2009 GMC Envoy Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles, 16 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 GMC Envoy (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2009 GMC Envoy. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 6 complaints (35% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and engine (4). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 6% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 978 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 190 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Exterior lighting6 35%
- Electrical system4 24%
- Engine4 24%
- Other or unknown2 12%
- Steering2 12%
- Air bags1 5.9%
- Brakes1 5.9%
- Fuel system1 5.9%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “On december 20, 2015 we were traveling after dark (7:30 pm) and the head lamps went off. We managed to pull out of traffic safely. Could not figure out what happened. After sitting for approximately 5 minutes the lamps came back on and we were driving to our home and the lamps went off again. I took the vehicle to a chevy dealer and they could not help me. I then called the Gmc dealer and got the same response. I then checked online and found out that GM knows of this problem which is caused by a headlamp module overheating. …”
NHTSA complaint #10811403, filed 2015-12, 69,443 milesElectrical system: “Luckily I stopped at a traffic light and the car quit. I put it in park and tried to re-start it but had nothing. A police officer pulled up behind me and radioed for a tow truck. They took it to the dealership and $300.00 dollars later said it was the ignition switch. They gave me the old switch and I still have it. Now I would like to know what would have happened if I had been on a major freeway traveling at 75-80 MPH and the switch were to go out? G m is just recalling certain vehicles, what about all the rest that still have the same thing wrong with them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10569469, filed 2014-03, 56,000 milesEngine: “Only 8 years old and 140,000 miles the exhaust manifold has cracked allowing exhaust fumes to enter the interior of the car. I have had no accidents with this car and I see no reason why the manifold should crack. I have had cars longer then this that never had this problem. Manifolds should not just crack.”
NHTSA complaint #11022250, filed 2017-09, 140,000 milesOther or unknown: “The transmission I had to have it replaced but the one they put in it is really acting like the other transmission did no reverse and the first 2 gears were making this grinding noise I've never heard before and it happened when I was backing out the driveway to go to work lucky I made it to the place where I got it to fix it but I believe this transmission they put in it is going to do the same thing because it drives just like the old one”
NHTSA complaint #11372522, filed 2020-11, 120,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
6% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 63,000 and 120,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 GMC Envoy. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envoy · sedan RWD/AWD | not rated | 3 / 4 | — | — | 4 · 19.1% risk |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2009 GMC Envoy version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envoy 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Envoy 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Envoy 4WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Envoy 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 GMC Envoy in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 978 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11011782Dec 7, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is…
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 11009531Sep 27, 2024Engine. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
Other model years of the GMC Envoy
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 17 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 77 | 85,000 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2007 | 219 | 75,431 | 5 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 352 | 76,360 | 8 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 488 | 78,463 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 367 | 72,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 394 | 73,134 | 7 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 487 | 65,000 | 13 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 5 | 48,051 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 22 | 39,400 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 9 | 57,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 19 | 76,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
All GMC Envoy model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 GMC Envoy have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2009 GMC Envoy as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 GMC Envoy is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 6 complaints (35% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 2009 GMC Envoy been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 GMC Envoy get?
The EPA rates the 2009 GMC Envoy (Envoy 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 GMC Envoy reported?
Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 63,000 and 120,000 miles; 6% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.