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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

Engine complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

1) I just purchased the vehicle in Oct 2026 & 3 days after purchase, it broke down in Walmart parking lot due to, all the antifreeze pouring out. 2) December 2026 had to replace the front tires as they were stripped to the threads from rubbing against the fender wells. 3) January 2026 Wouldn’t start, wouldn’t turn over or anythi…

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1) I just purchased the vehicle in Oct 2026 & 3 days after purchase, it broke down in Walmart parking lot due to, all the antifreeze pouring out. 2) December 2026 had to replace the front tires as they were stripped to the threads from rubbing against the fender wells. 3) January 2026 Wouldn’t start, wouldn’t turn over or anything. Had the ignition replaced. Ran fine for one week. 4) Currently won’t start. Broke down.

NHTSA ODI #11714041

89,565 miles · Nov 29, 2019
Air BagsEnginePower Train

MY VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED WAS ALTERED FROM CLOTH SEATS TO LEATHER BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. 3 DAYS AGO MY CAR IS SIGNALING ME TO SERVICE AIRBAG WHILE DRIVING THE CAR OR IN IDLE. SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT MEINEKE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS O…

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MY VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED WAS ALTERED FROM CLOTH SEATS TO LEATHER BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. 3 DAYS AGO MY CAR IS SIGNALING ME TO SERVICE AIRBAG WHILE DRIVING THE CAR OR IN IDLE. SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT MEINEKE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON MY YEAR, MAKE & MODEL SUV. I CALLED GM ON 11/29/2019 AND WAS TOLD BY A SUPERVISOR NAMED ANGEL THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS BY THEIR MANUFACTURER AND THERE IS NOTHING MORE SHE CAN DO ABOUT THE MATTER. I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR LIKE THIS KNOWING THIS CAN BE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL AND HAZARDOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11282890

143,000 miles · Oct 31, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN DRIVE WHEN IT HAD A UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS BEING PARKED. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE RESULTED TO THE HOME AND VEHICLE. NO INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #11144392

31,657 miles · Jul 25, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

MY SEAT COVERS WERE ORIGINALLY CLOTH BUT AT TIME OF PURCHASE THEY WERE REPLACED WITH LEATHER SEAT COVERINGS AND THERE IS RECALL #06V417000 HAS ME VERY CONCERNED.

NHTSA ODI #11010574

69,749 miles · May 14, 2017
Engine

RECEIVED A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAULT CODE THAT CAME UP WAS PO128 ( INSUFFICIENT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE - ECT ) UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAULT ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS GENERALLY CAUSED BY A "STICKING" COOLANT THERMOSTAT. THIS CONDITION ALSO RESULTS IN POOR HEATING …

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RECEIVED A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAULT CODE THAT CAME UP WAS PO128 ( INSUFFICIENT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE - ECT ) UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAULT ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS GENERALLY CAUSED BY A "STICKING" COOLANT THERMOSTAT. THIS CONDITION ALSO RESULTS IN POOR HEATING POOR HEATING OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IF THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE AS I HAVE FOUND. GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNER!

NHTSA ODI #10985652

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2016
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

I HAD THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I DID NOT SEE ANY BREAKL LIGHTS AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME PUSHING THE OTHER CARS TO HIT EACH OTHER. MY FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BAD ENOUGH TO DAMAGE THE RADIATOR AND DESTROY MY AC UNIT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WAS DAMAGED. IT SENT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME AND MYSELF…

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I HAD THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I DID NOT SEE ANY BREAKL LIGHTS AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME PUSHING THE OTHER CARS TO HIT EACH OTHER. MY FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BAD ENOUGH TO DAMAGE THE RADIATOR AND DESTROY MY AC UNIT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WAS DAMAGED. IT SENT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME AND MYSELF TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. " MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ". MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #10908300

142,000 miles · Oct 21, 2015
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #10785110

115,000 miles · Aug 20, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC OR AT A STOP LIGHT, MY VEHICLE WILL IDLE ROUGHLY AND SOMETIME STALL. IT DOES THIS IN DRIVE, NEUTRAL AND PARK. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THERE ARE NO CODES SHOWING A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10750007

85,200 miles · Mar 14, 2015
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

ACCELERATING WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY, TOOK FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. APPLIED BRAKE BUT VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO TRY AND SLOW DOWN AND AGAIN APPLIED BRAKE. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AND WE HIT THE GUARD RAIL, HITTING THE PASSENGER REAR BUMPER AND THE D…

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ACCELERATING WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY, TOOK FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. APPLIED BRAKE BUT VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO TRY AND SLOW DOWN AND AGAIN APPLIED BRAKE. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AND WE HIT THE GUARD RAIL, HITTING THE PASSENGER REAR BUMPER AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BUMPER. SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CAR SPUN INTO THE MIDDLE TRAVEL LANE AND BEGAN TO SPIN AROUND. CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO TURN CAR OFF. FORTUNATELY NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. AN OFF DUTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY STOPPED AND SAID HE NOTICED SMOKE AND THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE BUT NO FIRE OCCURRED. WHEN STATE POLICE ARRIVED THEY ASKED US TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE. WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED CAR TO BREAKDOWN LANE. TRIED TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE BUT CAR WOULDN'T GO FORWARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694250

105,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. AFTER TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10658814

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.