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2005 GMC Envoy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Envoy years

Owner complaints for the 2005 GMC Envoy are substantially higher than the model-year median of 22.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

385 reports with mileage · 103 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 183 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports14 fire reports22 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

28 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

I PURCHASED A 2005 GMC ENVOY IN SEPTEMBER 2005. IN THE PAST YEAR (SINCE JANUARY 2007, AT LEAST), I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST PROBLEM IS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. EVERYTIME I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS APPEAR TO DIM/FLICKER AND THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAS RESULTED IN ONCOMING VEHICLES…

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I PURCHASED A 2005 GMC ENVOY IN SEPTEMBER 2005. IN THE PAST YEAR (SINCE JANUARY 2007, AT LEAST), I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST PROBLEM IS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. EVERYTIME I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS APPEAR TO DIM/FLICKER AND THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAS RESULTED IN ONCOMING VEHICLES TURNING THEIR BRIGHT LIGHTS ON ME THINKING MY BRIGHTS ARE ON WHEN IN REALITY MY HEADLIGHTS ARE DIMMING AND THEN RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE SECOND PROBLEM CONCERNS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. ANYTIME A CERTAIN WEIGHT LIMIT IS MET OR EXCEEDED THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS SUPPOSED TO SWITCH TO ON, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIRBAG SENSOR HASN'T RECOGNIZED IT. THIRD PROBLEM, DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT FAILURE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES WHEN I HAVE TRIED TO MOVE THE DRIVER SEAT FORWARD, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE MOTOR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GRINDING AND WANTED TO MOVE, BUT THE SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE MOST EXTREME PROBLEM TO DATE HAS BEEN WITH THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND THEN NOT STARTING OR EVEN TURNING OVER AT ALL. EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR, AT LEAST, THE LAST MONTH WHEN I GO TO START THE VEHICLE IT FAILS TO START AND IT TAKES A MINIMUM OF 1 HOUR TO GET IT STARTED. ONE INSTANCE IN PARTICULAR WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WAS WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE ON THE FREEWAY. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WE WERE FORCED TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. WE SAT THERE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR IN TEMPERATURES OF 13 DEGREES TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THERE HAVE BEEN COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS OF OTHER ENVOY OWNERS EXPERIENCING THESE SAME PROBLEMS. SOME DEALERS HAVE ACTUALLY SAID THAT THESE FAILURES/PROBLEMS ARE NORMAL!!!! WHAT!?!?! ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! SINCE WHEN IS IT CONSIDERED "NORMAL" WHEN SO MANY ENVOYS ARE DISPLAYING THESE SAME PROBLEMS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215726

25,000 miles · Mar 1, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMS ENVOY. IN MID FEBRUARY 2007 THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A TREE DUE TO ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THERE WERE…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMS ENVOY. IN MID FEBRUARY 2007 THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A TREE DUE TO ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A THE DEALER, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT HAD REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUE A COMPUTER READ OUT INDICATING WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE DEALER SENT THE CONTACT PRIOR TO THE COLLISION A DIAGNOSTIC EMAIL STATING THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 25000.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10183935

3,829 miles · Feb 14, 2007
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE HEADLIGHTS, DASHBOARD, AND TAIL LIGHTS FLASHED RANDOMLY AT ANY SPEED, THIS FAILURE STARTED IN OCTOBER OF 2006. THE WEATHER AND TIME OF DAY WERE NOT FACTORS IN THE FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THERE WERE TSBS FOR THE FAILURE, AS WELL AS FOR SEVERAL OTHER…

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE HEADLIGHTS, DASHBOARD, AND TAIL LIGHTS FLASHED RANDOMLY AT ANY SPEED, THIS FAILURE STARTED IN OCTOBER OF 2006. THE WEATHER AND TIME OF DAY WERE NOT FACTORS IN THE FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THERE WERE TSBS FOR THE FAILURE, AS WELL AS FOR SEVERAL OTHERS. THE FUEL NECK HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE DUE TO A DESIGN CHANGE. THE SEAL AROUND THE LICENSES PLACE HOLDER CAME LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SQUEAKING, THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT TWICE, AN AIRBAG SENSOR, THE REAR WIPER ARM, THE OXYGEN SENSOR TWICE ,THE FIRST TIME AT 7000 MILES. THERE WERE CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES, WHEN THE CONTACT TRIED TO ACCELERATE IT HESITATED AND THEN SURGED. THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE REAR DOORS HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE ABS WOULD SKIP ON A BUMPY ROAD AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AT ONE POINT THE CONTACT COULD SMELL FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE HAD VERY POOR GAS MILEAGE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT AIR VALVE BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE REAR DOOR HINGES SQUEAKED. THIS WINTER IT WON'T GO TO FULL VOLTAGE UNTIL A MINUTE ELAPSED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED. THE ORIGINAL FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3829, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23700.*AK THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE, THE BELTS SQUEAKED, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY, THE REAR WIPER WOULD ONLY WIPE THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK WINDSHIELD. A NEW FUEL NECK WAS INSTALLED. UPDATED 03/15/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182695

