GMC Envoy Roof Crush

In 1998, the GMC Envoy first appeared as an upscale trim option for the GMC Jimmy. This mid-size SUV was originally offered with significant luxury options available, as well as four-wheel anti-lock brakes for improved safety. By 2002, the Jimmy had been phased out for the Envoy. Although older models looked more like to the closely related Chevy Blazer, the 2002 Envoy had some exterior restyling done to give the vehicle a more unique appearance

When the Envoy was released in 2002, GM also offered an XL package. This package increased the size of the Envoy, adding a third row of seating and increasing the height of the vehicle. The XL also increased the overall length of the vehicle as a result of the extra seating. This made this version of the Envoy a full-sized SUV instead of the normal mid-size SUV classification. This package was discontinued in 2007.

In 2003, many of the older features were stripped to reduce the overall cost of the vehicle. This was followed by a 2005 offering of luxury package known as the Denali, bringing consumers looking for a luxury model a variety of new features.

In 2004, the Envoy XUV was introduced as an SUV-pickup truck combination. The XUV included a front half modeled after an SUV with a covered truck bed in the back. The XUV included five seats, with an available partition to close off the back of the vehicle from the rest of the passenger compartment. This option was discontinued a year after its release.

The Envoy was eventually dropped by GM in 2009, being discontinued with a large group of other mid-sized SUVs based off of the Jimmy or Blazer models.

Roof Crush Risks in the Envoy

The Envoy, like other mid-sized SUVs, is particularly hazardous in terms of rollover safety. Due to the high center of gravity on these vehicles, anyone turning too sharply or struck from the side in an accident may be thrown into a rollover as a result. When a vehicle is tipped towards the side, the forces acting on the center of gravity may actually cause the vehicle to continue tipping over until it rolls completely onto its roof.

A serious risk in these rollover accidents occurs when the support beams on the vehicle cannot keep the roof from collapsing into the passenger cabin. Known as a roof crush, these incidents occur when the support beams are not strong enough to support the weight of the vehicle in a roll. With both the weight of the vehicle and the force of impact from a roll, motorists may be trapped inside the vehicle. These collapses can cause severe injuries, particularly to the neck and head.

Rollover Safety Ratings Measuring Roof Crush Hazards

Although manufacturers build support beams to certain standards, these figures often do not take into account the variety of unusual circumstances that can arise during an actual rollover accident. Because of this, the best way to avoid a roof crush injury is to prevent the vehicle from rolling in the first place.

In terms of rollover safety, the Envoy is relatively unremarkable. Similar to the Blazer and Jimmy, the Envoy’s rollover ratings show the hazards of a high center of gravity and how this design concern increases the possibility of rolling a vehicle over.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Envoy rates three out of five stars for its two-wheel drive models and four out of five stars for its four-wheel drive models. However, these four-wheel drive models were less safe during the early 2002 and 2003 models, which only ranked three out of five stars.

For More Information

If your injuries were caused by a GMC roof crush incident, you may want to consider pursuing financial compensation through a rollover accident lawsuit. To learn more about your rights and options after these devastating accidents, contact the Willis Law Firm by calling 800-883-9858.