RoadVitals

2006 GMC Envoy Denali Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Oct 23, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 84 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 GMC Envoy Denali submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 23, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD START, IT WOULD CUT OFF IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BETTEN BAKER CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (14120 NORTHLAND DR, BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307 (231) 629-4340) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

NHTSA ID
11035701
Incident
Sep 23, 2017
Mileage
126,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 5, 2017

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE TRAVELING WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING AT ALL AND ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART BUT WOULD TURN. THIS HAPPENED SATURDAY 9/2/17 ON A COUNTRY HIGHWAY OUT IN NOWHERE . WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THANK GOD FOR CELLPHONES. ON 11/12/2016 HUB BEARINGS REPLACED. 11/15/16 MODULE AND CONNECTOR REPLACED AND FUEL LEVEL SENSORS AND RING REPLACED. THREE YEARS AGO A/C WENT OUT. REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11021659
Incident
Sep 2, 2017
Mileage
90,447 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 13, 2016

JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS MY 2006 GMC ENVOY DENALI HAS A BAD #7 LIFTER. WHERE ARE THE RECALLS????? GM IS GETTING AWAY WITH RIPPING OFF THE PUBLIC AND NO ONE CARES. JUST BAIL THEM OUT AND THEN LET THEM ROB ALL OF US ALSO???????????????

NHTSA ID
10874009
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
148,001 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 15, 2016

FAILURE OF THE DOD LIFTER, ALSO KNOWN AS THE ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. WHILE AT SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, THE DOD LIFTER ON CYLINDER #7 FAILED CAUSING A MISFIRE ON THE CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED TEH ENGINE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS THE 2ND FAILURE OF A DOD LIFTER ON MY TRUCK. IN NOV 2014, A DOD LIFTER ON CYLINDER #6 FAILED, CAUSING A ENGINE MISFIRE AND A VIOLENT SHAKE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE LACK OF OIL PRESSURIZE THE DOD LIFTER. UPON DECIDING TO REBUILD THE MOTOR RATHER THAN REPLACING THE MOTOR, WE DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE MOTOR SIMPLY BECAUSE THE MOTOR WOULD NEED A FULL TEAR DOWN ANYWAY. THE LIFTERS, OIL PRESSURE SOLENOIDS OF THE DOD LIFTERS, ROCKERS, ROCKER ARMS, SPRINGS AND CAMSHAFT WERE ALL REPLACED THINKING THAT WE MIGHT AS WELL REBUILD THE BLOCK WITH NEW COMPONENTS TO SAVE OFF ANY FUTURE ISSUES. AFTER 1 MONTH IN THE GMC SERVICE CENTER, THE VEHICLE WAS BACK ON THE ROAD IN DEC 2014. THIS REPAIR WAS $5,900.00 IN MARCH 2016, YES 14 MONTHS LATER, A 2ND FAILURE OF A DOD LIFTER OCCURRED ON CYLINDER #7. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME ISSUES AS IN NOV 2014. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE REBUILT MOTOR ON NEW COMPONENTS INSTALLED IN NOV 2014. THIS REPAIR WILL COST $2500 JUST TO REPLACE THE 1 LIFTER. NO OTHER COMPONENTS. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT A THE DOD FAILURE IS MORE COMMON AND IS A DESIGN FLAW OF THE ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THIS ISSUE IS MORE THAN A TSB ISSUE, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10849676
Incident
Mar 10, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 24, 2014

ENGINE STALLED A FEW SECONDS AFTER STARTING, THEN WOULD NOT CRANK, ONLY CLICKED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. TECHNICIAN CHECKED BATTERY. IT WAS FULLY CHARGED AND VEHICLE HAD FULL VOLTAGE. DIAGNOSTICS DETERMINED LOW VOLTAGE OUT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. RECOMMENDED IGNITION SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACED. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED TWICE ALREADY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THREE IGNITION SWITCHES IN THREE YEARS AT A TOTAL COST OF $817. I UNDERSTAND THAT GM HAS RECALLED IGNITION SWITCHES ON SEVERAL MODELS BUT THE ENVOY IS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL. OBVIOUSLY MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, WHY IS IT NOT PART OF THE RECALL? THE FIRST IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AT 65-70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. SINCE THE REST OF THE ELECTRONICS ARE CONNECTED TO THE IGNITION I HAVE NO SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS AIR BAGS. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649561
Incident
Oct 13, 2014
Mileage
62,070 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 24, 2014

ENGINE WOULDN'T CRANK AT TIMES. STARTS NORMALLY WHEN IT DOES. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF HAVING THIS PROBLEM I TOOK A THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. DIAGNOSTICS DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED 14 MONTHS AND 6070 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE PART WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT DIAGNOSTICS AND LABOR WAS $220. THE FIRST IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AT 65-70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. I UNDERSTAND THAT GM HAS RECALLED IGNITION SWITCHES ON SEVERAL MODELS BUT THE ENVOY IS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL. OBVIOUSLY MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, WHY IS IT NOT PART OF THE RECALL? THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. SINCE THE REST OF THE ELECTRONICS ARE CONNECTED TO THE IGNITION I HAVE NO SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS AIR BAGS. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649554
Incident
Nov 26, 2012
Mileage
51,505 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 24, 2014

