GMC Envoy Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank GMC Envoy model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1995 drew the fewest (1) and the 2005 the most (497).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Fuel system | — | — |
| 1997 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Fuel system | — | — |
| 1996 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | 1 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 1999 | 9 | 1 | Suspension | — | — |
| 2009 | 17 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | 16–17 |
| 1998 | 19 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 2000 | 22 | 1 | Visibility | — | — |
| 2008 | 77 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 16–17 |
| 2007 | 278 | 5 | Electrical system | — | 16–17 |
| 2004 | 374 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 16 |
| 2003 | 401 | 7 | Electrical system | — | 15–16 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
447 | 8 | Fuel system | — | 16–17 |
| 2002 Among the most complaints |
496 | 13 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 16 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
497 | 2 | Fuel system | — | 15–16 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the GMC Envoy years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2005 GMC Envoy: 497 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 198 (40%); Electrical system 189 (38%); Exterior lighting 45 (9%).
Reports mention 27 crashes, 14 fires, 34 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 78,626 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2002 GMC Envoy: 496 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 88 (18%); Power train 83 (17%); Electrical system 70 (14%).
Reports mention 42 crashes, 12 fires, 47 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 13 recall campaigns listed.
2006 GMC Envoy: 447 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 169 (38%); Electrical system 113 (25%); Exterior lighting 60 (13%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 26 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 76,721 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
The GMC Envoy years with the fewest complaints
1996 GMC Envoy: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (50%); Fuel system 1 (50%); Vehicle speed control 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in GMC Envoy owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 110,000 |
| 2008 | 77 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 2007 | 278 | 10 | 19 | 7 | 0 | 75,431 |
| 2006 | 447 | 10 | 26 | 6 | 0 | 76,721 |
| 2005 | 497 | 27 | 14 | 34 | 2 | 78,626 |
| 2004 | 374 | 25 | 11 | 31 | 1 | 72,001 |
| 2003 | 401 | 43 | 8 | 38 | 4 | 73,134 |
| 2002 | 496 | 42 | 12 | 47 | 2 | 65,000 |
| 2001 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 77,000 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest GMC Envoy recalls
- GM/FMVSS 225/OWNER'S MANUAL INFORMATION (2002–2003 model years; 1,707,825 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2003; 03V250000)
- GM/WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY (2002–2003 model years; 581,394 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2004; 04V046000)
- GM/FMVSS 114/MECHANICAL OVERRIDE (2002–2003 model years; 511,167 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2003; 03V075000)
- Headlamps may Fail (2006–2007 model years; 429,170 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2015; 15V519000)
- GM/FMVSS 101/208/INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (2002 model year; 314,300 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2003; 03V096000)
All 27 GMC Envoy recall campaigns · GMC Envoy problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
GMC Envoy years FAQ
Which GMC Envoy year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1995 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there GMC Envoy years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2005, 2002 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common GMC Envoy problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (724 of 2,646 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the GMC Envoy have?
NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns covering the GMC Envoy. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the GMC Envoy recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.