Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 16 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
17 reports
145,000 miles · Jan 9, 2024
Engine
The contact owns a 2009 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service stabili-trak warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle filed accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle w…
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The contact owns a 2009 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service stabili-trak warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle filed accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. Additionally, the contact stated that the battery was drained. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times previously. The contact stated the battery was charged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a peracetic battery drain, the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
NHTSA ODI #11564458
120,000 miles · Nov 1, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
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 BU…
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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 ODI #11372522
150,000 miles · Sep 7, 2019
Exterior Lighting
FOR 5 MONTHS THE HEADLIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO, THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS THEY WERE WORKING MORE THAN NOT, LAST COUPLE MONTHS THEY WERE NOT WORKING MORE THAN THEY DID WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11253806
140,000 miles · Sep 8, 2017
Engine
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 ODI #11022250
110,000 miles · Jun 20, 2017
Electrical System
HEADLIGHT DRIVE MODULE (HDM) CONTROLS BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THIS RELAY HAS FAILED ON ME TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, AT NIGHT RESULTING IN GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO LIGHTS AND UNABLE TO SEE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH AT NIGHT
NHTSA ODI #11000147
112,000 miles · May 2, 2017
Exterior Lighting
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE HDM.
NHTSA ODI #10982981
120,000 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Unknown Or Other
REAR HATCH WINDOW EXPLODED ON ITS OWN INTO A THOUSAND PIECES WITH VEHICLE PARKED IN MILD WEATHER. THIS APPARENTLY IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN THAT IS AN UNADDRESSED SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10860222
69,443 miles · Dec 21, 2015
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 DEALE…
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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. I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING TO OTHER PEOPLE SO WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL.? HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10811403
63,000 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEAD LAMPS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEAD LAMPS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA ODI #10780135
119,000 miles · Oct 1, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME USING THE FOG LIGHTS. AFTER LETTING THE ENGINE COOL DOWN, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND NOTED THAT THE VOLT METER DROPPED TO 12 VOLTS WHEN THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME USING THE FOG LIGHTS. AFTER LETTING THE ENGINE COOL DOWN, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND NOTED THAT THE VOLT METER DROPPED TO 12 VOLTS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000. UPDATE 01/13/16 UPDATED 01/22/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10778976
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights
Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
2009 GMC Envoy Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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