Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Check engine light is on. According to tests it is the result of a defective throttle position sensor. The light will stay on for a couple of days and then go off for a couple of days creating a error message that something is wrong with the engine. With it going on and coming off it is now difficult for me to get my inspection completed with the sensor reading not being accurate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while attempting to drive up an incline, the vehicle made a tapping noise and the four wheel drive failed to engage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the front right side of the shaft housing failed, causing the four wheel drive to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 109,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 GMC Envoy. While in park, the vehicle independently reversed and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
I purchased a 2007 GMC Envoy from Premier Auto Sales in [redacted] in [redacted]. I put down $1,250 and I pay $500 a month, $250 bi-weekly. I owe $4767 left on the vehicle in total. A month or two after I bought the vehicle, my car started driving rough and not being able to handle small bumps without rocking violently. I took the vehicle to Jay's Auto Repair in [redacted] where the owner [redacted] placed the vehicle on a rack and lifted it up to identify the issue. Both rear control arms rusted off of the frame and had completely unattached. While handling this, [redacted] called me over to come look at the undercarriage of the vehicle to advise me that the vehicle's frame is completely rusted out, and is not safe for my [redacted] or myself to be driving or riding in. …
When starting the vehicle it turns over as if it wasn't going to start then it starts then put it in drive and it revs up without moving seems like its going to to pull out but barely moves while driving down the highway in curves it p pulls tords traffic like real hard my drivers side mirror hit someone On a corner because of the suspension the going up and down hill it almost put me in the ditch because of jerking
Tl*- the contact owns a 2006 GMC Envoy denali. There was a vibration in the vehicle when the gas pedal was applied while traveling between 30 and 40 MPH. The vehicle would also vibrate at any speed. It felt and sounded as if it needed to shift gears, as in a manual vehicle, but was in the wrong gear. It was involved in a crash in November 2006. Two dealers stated that there was a technical service bulletin that referenced the failure, but there was nothing they could do to correct it. When engaging the brake the vehicle would move forward and a noise could be heard. The noise frequently occurred after a quick stop. This failure had occurred during the same period of time. The dealer diagnosed the failure, and stated they have repaired the noise, but it continued to occur. The current mileage was 14,000, and the failure mileage was 13,118.
All the gages have stopped working correctly. They do not report proper information to driver . The electrical wiring to the rear wiper, license plate lights and rear hatch stopped working. The most dangerous thing is the ABS brake system dash lights and bell comes on every time the car is driven and the brake pedal goes to the floor when trying to stop.
My vehicle when purchased was altered from cloth seats to leather by the dealership where purchased. 3 days ago my car is signaling me to service airbag while driving the car or in idle. So I immediately took it to a certified mechanic at meineke and was told that this is a manufacturer defect and there is a recall for this on my year, make & model SUV. I called GM on 11/29/2019 and was told by a supervisor named angel there has been no recalls by their manufacturer and there is nothing more she can do about the matter. I cannot drive my car like this knowing this can be potentially harmful and hazardous.
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Automatic transmission
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 ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park.
Remedy: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began on May 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The calibration of the transfer case control module could cause insufficient high speed gear engagement.
Remedy: Dealers will update the transfer case control module calibration to increase gear engagement. Owner notification began November 6, 2001.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles (4 wheel-drive). Some of these vehicles were built with a range shift collar in the transmission transfer case that contains cracks.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transfer cases and update the control module calibration. Owner notification began September 6, 2001.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Envoy years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (83), 2003 (37), 2006 (20), 2005 (18) and 2004 (15) model years. Transmission complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for GMC Envoy transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 03V-075 (automatic transmission, Mar 6, 2003); 01V-334 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), Oct 17, 2001); 01V-283 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), Sep 5, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Envoy transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (88 mentions), followed by the transfer case (4-wheel drive) (27).
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.