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65-70 MPH. THE ENGINE LUGGED A LITTLE LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS BUT THE TANK WAS HALF FULL. THE ENGINE RESUMED RUNNING AT FULL SPEED. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO COAST LONG ENOUGH TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY. BUT WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND BRAKES THIS WAS NOT AN EASY TASK. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK BUT THE DRIVER COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO PUT IT ON THE CAR CARRIER BECAUSE THE SHIFTER IS TIED TO THE ELECTRONICS. WITHOUT POWER IT DOES NOT WORK. HE HAD TO CALL FOR ANOTHER TOW TRUCK TO PULL THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TESTED AND FOUND LOW VOLTAGE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. HE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. DIAGNOSTICS, PART AND LABOR $307. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IF I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF TRAFFIC I WOULD HAVE BEEN A SITTING DUCK IN THE MIDDLE IF THE FREEWAY. SINCE THE REST OF THE ELECTRONICS ARE CONNECTED TO THE IGNITION I HAD NO SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS AIR BAGS. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649549
Incident
Sep 21, 2011
Mileage
45,435 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jun 26, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS INTERMITTENTLY ROARING NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10606249
Incident
Jan 6, 2014
Mileage
45,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 2, 2014

IN THE MORNING THE CAR RUN FINE, BUT ONCE THE ENGINE IS WARM AND I START TO RUN ERRANDS IT STALLS. IF I WAIT ABOUT 10MIN OR SO... I MUST SPEED HOME OR TO A SAFE AREA TO LET THE ENGINE COOL. IF I COME BACK IN A FEW HOURS,THE TRUCK WILL START WITH NO PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE OFTEN THEN I REMEMBER. IS THERE ANYONE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES? *TR

NHTSA ID
10586255
Incident
Jan 8, 2014
Mileage
83,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 1, 2014

I'VE HAD CAR ONE MONTH TO THE DAY WERE DO I START .THE CAR CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. SHOWS CODES ONE SEC. NEXT SEC I HAVE SEVERAL LOOKS CLEAN BUT SO MANY PROBS I REALLY FEEL [XXX]. I PURCHASED A LEMON INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10586033
Incident
Apr 30, 2014
Mileage
133,700 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 28, 2013

AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES ON CRUISE CONTROL I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC AND PULL OVER ON THE FREEWAY, I THEN DROVE OFF THE FREEWAY ON THE SHOULDER AND INTO THE NEAREST GM DEALER AT MAXIMUM SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED SEVERAL TIMES RESULTING IN REWIRING OF THE THROTTLE BODY CONNECTOR AND FINALLY REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY AFTER THE THIRD INCIDENT OF THE SAME ISSUE. LOSS OF POWER AND UNABLE TO PROCEED AT MORE THAN ABOUT 30 MPH. *TT

NHTSA ID
10537614
Incident
Nov 20, 2012
Mileage
75,329 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2013

IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF MY 2006 GMC ENVOY DENALI THERE IS A COMPRESSOR. THERE MUST BE A LEAK BECAUSE MY CAR LOOKS LIKE A LOW RIDER IN THE MORNING UNTIL I START IT AND THE COMPRESSOR COMES ON AND IN ABOUT 3 OR 4 MINUTES IT IS BACK TO IT'S NORMAL DRIVABLE HEIGHT. HAS THERE BEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH ANYONE ELSE AND IS THERE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID
10533729
Incident
Feb 14, 2013
Mileage
114,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 26, 2012

MY GMC ENVOY DENALI 2006 USES UP TO 2 TO 3 QUARTS OF OIL IN A 30 DAY PERIOD. I HAVE NO LEAKS OR EXHAUST PROBLEMS. IT FINALLY COLLAPSED A LIFTER AND PUSH ROD. SAYS THERE IS NO NOTICE OR RECALL, BUT THE IS THE SAME ENGINE THEY USED IN THE 2003 PONTIAC, THEY DID RECALL THOSE MOTORS. DOES ANY ONE HAVE SOME HELP FOR ME? *TR

NHTSA ID
10453141
Incident
Mar 19, 2012
Mileage
65,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 2, 2011

REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY. ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THE ENGINE HAS ONLY 8K MILES SINCE ENGINE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10438109
Incident
Oct 15, 2011
Mileage
116,000 mi
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+5 more
Filed Aug 16, 2011

2006 ENVOY DENALI. CONSUMER WRITES STATES GAS NEEDLE STOPPED FUNCTIONING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS NEEDLE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE IN THE BEGINNING AND SINCE THAT TIME, THE NEEDLE HAS BEEN STUCK ON EMPTY, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS A RESULT. IN MARCH OF 2009, WHEN THE CONSUMER STARED THE VEHICLE, IT SOUNDED AS IF THERE WAS SOMETHING METAL TUMBLING AROUND UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON JUNE 10, 2010, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED A STARTER WAS NEEDED. ALSO, AN ALIGNMENT WAS DONE AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPLACED. ON JUNE 12, 2010, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. AFTER 25 MINUTES AND OVER 50 ATTEMPTS, IT FINALLY CAME OUT OF PARK. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. SEPTEMBER 2010, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE REAR OF THE TRUCK WAS SITTING VERY LOW. THE REAR END AIR SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITION RANDOMLY WORKED. THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THE AIR WOULD JUST START BLOWING AND NO BUTTONS WERE PUSHED. ALSO, THE DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT COMING OUT OF PARK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10420249
Incident
Sep 1, 2008
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 18, 2011

FUEL SENSOR FAILURE IN THE GAS TANK. CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO READ EMPTY WHEN FULL, CAUSING THE SUV TO STALL WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ONE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *KB

NHTSA ID
10413389
Incident
Jul 10, 2011
Mileage
42,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .