Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

jay_24

Toyota Motor Company
Models: Toyota Highlander
Number Involved: 154,593
Number Potentially Involved: 59,394
WHY: Brakes in snow

Toyota Motor Company
Models: Toyota Highlander
Number Involved: 154,593
WHy: Gas nozzle cracks during crashes.

Toyota Motor Company
Models: Toyota 4 Runner
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Number Involved: 29482

Add the fact the for the triplets, there are more GMC Envoys on the road than 4 Runners. There are almost 3x more Trailblazers. Shear volume might be a reason there are 4x the complaints on GM Triplets.

Then there is the Toyota engine sludge thing....

Toyota has begun to notify 3.3 million owners of 1997-2002 Toyota and Lexus vehicles with 3.0-liter IMZ V-6 engines and all 1997-2001 Toyota vehicles with 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engines.

hardhawk

Just back to Kansas from the Chicago Auto Show. Saw the new Envoy Denali. Slightly different front bumper and rear bumper, Denali grille, body colored running boards, thicker glass and more sound deadening (from Ranier), the V-8, and a slightly different interior seat design. It looked good, but I still think my 2002 SLT looks great. They did not have pricing yet. It was quite a show, never have been to it before. 840,000 square feet and over 1000 vehicles. Spent 6.5 hours looking at it all. I really liked the new Cadillac SRX. That will probably be my next SUV, especially if they would drop the new 400HP V-8 into it that they are putting in the new hopped up CTX that I saw there.

01_hoe

I saw some pics of the 05 Envoy Denali. Would have liked to have the 6.0 Engine in the Denali. Also, when you pay 30K plus for a vehicle, all should have the sound deadening items that the Rainier has. It doesn't really cost that much more for the sound deadening materials, and would give this platform real class.

ross1962_99

It's the "GMS" price. It's works out to about $1000 below invoice. It's the price the dealership paid to get the car on the lot including transport and any advertising. (I work for EDS. We provide computer services to GM).

redline65

Looks like GM is recalling 636,000 Trailblazers and Envoys to patch the vent hole in the windshield wiper module. Has anyone gotten a notice yet?

ficuss

Is buying a G.M product like buying a ticket on a commercial airliner now? No two passengers pay the same amount for a seat. Does just about everyone who buys a G.M. car or truck qualify for some sort of discount? Will the rest of us get some sort of discount because we paid more to subsidize the discounted buyers? No wonder there are soo many apologists on this board, nearly everyone got some sort of discount beyond the normal advertised offers. Why bite the hand that fed you. You may want to eat again. My neighbor knows someone who sells something to a supplier to G.M. Do you think I can get a discount next time?

envoy_xl_in_pa

According to the article on foxnews.com, owner notification will begin in the 3rd qtr of this year. I had my wiper motor changed over 6 months ago, and no issues since. I'll be interested to see if I need the recall performed on my "new" motor. You'll know if you have issues, the wipers will move when they are not supposed to, and won't work when you need them. This is due to the water sloshing around in the motor case, causing intermittment connectivity on the circuit boards. Good work General - one of the most important items to have when it is raining is ruined by of all things.....rain.

redline65

It's the "GMS" price. It's works out to about $1000 below invoice. It's the price the dealership paid to get the car on the lot including transport and any advertising. (I work for EDS. We provide computer services to GM).

The employee (GMS) price is different from the GM Supplier price. GMS is for the employee "out-of-stock" purchase plan. There used to be an employee GMO "built-to-order" plan that offered an even lower price. But now there is just one GMS price offered to employees (and EDSers) for either ordering a vehicle from the factory or buying one off the lot. As far as I know, the GM Supplier price is not as low as the GMS price.

redline65

Is buying a G.M product like buying a ticket on a commercial airliner now? No two passengers pay the same amount for a seat.

It's that way for pretty much any make of vehicle at any car dealership. Excluding Saturn (maybe?).

Does just about everyone who buys a G.M. car or truck qualify for some sort of discount?

Pretty much, I know I do.

Will the rest of us get some sort of discount because we paid more to subsidize the discounted buyers?

No, because you are paying more to subsidize the discounted buyers.

Do you think I can get a discount next time?

Yes, if you know someone :-)

jay_24

EDSers also have to add tax. Its considered a taxable benifit. So add about $500 to the price of a 30k truck.

allenr

Had the same problem in my 02 Bravada, would take forever to full the tank with gas back splashing over everything. It got to the point the dealer replaced the tank and filler pipe. It still splash gas back out the filler pipe. The final solution was to replace the charcoal canister and vent line. It was full of fuel and couldn't vent the tank when filling. Have the dealer check it out.
Allen

ross1962_99

"EDSers also have to add tax. Its considered a taxable benifit. So add about $500 to the price of a 30k truck."

Right. they take it out of your paycheck. Only problem with that is, if you get the discount for a family member, it's still a taxable benefit to you.

redline65

Only problem with that is, if you get the discount for a family member, it's still a taxable benefit to you.

That's why I don't tell any family members about the deal!

quickdtoo

There are a couple build date windows for applicability. Not all '02 or '03 triplets are affected. I've had no problems with mine, built 8/01.

http://money.cnn.com/2004/02/09/news/companies/gm_recall/index.ht- m

2002slt

"The vehicles involved are 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT, GMC Envoy and Envoy XL, as well as Oldsmobile Bravada SUVs built between October and June 2002. Some 2003 TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT, Envoy and Envoy XL and Bravada SUVs built between April and November 2002 are also included."

I'm assuming they mean between October 2001 and June 2002. Mine was built in January 2002 and has been replaced once. I hope I get the recall, so I can be sure it's a reworked motor housing.

My Envoy is 2 years old today! This is the only problem it's had that required a trip to the dealer. I'm not sure if I got lucky, or if Ficuss and a few others here were not. I would gladly buy another if something happened to mine.

ficuss

Host, looks like you're no longer displaying our visits count.

Thanks

George Orwell

longdistancetb

My understanding of that problem is if you keep filling the tank after the first auto shutoff, you risk filling the vapor canister with fuel. When that happens, there is a likelyhood of blowback out of the filler nozzle. Supoosed solution: do not "top off" or overfill.

2002slt

Since this (rare) problem occurs when I have less that a few gallons in the tank, it has nothing to do with "topping off". Thanks for your input, though, and welcome to the forum.

gam2

The only thing slower than filling my gas tank is this site. Is it SSSLLLOOOWWW for anyone else? Been that way for at least a week.

GAM

quickdtoo

See message 13452 & 13453 This happens when the tank has been overfilled at one time or another. I don't have a problem with mine so it's probably not an inherent design flaw. But the vent line and canister may be inherently sensitive to an occasional overfill. Stopping at the first pump shutoff prevents this from happening. I suppose a pump that doesn't shut off properly may also contribute to the problem when the two conditions exist. Once the canister is full, the only cure is replacement, it's not going to get better on it's own. hth, Tim

tidester

The programmers keep tweaking the system - will settle on "the final" configuration soon! FYI - you have visited 1635 times! :-)

tidester, host

vindog45

i have 2002 tb-ltz was in walmart parking lot last sunday (very very windy, very cold)...left my 16 year old son in car while i went in for few minutes listening to radio with key turned on but engine off......i get back to car and wont start ....made clicking noise while all warning lights on dash lite up.....tried several times...wouldnt start.....nice gentleman came by and offered jump....lifted hood and connected stupid rod....hooked up cables, and mind you he had 2002 dodge durango facing same way.....all of a sudden gust of wind comes and blows my hood back against windshield!!!...dented the #@!$ out of two corners near windshield...what is this!!...35000.00 truck with 12.00 hood rod!!!...now i have to pay 500.00 deductable...GM corp.....WHY ARE THEY SO CHEAP!! on this part....and do i have a legitimate complaint....let me know what you think....vince

scottc454

Tom, your experience and opinion pretty much parallels mine - lots of positives, but lots of negatives. My 4WD switch has given me the most problems.

As for the paint flaking off the radio controls - that really annoys me. I can just picture somebody coming up with the ingenious idea of saving 10 cents on each vehicle by painting the controls instead of dying the plastic. I'm sure the idiot got rewarded for saving all kinds of money. If only they could factor in future lost revenue.

ross1962_99

Once upon a time trucks and cars of this size had heavy hood springs that kept the hood up. Now, in an effort to save weight to improve fuel economy/emmissions as mandated by the federal govt, these springs have been eliminated. I really don't think this is a cost savings measure by the manufacturer.

ficuss

The hood rod is supposed to keep the hood up, it did. The wind gust took your hood and flipped it towards the windshield, a $5,000.00 hood rod would not prevent that. Forget Wal-mart sales, think boat sails.
 Wal-Mart is as much to blame as the hood rod.

tripicchio

Thanks for the previous responses to my problem. Indeed, the sway bar links, or bushings as they are also called were replaced. They also replaced the steering shaft, although
I do not know how much of the problem was the steering shaft. Bottom Line: The vehicle is WAY tighter than before, and all of the "looseness" is gone...I can now go-over irregular surfaces without any of the steering whell shaking or rattle. I did not know how screwed-up the vehicle was...I would venture a guess that there are many, many Envoy's like mine out there doing the same thing.

tmac8

Vindog45...I understand where you're coming from. Just for the sake of argument, what would be the liability if any, had the hood fell and seriously injured you ? IMO not a smart design. But hey, my wife's fully loaded Regal doesn't have a hanger for the fuel cap! Four years + to get an Engineering degree still doesn't give them common sense. Gas shocks should be on these vehicles IMO. BTW, I finally looked on the door to see the build date on my 2002 Envoy. 07/01 and no problems yet, knock on wood. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

quickdtoo

Speaking of common sense, opening the hood in the wind without being mindful of the consequences is right up there with not hanging on to the the car door when opening it when it's windy, then to blame it on the mfr, sheesh. I suppose you guys would blame a restaurant for serving coffee that's too hot and take em to court! Sorry, but I just don't have patience or sympathy for people who blame something or someone for their own mistakes.

2k_impala_ls

BUT it was not by choice. Friday here in the northeast we had a snow storm, the roads around my work were slushy and slippery as I soon found out. A driver did not yield so I put on the brakes and just started sliding. I went about 25 feet on level ground in about 2 foot of soft snow. After I stopped, I backed up about 10 feet until I sunk in and started spinning. The kid who did not yield was nice enough to go get a shovel. I dug the snow jammed everywhere underneath, got back in and backed it right out. I was very lucky to put it between 2 signs and a light pole and not hit anything. I think my running boards helped save the sides but hurt my chances of driving out the 1st time. The only damage was one front mudflap popped out of place but then popped right back. The shield under the engine worked great.
I brought it to the self-serve carwash and got all the snow out from underneath. I was very lucky on that day.
http://www.trailblazer.homestead.com/

kpp14

The lack of engineering and money on the hood rod went into the hood light which is very useful. My 2002 slt Envoy has warranty repair list as long as your arm as well. The highlights were 3 wiper motors, a transmission and a transfer case. Today I drove 250 miles in a constant shower of salt from other cars. I used 1 ½ jugs of wiper fluid .The wipe motor gives me more fear than the treacherous driving conditions. If that thing were to fail again…I’d be doomed. Would I get another Envoy? Good question. The problem is I really don’t like the other choices unless I spend / move up to something like a VW Touareg. Now there is an urban assault vehicle. I drove one last week (an MDX as well). The Envoy still gives you the most truck for the money. It would be nice if GM put some of the German engineering into their trucks Like 6 forward gears and “tiptronic”. How is it that the VW performs off-road like a mountain goat and on road like a sports car. Is it really a big secret to get a vehicle to do that or is GM just stupid. Who can suggest another vehicle in the same price range ( and appointed the same ) as an Envoy slt. That’s the problem. Bye the way I still get a thrill from driving the truck (cheap as it may be).

more than two cents

jpandap

We own a 2002 Envoy SLT. The car is kept in a garage and we find that when it sits for several hours and especially overnight we are overtaken by gas fumes when we start the car. It does dissipate pretty quickly but can be overwhelming at first causing us to open all the windows. It's not a consistent problem but happens often enough that it makes us want to get rid of the car because we fear it may combust. We've had the problem checked three times by two different dealerships. Twice the PCM was adjusted but the solution was temporary or only got worse. This last time the dealership didn't find a problem and marked the complaint as 'normal.' They had the car for three days and had time to let it sit. Has anyone else experienced this problem? It's not a matter of having just filled the gas tank either.

tmac8

"WHY ARE THEY SO CHEAP!! on this part....and do i have a legitimate complaint..."

Having a legitimate complaint about a poor design is not the same as blaming GM for the mishap. I think he's venting his frustration on an unfortunate incident. The design IS poor. For a 30-$40,000 vehicle I expect shocks to be there. Not a cheap rod that you would find on a Neon or Kia. What's more practical...gas shocks on the hood, or window washer fluid cleaners on your head lamps. You want to know what I have no patience for? Drivers on cell phones.

scottc454

The design is fine. Gas shocks get real annoying when they go bad and fail to hold up the hood.

dlare

Looks like the calibration history page design has changed since my last visit. Check it out:

http://calid.gm.com.

Any one here get any re-programs done lately on their PCM? Looks like they maybe have a new operating system for my 2002 EXT...at least according to my history report.

