Spare tire release mechanism dysfunctional. i was unable to change to change a flat while on the side of a very busy highway. had the vehicle towed to a automotive tire and repair business, and they could not remove the spare either. i searched online and there are a number of similar reports/complaints concerning gmc trucks and suvs, at least 2002-2012 models. mine is a 2004 envoy. e.g. http://www.carproblemzoo.com/gmc/envoy/spare-tire-problems.php this design failure could lead to significant injury or adverse health impacts (exposure, hypothermia, etc.) especially to elderly or inability to change a flat while in remote terrain, or areas without cell phone service. there is no safety release backup that would also bypassing the defective tire release mechanism.
My 18 year old daughter was driving on the pa turnpike around 12 am on oct. 5, 2015. she was changing lanes, moving into the left lane next to her and the steering wheel locked, it would not allow her to straighten out the steering wheel. the envoy drove right into the median at full force, spun around, and flipped twice. when the car landed on all four wheels, she was across the lanes of traffic. she was able to get out of the car and to safety prior to being hit by 2 other cars coming down the road. the envoy was totaled. by the grace of god my daughter made it out alive and is currently experiencing problems with her left knee. we are not sure why the steering wheel locked, unable to turn, forcing her directly into the median. it could be an issue with the steering column or wheels. the envoy is currently at a collision yard in levittown, pa.