Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 GMC Envoy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear subframe had fractured and detached. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I was in an accident and hit on broadside on the passenger side and driver front corner. The air bags did not go off. They say service soon. The seat belt hurt me as well. It did not lock. I was injured with a torn labrum, back and neck injuries. Head too. I was moving and I was hit on the drivers side and then pushed into another car. I was on a city street. 14 mile near mount 7-22
The front driver side door has no power. The rear passenger door will not open or unlock. The rear driver side door will not latch and stay shut. This all happened when I was getting my kids in the car and now I can't use the car because my kids could fall out. In the other vehicles it was the faulty latch. This happened to other vehicles of the same year and model. Number 05V494000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Envoy. While driving at a slow speed, the front passenger door became ajar without warning. The contact was unable to securely lock the door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 205,000.
Dt*: the contact stated the electronic mirrors re-adjust without warning. The mirrors should maintain the last setting, but require re-adjustment every time the vehicle is driven. Occasionally the mirrors re-adjust while driving making it difficult to change lanes. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer twice for repairs. The dealer replaced the mirrors and made adjustments to the electrical unit. The problem was only alleviated temporarily by the repairs and the mirrors began malfunctioning again a year ago... The mirrors will self adjust the settings. While driving the contact looked in the mirrors to change lanes and they were out of adjustment. Had to constantly adjust the mirrors prior to changing lanes. Also, when shutting the vehicle off, and restarted it, had to adjust the mirrors. The mirrors will not hold the set adjustment. …
Consumer had all of the weather proofing on the vehicle replaced by the dealer as well as the clutch assembly . The fan clutch was replaced, the air bag indicator light came on. The consumer was told that nothing could be done if the light wasn't on at the time. The plastic trim from the seat belt broke, the seat belt failed again, the transmission would drag, the engine light was on and made a grinding noise,the drivers side tire was loosing pressure, the passenger inner door seal leaked, the clock on the radio would reset itself, the drivers side seat belt would lock up when the brakes were applied they would skid and pull to the right.
In regard to my prior complaint I notice that my hinges holding my tailgate on were rusted about a month after I purchase my truck, and took it the dealer service shop. I was told that the hinges were not covered under the certified warranty,although according to the certified car and truck warranty it should have been notice during the bumper to bumper inspection before selling the truck. I can't remember the exact day I took it in I believe it was near the end of the month.
Spare tire hoist secondary latch frozen, 2002 GMC Envoy. Spare tire could not be removed from hoist when a road hazard blowout occurred. Tow truck operator could not remove spare. After a tow to tire vendor, they could not get the spare down. Upon visiting a dealership they could not remove the spare tire and said the mechanism was 'frozen' and had to be replaced for $250, but they didn't have the part in stock. After a trip to another dealership, they cut the hoist cable, removed the spare and replaced the hoist part. One can only imagine the trauma if the family had been on us highway 50 in the middle of nowhere when this incident occurred. This must be a prima-facie violation of the FMVSS code that requires a spare tire. Yes, the spare tire is present, but it can't be installed on the vehicle. …
I purchase a 2002 GMC Envoy 06/05 ,and about 1 month ago I heard a loud noise when I went to open my tail hatch after noticing my passenger side brake light was out. I talk to the dealer about this and was told by the body shop manager that the flap over the hatch was suppose to look like that there is a very noticeable gap,he then said that it probably had been fixed before. And during a later conversation with him he said that it was natural wear and tear. I am the owner and only driver of my truck, and I probably wouldn't have open the back hatch if I hadn't notice the brake light out which I found out is under a recall. My conversations with the dealer and also GMC have lead to no where. I took the truck to an outside repair shop who look at the hatch and also said that it had been repair before and to try to work with GMC and the dealer with getting it fixed.
Engine non-start problems -- waiting 15-20 minutes seems to correct. Wandering side view mirrors. Rubbing noise when turning tightly. Driver's side door movement noise when turning over bumps. Side mirror air noise. The 1st. Two (2) problems have been ongoing, and the most concerning, since the vehicle was purchased new in 2001. It has been in for repairs to two (2) GMC dealers numerous times, and an ignition recall repair was done and the dealer assumed it would correct the non-start problem. It did until yesterday. More importantly however, shortly after this vehicle was purchased, GMC's owner assistance help has been sought for these (2) problems assuming they May inform the dealer of engineering fixes, but to no avail.
Related recalls
Structure › Body
Certain sport utility vehicles are missing welds on the rear floor plan.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds. If missing welds are found, GM will exchange the vehicle for an equivalent vehicle or provide a refund of the purchase price. Owner notification began October 4, 2002.
Structure › Body
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 at less than the 10g vertical load requirement of the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the console latch mechanism and install a striker plate. Owner notification began July 16, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Body complaints in other Envoy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2002 GMC Envoy?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the body & structure of the 2002 GMC Envoy, 4% of the model year's 487 complaints. The component named most often is body (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 GMC Envoy body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-273 (body, Oct 4, 2002); NHTSA recall 01V-158 (body, May 16, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Envoy body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 132,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.