I had mine done about a year ago, and the power was MUCH improved at that time with the fuel econ getting about 20-21mpg hwy following that update. Lately though the mileage has dropped to around 15-16mpg on dry roads under same conditions. So, I'm thinking of getting the latest update...bad idea?

Dean

jay_24

Aslos tend not to work well in very cold temps (-20F), which we had a week of in January. The tail gate on both my Tahoe and Subaru struggled to stay up.

Is the hood rod on a Trailbalzer just a straight stick or is there a good hook on the end? If the hook is properly placed in the hole the hood shoudn't lift any further or did the rod break where its attached to the truck?

--jay

bobed2121

My 02 TB LTZ heater setting is weird. If I turn the dial to 90deg the heater gets very hot!! Drop it one turn to 89deg and its gets colder. A very big difference so much so that I have to switch between the two often while driving or just leave it on 90 and roll my window down a tad. The dealer said that is the way it's designed and 90deg is just the maximum setting. Well 89deg is too cold for me. Has anyone else noticed this and done anything about it?

envoy_xl_in_pa

Perhaps you have a problem with your truck. I can not stand to have the heat set in our Envoy above 74 degrees for more than 5 minutes. The truck heats up so fast (aluminum vs. steel block), and the heater is so powerful, that 74 is too hot for me. Even my wife, who is always cold, can't take her side of the truck set much past 75-76. I'd get it checked out. I routinely run mine at 68-70, even when the outside temperature is below 10 Degrees F.

boat10

I'm going to show my stupidity and ask a question I know someone will want to answer......
I've read everyone of the posts in this forum from the beginning of time. I had a 2002 Trailblazer and now I am an owner of a 2004 Trailblazer (shows what I think of the TB); but anyway, here's my question......what is "IMO" everyone uses in this forum?????????????

tidester

IMO = In My Opinion
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

tidester, host

boat10

thanks Tidester, I needed that

scottc454

Now that you know what it means, you should know to never use it. If you write an opinion, we know it's an opinion and we know it's yours. There's no need to state the obvious.

Most people use these things to try to soften their stance on a disagreement. That doesn't work either.

vindog45

hey Quickie i was very mindful of the windy wheather, and i properly hooked rod in place....took like 20 seconds before it blew...... BUT I WAS STILL IN A POSITION WHERE I NEEDED A JUMP START OR FREEZE TO DEATH!....i tested dam holder afterwards and if you stand in front of vehicle and just push up on hood, doesnt take much more than a (less than strong wind) jerk and it pops out....plus the fact that the durango was facing in same direction and the wind didnt take his hood out....let me know what you would have done Quickie.

rainers

When I have my setting on "auto", I can hear alot of fan noise in the dash. I do feel warm air by my feet but do not get any out of the center/side vents. To get heat out of those vents I have to adjust to manual settings for both center and bottom. Is this normal? Should I get warm air from the center vents when set to "AUTO"

cameokid

DETROIT — General Motors Corp. (GM) said Monday it will recall about 636,0000 mid-size sport utility vehicles, its second major recall in four days.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,110869,00.html

scottc454

Yeah, but this is good news.
My wiper motors probably need to be replaced, but I've been holding out waiting for a recall because my warranty expired. Procrastination pays off!

01_hoe

I need help with getting some parts numbers for some mirrors for the my vehicle, a '03 GMC Envoy SLT. I want to get the color keyed mirror covers to replace the flat black ones on the vehicle now. The TrailBlazer North Face, Olds Bravada collectors edition and the Buick Rainier all have the color keyed covers. I would like to know how to get some in Summit White.

Anyone have any ideas? At this time I'll take the part number for the whole dang mirrors if that is what it takes to get them. Last resort is to paint the existing ones, but not ready to do that yet.

jmltrib

I have a 2002 Envoy SLT. I have noticed an electrical type clicking sound coming from the area directly in front of the driver that sounds like a switch going on and off not unlike the sound of an electric blanket cycling off and on. Has anyone else experienced this? Any solutions? The dealer seems clueless. Thanks!

John

aldan93

Hey is it about 0-20 Degrees outside? I have noticed several weird noises when temp. hovers around 0. In the area you speak of.

jmltrib

I do live in Iowa and the temperatures are in the range you speak of, but I have had this vehicle for 2 winters and I know for a fact this noise was not present last winter.

aldan93

This is the 2nd winter I have had the TB, seems like its getting looser near the windshield and maybe creaking when very cold? It does sound like a clicking noise. Once it warms up you never hear it.