFuel pump module leaks gasoline2007–2008
- ClosedFuel pump module leaks gasoline2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.2L 6-cyl.
Every GMC Envoy year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-envoy/?y=2002" title="GMC Envoy reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/gmc-envoy/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 GMC Envoy reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 GMC Envoy reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 182; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Envoy year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2007.
What are the most common 2002 GMC Envoy problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (21%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and visibility (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Envoy have?
16 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 GMC Envoy get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Envoy problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 47,000 miles (26,000–76,000 km) (the middle half of the 132 complaints, of all 301 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 GMC Envoy have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 GMC Envoy cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 GMC Envoy have?
4.2L 6-cyl.
What GMC Envoy year is better than the 2002?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2007 drew the fewest (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works