The Lemon Index
20082nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 4,857 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee 532009 Ford Edge2009 Nissan Murano 80
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- GMC sent dealers 979 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Service update for inventory and customer vehicles”?
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 2 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 →
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 979 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service update for inventory and customer vehicles
- Gmc/buick/oldsmobile/saab: bump or thump noise is heard coming from the rear suspension or…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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
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 $3,550–$3,750 (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. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-envoy/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 GMC Envoy reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 GMC Envoy reliable?
We can't score it: only 4,857 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 GMC Envoy problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, other (50%), stability control (50%) and brakes (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 GMC Envoy have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 GMC Envoy get?
16 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 GMC Envoy have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 GMC Envoy cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 GMC Envoy have?
4.2L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What GMC Envoy year is better than the 2009?
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