2002 GMC Envoy: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 12, 2025 · AZ

Went to store bought food Left store and car started chugging and losing power When I got home my son said he could smell exhaust and it sounds like the catalytic converter

Filed Jun 17, 2017 · Steering · 156,288 miles · TX

On this model of trailblazers and envoys there is a serious issue with the power steering line cracking on the back side if the steering shaft, causing fluid to spray out and immediate loss of power steering. When this line broke my wife was driving at highway speeds with my 4 kids in the vehicle, and she was barely able to maneuver the vehicle out of traffic to a safe spot, almost causing an accident. I have spoken with many other owners of these SUV's and found this to be a very common problem.

Filed Aug 27, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 40 miles · PA

While in motion only, a engine light accompanied by a reduced engine power engages making the vehicle unmanageable to response and cause the vehicle to stall.

Filed Dec 29, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 124,500 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jun 2, 2015 · Electrical · 248,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc envoy. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle experienced a total loss of power and the instrument panel malfunctioned. The vehicle was not able to be restarted and had to be towed away to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the main fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 248,000.

Filed May 1, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 73,710 miles · TX

Over the years I owned this vehicle, I had it serviced numerous times for engine failure. The last and final time, the dealership (ewing automotive) could not find anything wrong. However, while traveling on the highway at 60 miles an hour with a full tank of gas, I lost all power steering control and the car stopped dead. This was extremely dangerous and LED me to take a minimal amount in a sale, just to get rid of this dangerous car. It is very disappointing to learn that gm was fully aware of this deadly issue.

Filed Mar 29, 2012 · Fuel system · 119,217 miles · OH

In february of 2012 I began to notice a very large odor of gasoline coming from the rear of the vehicle. I have owned this car since september of 2009 and this has just become and issue. Looked up vehicle recalls and came across this. Summary: on certain sport utility vehicles, a fuel filter fitting can become disconnected. If this were to occur while attempting to start the engine, a no-start condition would result and fuel would be pumped out the fuel filter onto the ground. Consequence: if the fitting becomes disconnected while the vehicle is in motion, the engine would stop due to inadequate fuel supply and cause a loss of power steering assist. If an ignition source were present, fuel leakage from a disconnected fuel filter fitting could result in a fire. Actions: dealers will replace the fuel filter quick connect retainers. Owner notification began september 20, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020. Gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official the federal safety agency page concerning recall #02v121000 gm said my car was not eligable for repair.

Filed Dec 24, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 147,378 miles · OH

When I start the truck in the morning it sounds like the engine is revved up with the loud fan noise. I had the fan clutch replaced independently and the loud noise continues and a slight loss of power at times while driving and it feels like it's taking too long shift into the next gear. The noise is really heard when you accelerate on the gas pedal.

Filed Jun 17, 2009 · Engine · 98,000 miles · NC

Driving on the interstate at 65 MPH. Without any warning the vehicle suddenly lost power. No warnings flashed on the information panel or anything. Able to coast the vehicle to a safe stop. Scared too death! Could have gotten killed. Tried several times to restart the vehicle it would not. Waited along side the interstate for 15 - 20 minutes before the vehicle restarted. This vehicle completely shut down without any warning!

Filed Nov 30, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · CA

2002 gmc envoy slt. Engine stalls at highway speeds. Loss of power brakes and steering. Engine will not restart for anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. This is the 5th time that this has happened to me in the past 4 years. 4 times on the freeway and once on a surface road. This time I was with my wife and 11 month old daughter. I was not able to pull the car over to a safe location. I ended up in the left shoulder in next to the fast lane with only about a foot of space to my right where the cars were whizzing by. I cannot tell you the terror that I felt, as my daughter was in her child car seat on that side as the cars passed honking. This vehicle is very unsafe. I have read many internet postings and it appears that this problem occurs often with this make and model, yet whenever I take the vehicle to the dealership all I get is: no codes are displayed, we can't duplicate the problem, or they start throwing parts at it. So far I have replaced a fuel pump and a crank angle sensor, had the fuel injectors cleaned. The problem persists. I want to make sure that my description is clear. The engine temperature is normal, voltage is normal, outside temperature can be hot, warm or cold, it can be day or night. It has happened in all of these conditions. What is worse is that I cannot restart the engine for around 20-30 minutes, presumably there is some sort of reset on the computer ECM/PCM that occurs that grants me the right to now drive my vehicle again? This is unacceptable. My daughter, my wife or I could have been injured or even killed. I have never complained about this before except to the dealer but now that I have a baby, I am livid. I am a very experienced driver and have always been able to pull the vehicle to safety even without the power assisted brakes or steering. I very much worry about less experienced drivers such as my wife who is from a foreign country and has only been driving for two years. If she had been driving we would have.

Filed Sep 2, 2007 · Engine · MI

A couple of months ago I took my vehicle in for several complaints and a repair under warranty. I explained to the dealer the loud fan noise, loss of power during this noise, which happened occasionally upon start up and disappeared after a mile or two of travel. At this time I was told they could not locate the problem. Now the noise is constant. I had a mechanic drive it during this noise and he indicated it was a failed clutch fan. In my research to find a tsb (aka technical service bulletin) related to my issue, I was able to find such a bulletin, amongst many customer complaints with the same issue.

Filed May 16, 2006 · Engine · TX

Severe loss of engine power, loud noises from engine and poor shifting and very poor acceleration.