IllustrationSPEEDOMETER FAILURE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE (MULTIPLE TIMES)
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Envoy years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
280–25K
5925–50K
8750–75K
10775–100K
88100–150K
16150K+
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
Electrical System complaints
183 reportsI OWN A 2005 GMC ENVOY THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THE LAST TIME IT ACTUALLY MELTED THE CONNECTION AND NEEDS THE WHOLE LAMP TO BE REPLACED. THE GAS GAUGE HAS STOPPED WORKING AND PART OF THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS. WE REPLACED THE FAN SWITCH A WHILE BACK FOR THE HEATER AND THE CD PLAYER STARTE…
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I OWN A 2005 GMC ENVOY THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THE LAST TIME IT ACTUALLY MELTED THE CONNECTION AND NEEDS THE WHOLE LAMP TO BE REPLACED. THE GAS GAUGE HAS STOPPED WORKING AND PART OF THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS. WE REPLACED THE FAN SWITCH A WHILE BACK FOR THE HEATER AND THE CD PLAYER STARTED WORKING AGAIN AND THE DRIVERS SIDE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME BACK ON FOR TWO DAYS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 GMC ENVOY. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETERS WERE FAULTY. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY AND THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THAT THE SPEED 100 MPH WHILE SHE WAS ONLY DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A RE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 GMC ENVOY. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETERS WERE FAULTY. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY AND THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THAT THE SPEED 100 MPH WHILE SHE WAS ONLY DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.
OVERHEATED AND MELTED ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AT FAN SPEED SWITCH UNDER DASH! *LN
2005 ENVOY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOING BAD. IT WILL SEEM FINE THEN THE MPH GO WAY OFF AND WHO KNOWS IF YOU CAN TRUST THE OTHER GAUGES WHILE ON THE ROAD. I'VE READ THAT MOST GMC ENVOYS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND GMC IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE KNOWN PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WILL COST ME 575 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR
SPEEDOMETER STUCK AT 60MPH WHILE TRAVELING. DIDN'T MATTER IF STOPPED, ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR TURNING VEHICLE OFF. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT SEEMED TO CAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER TO DECREASE, SOME, FINALLY GETTING IT TO REGISTER 20MPH. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING THE SPEEDOMETER STILL REGISTERED 20 …
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SPEEDOMETER STUCK AT 60MPH WHILE TRAVELING. DIDN'T MATTER IF STOPPED, ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR TURNING VEHICLE OFF. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT SEEMED TO CAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER TO DECREASE, SOME, FINALLY GETTING IT TO REGISTER 20MPH. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING THE SPEEDOMETER STILL REGISTERED 20 MPH AND UPON ACCELERATION THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED FINALLY SETTLING AT 80MPH. WE WERE UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST WE REALLY ARE TRAVELING BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER IS WACKO. STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HELP. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT RESET TO ZERO IT IS NOW STUCK AT 80MPH. OUR LOCAL GM DEALER ADVISED THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 75,000 MILES WAS OFFERED ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. OUR VEHICLE IS OVER THE MILEAGE FOR THE WARRANTY. GM IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH WACKO SPEEDOMETERS HENCE THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. ONE WOULD ASSUME BEING ABLE TO MONITOR ONES SPEED IN A VEHICLE IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY XL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 85 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY XL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 85 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE REPAIR FOR THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE REPAIR FOR THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED AN INACCURATE SPEED. WHEN DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER MAY SHOW A READING OF 80 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED AN INACCURATE SPEED. WHEN DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER MAY SHOW A READING OF 80 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,100. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT SPEED WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE GAUGE WAS REGISTERING 100 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,795.
Official recalls
206V417000 · 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
2RQ17002 · 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.