IllustrationDIM LIGHTS ARE FLICKERING NOT WANTING TO STAY ON
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
45 reportsABOUT 4 YEARS I NOTICED MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES WOULD NOT WORK AT NIGHT, FORCING ME TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON, BLINDING OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER AND HE SAID IT MAY COST $500 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I COULD NOT AFFORD THIS EXPENDITURE. I TRY TO AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT AND…
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ABOUT 4 YEARS I NOTICED MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES WOULD NOT WORK AT NIGHT, FORCING ME TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON, BLINDING OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER AND HE SAID IT MAY COST $500 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I COULD NOT AFFORD THIS EXPENDITURE. I TRY TO AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT AND ONLY RECENTLY I HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND AGAIN MY LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT WORK, FORCING ME TO AGAIN DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. MY FIANC DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS FUSE/RELAY. WE LEARNED WE COULD PULL OUT THE HIGH BEAM FUSE/RELAY WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO THE LOW BEAM AND SWITCH THEM. UPON DOING SO, THE LOW BEAMS ONCE AGAIN WORKED.
I HAD JUST DROVE MY TRUCK THE NIGHT BEFORE HEADLIGHTS WORKED FINE. I WENT TO LEAVE THE NEXT NIGHT AND NO HEADLIGHTS AT ALL. SO VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN I REALIZED I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY BRIGHTS ON AT NIGHT. I HAVE NO REGULAR HEADLIGHTS AT ALL. THEN MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW JUST QUIT WORKING AS WELL.
WHILE DRIVING, LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS WILL TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING...HIGH BEAM HEADLAMPS STILL FUNCTION
A WHILE BACK, WE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT THAT OUR LIGHTS SEEMED TO BE FLICKERING (LOW BEAMS). IT WOULD DO IT OCCASIONALLY, BUT WE NEVER KNEW WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD THE LIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND HAD TO TURN THE FOG LAMPS ON TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS OF ANY SORT. TONIG…
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A WHILE BACK, WE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT THAT OUR LIGHTS SEEMED TO BE FLICKERING (LOW BEAMS). IT WOULD DO IT OCCASIONALLY, BUT WE NEVER KNEW WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD THE LIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND HAD TO TURN THE FOG LAMPS ON TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS OF ANY SORT. TONIGHT, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, AND I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS GOING TO HAVE MY HUSBAND COME OUT AND SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON IF HE COULD. WHILE I SAT THERE WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND IN PARK, AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES, THEY CAME BACK ON. I HAVE READ THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LIGHT MODULAR FOR 2006+ ENVOYS, BUT MINE IS A 2005, AND HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HEARD THE RECALL WAS FOR. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THE 2005 TRAILBLAZERS WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT NOT THE ENVOYS????
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING 50MPH ON A HIGHWAY BECAUSE A RELAY IN THE FUSE BOX OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE FUSE BOX. I KNOW THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL ON THE TRAILBLAZER FROM THE SAME YEAR BECAUSE THEY ARE THE SAME CAR BUT THERE IS NOT ONE FOR THE ENVOY.
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING. HIGH BEAMS STILL WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN MOVING ON CITY ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. THE NEXT TIME I DRIVE THE CAR THE LOW BEAMS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LOW BEAM HEADLAMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE HEADLAMP RELAY INDEPENDENTLY, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LOW BEAM HEADLAMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE HEADLAMP RELAY INDEPENDENTLY, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
THE VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AT NIGHT WILL DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS, I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS THE HEADLIGHT RELAY THAT IS OVERHEATING. THIS IS THE SAME GM PART THAT IS BEING RECALLED IN OTHER GM VEHICLES. GM PART # 15016745. SO WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN R…
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THE VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AT NIGHT WILL DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS, I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS THE HEADLIGHT RELAY THAT IS OVERHEATING. THIS IS THE SAME GM PART THAT IS BEING RECALLED IN OTHER GM VEHICLES. GM PART # 15016745. SO WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED IN 05 . THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AT RANDOM THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED IT DOES NOT MATTER.
I'VE HAD MY 2005 ENVOY FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND HAD MY HEADLIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND FREWAY. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AY NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY FOR A FEW SECONDS. I WAS SO SCARED WSS REALLY GLAD FOR NO ONE BEHIND ME OR ON COMING TRAFFIC. ON ANOTHER OCCASSIO…
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I'VE HAD MY 2005 ENVOY FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND HAD MY HEADLIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND FREWAY. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AY NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY FOR A FEW SECONDS. I WAS SO SCARED WSS REALLY GLAD FOR NO ONE BEHIND ME OR ON COMING TRAFFIC. ON ANOTHER OCCASSION I HAD TO PULL OVER ON CITY STREET AS MY LIGHTS WERE GOING ON AND OFF AND I COULD SEE THE CAR AHEAD WAS A COP AND I DIDNT WANT HIM TO THINK I WAS FLASHING FOR HELP ESPECIALLY AT 2 IN THE MORNING. IVE ALSO HAD TO EXIT THE FREEWAY BECAUSE MY LIGHTS STARTED GOING ON AND OFF AND ON AND WASNT SURE IF THEY WOULD JUST GO OUT COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND SINCE IT WAS NIGHT TIME I DIDNT WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND HURTING SOMEONE ELSE OR MYSELF. I HAVE A TEENAGE DAUGHTER AND AM AFRAID TO TRANSPORT HER AND HER FRIENDS IN MY CAR.
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.