The Lemon Index
200320052nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
153 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2432004 Nissan Murano 2332004 Hyundai Santa Fe 78
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 GMC Envoy
- Headlights41 complaintsmostly at 36,000–98,000 miles (58,000–158,000 km)
- Engine stalling40 complaintsmostly at 40,000–101,000 miles (64,000–163,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion18 complaintsmostly at 54,000–89,000 miles (86,000–143,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 711 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 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 10,000 and 49,000 miles (16,000–79,000 km) (the middle half of the 102 complaints, of all 153 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), 05V198000 (lights) and 04V527000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- GMC sent dealers 744 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Whine noise from rear axle”?
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 153 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 10K to 48K miles (16K to 79K km) on the car (102 of all 153 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
Vacation to yosemite, the tachometer gets stuck and gives the wrong reading, without any warning. It has been consistently giving me the wrong rpm ever since. I have done nothing to correct the problem.
2004 GMC Envoy owner · NHTSA complaint 10182528
More owner reports
Driving on the highway apx 70 mph. Speedometer was indications 110 mph. Pulled over and speedometer still indicated 35 mph while I was stopped.
NHTSA complaint 10173446
There is a malfunction in consumer GMC Envoy power train control module resulting in failure to accelerate.
NHTSA complaint 10143210
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 744 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Whine noise from rear axle
- Squeak, squeal or whistle noise from front axle
- Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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.
- Lights · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMI…
- 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.
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
- ClosedFuel pump module leaks gasoline2007–2008
- ClosedTurn signal failures2005
- ClosedBrake lamp failure2004
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, 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every GMC Envoy year. 2004 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-envoy/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 GMC Envoy reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 GMC Envoy reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 133; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Envoy year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2007.
What are the most common 2004 GMC Envoy problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (37%), transmission & drivetrain (12%) and engine (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 GMC Envoy have?
3 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 2004 GMC Envoy get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 GMC Envoy problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 49,000 miles (16,000–79,000 km) (the middle half of the 102 complaints, of all 153 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 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 2004 GMC Envoy have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 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 2004 GMC Envoy have?
4.2L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What GMC Envoy year is better than the 2004?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (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