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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

Electrical System complaints

183 reports
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298 miles · Aug 8, 2005
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT BOTH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER PERIODICALLY. I WAS FOLLOWING MY WIFE HOME AND SHE SAID THAT IT WAS A HUGE DISTRACTION TO HER WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE LESS THAN…

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I HAVE A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT BOTH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER PERIODICALLY. I WAS FOLLOWING MY WIFE HOME AND SHE SAID THAT IT WAS A HUGE DISTRACTION TO HER WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE LESS THAN 400 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO MY FRIEND, HIS 2005 TRAILBLAZER DOES THE SAME THING. NM

NHTSA ODI #10131914

2,000 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A '05 GMC ENVOY AND HAS DIFFICULTY TOWING A TRAILER WITHIN GM RATES, GM STATES THAT HIS ENVOY CAN TOW A WEIGHT OF 5,800 POUND CAPACITY, HOWEVER HE FEELS THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO MANEUVER A TRAVEL TRAILER OF 3,400 POUND CAPACITY. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS. THE DEALER STATED THERE W…

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DT: CONSUMER OWNS A '05 GMC ENVOY AND HAS DIFFICULTY TOWING A TRAILER WITHIN GM RATES, GM STATES THAT HIS ENVOY CAN TOW A WEIGHT OF 5,800 POUND CAPACITY, HOWEVER HE FEELS THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO MANEUVER A TRAVEL TRAILER OF 3,400 POUND CAPACITY. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CONSUMER HAS PULLED THE TRAILER WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND IT PULLS FINE BUT WHEN ATTACHED TO THE ENVOY THERE IS A PROBLEM. CONSUMER FEELS IT IS NOT WITH THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE BUT WITHIN THE ENGINE WHICH IS A V6. WHEN PULLING TRAILER FOR A DISTANCE AS LITTLE AS 2 MILES THE ENGINE HEATS UP, AND HE EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF SPEED AND ENGINE THE BOGS DOWN TO 30 MPH. ENVOY IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 373 AXLE RATIO AND CAN NOT PULL AN ENCLOSED 24FT TRAVEL TRAILER ON IT'S 6 CYLINDER ENGINE. THE 2ND TRIP TO DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER DID DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER NEEDED A V8 ENGINE. ALSO, THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. CONSUMER GAVE EXAMPLES OF AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS UNLOCKING BY THEMSELVES AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ENABLING ITSELF RESULTING IN A SHUTDOWN OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER 10 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID GM WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIR UNLESS THEY COULD DUPLICATE PROBLEM. HAS CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT LEAST 100 TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES WITHOUT ANY LUCK. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS AS A RESULT. CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS AS A RESULT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10127874

76,000 miles · Jan 17, 2005
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING ALONE AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHT WENT OUT I AND THE 4WD LIGHT CAME ON I COULD NOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. I PULLED OVER AND COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM CAR OR PUT THE CARD BACK INTO DRIVE .THE CAR SHOP HAD TO REROUTE SOME WIRE BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY AFTERMARKET ADD ONS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10106500

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.