21,000 miles · Jul 11, 2006
Air Bags

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO BRAKING PRIOR TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR OTHER OBJECTS. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT, HOWEVER IT DID ILLUMINATE AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NO…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO BRAKING PRIOR TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR OTHER OBJECTS. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT, HOWEVER IT DID ILLUMINATE AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10162144

30,000 miles · May 1, 2006
Air BagsFuel System, GasolineStructureCrash

MY SON WAS KILLED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON 4/18/06. HE WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IN WHICH THE TOP PART OF THE DOOR WAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR DURING THE ROLLOVER. BY LOOKING AT THE TIRE TRACKS OF THE ACCIDENT, HE WAS JUST ENTERING THE ON RAMP OF THE ROAD AND THE TRACKS SHOW NO SKID MARKS, SWERVIN…

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MY SON WAS KILLED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON 4/18/06. HE WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IN WHICH THE TOP PART OF THE DOOR WAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR DURING THE ROLLOVER. BY LOOKING AT THE TIRE TRACKS OF THE ACCIDENT, HE WAS JUST ENTERING THE ON RAMP OF THE ROAD AND THE TRACKS SHOW NO SKID MARKS, SWERVING, ETC, JUST A STRAIGHT LINE INTO THE DITCH AS IF HE DIDNT HAVE CONTROL OF THE STEERING OR BRAKES, POSSIBLE STALLING ?? BOTH TIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WERE FLATTENED. AIR BAGS WERE NEVER DEPLOYED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10156508

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2005
Air BagsInjury

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH HIT THE BRAKES AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND KNOCKED HIM UNCONSCIOUS. HE HAD A FRIEND IN THE VEHICLE AND HE WAS ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, AND HE WAS UNSURE WHETHER HE RAN OVER ANYTHING. THE ROOF LINING FELL BECAUSE OF THE …

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH HIT THE BRAKES AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND KNOCKED HIM UNCONSCIOUS. HE HAD A FRIEND IN THE VEHICLE AND HE WAS ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, AND HE WAS UNSURE WHETHER HE RAN OVER ANYTHING. THE ROOF LINING FELL BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. HE SUSTAINED HEAD ABRASIONS; HE COULD NOT HEAR OUT OF LEFT EAR, AND COULD NOT SEE PROPERLY OUT OF LEFT EYE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A GM ENGINEER'S APPROVAL. HE RECEIVED A HISTORY OF VEHICLE AT TIME OF PURCHASE, AND HAS SINCE NOTICED THERE HAD BEEN BODY WORK DONE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10140427

6,500 miles · May 5, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

SEVERE CAR CRASH WITH MY LEASED 2005 GMC ENVOY. MUCH SIDE AND FRONT DAMAGE OCCURED, BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. GMC WILL BE SENDING SOMEONE FROM THE PROTECTION ALLEGATION DEPARTMENT TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE AIR BAGS WITHIN THE NEXT 14 DAYS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURED ON 4/22/05. I DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND G…

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SEVERE CAR CRASH WITH MY LEASED 2005 GMC ENVOY. MUCH SIDE AND FRONT DAMAGE OCCURED, BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. GMC WILL BE SENDING SOMEONE FROM THE PROTECTION ALLEGATION DEPARTMENT TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE AIR BAGS WITHIN THE NEXT 14 DAYS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURED ON 4/22/05. I DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND GIVEN BACK TO ME FOR THE FOLLOWING 2 REASONS: THE VEHICLE INCURRED (IN MY OPINION, POLICE REPORT, ALLSTATE INSURANCE CO., STERLING AUTO BODY REPAI SHOP) ETC ... EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE 2ND REASON IS THE AIRBAGS, AS STATED, DID NOT DEPLOY. IF ANYONE WERE TO BE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. I HAVE READILY AT MY DISPOSAL ANY AND ALL ADDITIONAL INFO. WHICH I WILL GLADLY SUBMIT WHEN NECESSARY.

NHTSA ODI #10119967

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY WIFE WAS IN HER 2005 GMC ENVOY WHEN IT WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S TIRE, AND WAS DRIVEN INTO A CONCRETE POWER POLE AT 40 MPH HEAD ON. THE POWER LINES WERE KNOCKED DOWN. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED, AND HER HEAD HIT THE STEERING, CAUSING A BUMP ON THE HEAD, A BLACK EYE AND A CUT LIP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10111298

Official recalls

2

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

05V035000 · Visibility:windshield

Feb 3, 2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights

Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

DP10001 · Fuel Level Gauge System Failure

Opened Jan 7, 2010 · Closed May 23, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Other

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.