2002 GMC Envoy Powertrain & Transmission Problems

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT SATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO SECURE THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE SHIFTER LINKAGE BUSHING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

WHILE DRIVING THE ENVOY AT ABOUT 45 MPH, A WARNING LIGHT SAYING "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" CAME ON SUDDENLY, THE CAR DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MPH, AND THAT CONTINUES TO OCCUR. I CAN TURN OFF AND RESTART THE CAR, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNS WITHIN A MINUTE AFTER DRIVING IT AGAIN. I STARTED INVESTIGATING WHAT THAT MEANS ONLINE, AND, AS WITH ANYTHING ELSE ON THE INTERNET, I SEE MANY OPINIONS, GUESSES, AND POSSIBILITIES. COULD BE A BAD SENSOR, BAD THROTTLE CONTROL, BAD WIRE CONNECTIONS, ETC. BUT THIS MUCH APPEARS CLEAR: (1) IT IS A GM PROBLEM, AND A VERY, VERY COMMON ONE. (2) IT IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS PRETTY OBVIOUS - THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES SPEED AND EVIDENTLY SOMETIMES STALLS OUT ALTOGETHER. BUT HEARING ABOUT SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE'S SCARY EXPERIENCES JUST CONFIRMS THIS. (3) IT CAN BE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX. WHEN I THINK OF THESE FACTS, COUPLED WITH GM'S RECENT HISTORY, I IMMEDIATELY THINK "RECALL." THIS CERTAINLY APPEARS TO BE AN APPROPRIATE SITUATION FOR A MANUFACTURER TO STEP IN AND FIX THE ISSUE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET ANGRY WITH GM, GET HURT, OR GET KILLED. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO SOLD THE CAR (I AM THE SECOND OWNER), IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. I WAS TOLD THAT I CAN BRING IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS FOR $110. (GEE, THANKS - WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT.) THE CUSTOMER REP LOOKED UP THE VIN AND SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RECALL OR ANY SPECIAL POLICY. THEREFORE, I AM CONTACTING YOU IN HOPE THAT SOMETHING ELSE CAN BE DONE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE GEARS ON THE DIFFERENTIAL STARTED GRINDING AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 131,000.

STOP ENGINE/LOW OIL PRESSURE DISPLAY CONTINUALLY COMES ON AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND AT TIMES WILL STALL. AFTER REPLACING PCM, OIL SENDING UNIT, THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, CLEANING THE PCV VALVE AND MAP SENSOR AND MULTIPLE OTHER PARTS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS AND STATED THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE CAM SHAFT ACTUATOR (FOR A COST OF APPROX. $885), BUT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FROM 02/14/2011 UNTIL 11/07/12 AND STILL UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I'VE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC MANUFACTURER, BUT STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE MY ISSUES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC ENVOY .THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE BUT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SHIFTER SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,500.

DRIVE TRAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE ON MY NEW SUV WITHIN A FIVE YEAR PERIOD. IT HAD THE SAME DAMAGE PROBLEM BOTH TIMES, WHICH IFILL THIS IS A BIT OUT THE RAM FOR THIS 'TYPE OF TRUCK(SUV) .THE CAR WOULD DRIVE FORWARD BUT WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE, AND IT HAPPENED ON THE HWY. *TR

I JUST EXPERIENCED A SAFETY DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE HAD VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. IT INVOLVES THE FAILURE OF THE SHIFT CABLE ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER. YOU UNKNOWINGLY LOOSE THE ABILITY TO PLACE THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE "PARK" POSITION, WITH THE RESULTING VEHICLE MOVEMENT OF AN APPARENTLY PARKED VEHICLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP. -- THANKS *TR

I HAVE A 2002 GMC ENVOY WHICH HAS A DESTROYED TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE WELL KNOWN (BUT UNBEKNOWNST TO ME) FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES. THIS IS A CLEAR DESIGN FLAW, AS THE ROUTING IS CLOSE TO THE CATALYST. BESIDES THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS OF AN ON THE ROAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE LOCATION MAKES A FIRE LIKELY. THE DESIGN FLAW IS DOCUMENTED IN TSB PT-4722. I BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE BEACH (SANDY HOOK NATIONAL PARK, NJ) WHEN MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I USED ON STAR TO REMOTE DIAGNOSE THE CODE, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ERROR IN MY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY NEAREST SERVICE CENTER WHO INSPECTED MY TRUCK AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION LINES THAT HAD JUST SIMPLY 'CORRODED' AND THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAS ALMOST BEEN RUNNING ON NO FLUID. THIS WAS SHOCKING CONSIDERING I MAINTAIN GOOD CARE OF MY 2002 ENVOY AND HAD SEEN NO SIGN OF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT WAS INFORMED IT WAS SOMEHOW ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF MY TRUCK. THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE LINES FOR A COST OF 690 DOLLARS, BUT I STILL FEEL THAT SOMETHING IS NOT QUITE RIGHT WITH THIS SITUATION AND HAVE TALKED TO OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE LEAK FROM CORROSION ON 2002 GMC ENVOY. HAD TO DO SPLICE OF CORRODED SECTION AND REPLACED WITH COPPER COUPLING. *TR

VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE WHEN PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK POSITION. AFTER SWITCHING FROM 4WD TO 2HI ETC. IT SOMETIMES WILL ENGAGE AND MOVE. IF IN FACT THE VEHICLE MOVES IT HESITATES WHEN MAKING DEEP TURNS. FOR THE MOST PART IT IS STUCK IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE WAS A DIAGNOSED PROBLEM BY DEALERSHIP IN 2006. NEW PART BOUGHT AND INSTALLED BY DEALERSHIP. *TR

AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT AT A NORMAL PACE AND REACHING A SPEED OF ALMOST 50MPH THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK AND A RRRRR SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW AS THE RPM'S WENT UP, ALL FORWARD DRIVE WAS GONE. WE ALMOST GOT REARENDED... THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM OR WAS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM ,IT JUST BROKE..DEALER SAYS NEED NEW TRANSMISSION.. APPARENTLY GM HAS A SUN GEAR ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION.. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 GMC ENVOY ONTO A LOCAL EXPRESSWAY WHEN SHE TRIED TO ACCELERATE, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE/TRANNY AREA, THEN NOTICED HIGH RPMS AND THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING, SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. I CAME TO HER LOCATION AND NOTICED LOSS OF REVERSE AND A "WHINE" COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL GMC DEALER, THAT SAME DAY IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE SUN SHELL. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE, I WILL BE PURSING THIS FURTHER WITH GM. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD "CLUNK" UPON STARTING AND STOPPING. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BANG AND THEN THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND WITHOUT REVVING THE ENGINE VERY HIGH AND THEN LETTING OFF THE GAS. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS NO REVERSE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE REVERSE SUNSHELL GEAR THAT BROKE. IT WAS REPLACED. *TR

NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. EXITING FROM PARKING LOT, HEARD LOUD BANG, CAR JERKED, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. LIMPED CAR HOME(1/2 MILE). UPON FURTHER INSPECTION 2002 GMC ENVOY HAD NO REVERSE GEAR. RESEARCHING ONLINE SHOWS 4L60E TRANSMISSION, REACTION SUNSHELL & REACTION SUNGEARS PREMATURELY FAIL DUE TO SUBSTANDARD PARTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC ENVOY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A WHINING NOISE AND CATAPULTED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS AND THE SPEED DECREASED. THE GEARS RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED AND THE FIRST AND SECOND GEARS WERE BARELY FUNCTIONING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUNSHELL IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THE PREVIOUS DAMAGES LED TO THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V075000, 01V283000, AND 01V334000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

2002 GMC ENVOY SLT 60K...WENT OUTSIDE TO START CAR AND HAD A LOUD SWISHING SOUND...TRIED TO PUT IN REVERSE...WOULD NOT GO...HAD TO PUSH OUT TO GET TO WORK...EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS (3500-4500) TO GET THROUGH FIRST...IT ALSO IS JUMPING GEARS...IF YOU TRY TO GO OVER 50 MPH THE CAR WILL REDLINE...WAS TOLD REVERSE REACTION SHELL/SUN SHELL GEAR...THEY HAD A BUNCH OF NAMES FOR IT...WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED...WE NEVER TOWED W/ THIS VEHICLE, NEVER GOT STUCK (THE GM SERVICE PRO STATED THAT THIS WAS POSSIBLY THE REASON FOR FAILURE)...THE VEHICLE IS MAYBE DRIVEN 10K MILES A YEAR...WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS W/ THIS THING...WE ALREADY HAVE REPLACED THE CLUTCH FAN LAST YEAR...AND HAD NUMEROUS LITTLE PROBLEMS SINCE...ALL THE POSTS I HAVE READ CLEARLY SHOWS THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL...THE PRICES I HAVE SEEN ON POSTS IS RIDICULOUS TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION...$2K TO $3K...SO FOR NOW IT IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY...I WILL GET THE QUOTE THIS WEEK FROM MY MECHANIC AND AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 60,000 MILES DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS INSTALLED DURING THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING PROCESS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE 75 AT NIGHT WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD, 16 YEAR OLD, AND 18 YEAR OLD NEPHEW RETURNING TO COLLEGE AFTER WINTER BREAK ON JAN. 2,003. WE WERE LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AFTER WE ALMOST WRECKED. THE GEARS WERE JUMPING BACK AND FORTH FROM 2 WHEEL TO WHEEL DRIVE. I TOOK TO A LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COSTS ME 2500 TO REPAIR-THE PROBLEM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. I CONTACTED THE 1800 GM SERVICE LINE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ASSISTING WITH REPAIRS DUE TO MILEAGE. I ASKED AROUND AT DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR AND TRANSMISSION SHOPS AND THEY SAID THAT GM KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL IN ENVOYS, TRAILBLAZERS, AND ISUZUS. EVEN IF THE PROBLEM GETS FIXED, IM TOLD THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL GM ADDRESSES THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE DIFFERENTIALS. I BELIEVE MY GEAR PROBLEM CAUSED THE DIFFERENTIAL TO FAIL. MEANWHILE I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER YEAR AND A HALF ON. IT IS REALLY AN INCONVENIENCE TO ME. I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR, THE CAR SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY. IM BEHIND ON MY CAR PAYMENT, HAVING TO RENT A CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK. GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE CLUTCH FAN GOING OUT, COSTING ME OVER $500 TO REPAIR ON MY OWN. GM REFUSED TO HELP. THIS WENT OUT AT 33,000, SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. I AM REALLY BURDENED RIGHT NOW AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR