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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

45 reports
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100,000 miles · Sep 23, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V599000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10908917

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT COMPARE TO MINE THE FUEL GAUGE, OIL GAUGES, AIR CONDITIONER ARE ALL MALFUNCTIONING IN MY CAR AND I'M VERY UPSET BECAUSE ALL OF THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2005 AND I WILL NEVER BUY A GMC CAR AGAIN FOR THIS REASON IT'S ONE THING TO RECALL REPAIR PARTS THAT WERE …

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READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT COMPARE TO MINE THE FUEL GAUGE, OIL GAUGES, AIR CONDITIONER ARE ALL MALFUNCTIONING IN MY CAR AND I'M VERY UPSET BECAUSE ALL OF THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2005 AND I WILL NEVER BUY A GMC CAR AGAIN FOR THIS REASON IT'S ONE THING TO RECALL REPAIR PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN THAT TO REPAIR MALFUNCTION PARTS. VERY DISAPPOINTED. IN SHORT MY GAUGES DON'T WORK, MY AIR CONDITIONER ONLY WORKS ON ONE SIDE AND NOW MY HEADLIGHTS LOW BEAN DON'T WORK. GMC NEEDS TO RECALL AND REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10871808

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2015
Exterior Lighting

LIGHTS GO OFF AND WON'T COME BACK ON FOR 2 HOURS. YOU CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING BUT CANNOT FIND WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. I HAVE REPLACED ALL BULBS 3 TIMES. AND NOTHING CHANGES.

NHTSA ODI #10817219

133,000 miles · Aug 20, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FLICKERED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT AND FUSE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COUL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FLICKERED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT AND FUSE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

NHTSA ODI #10750108

133,000 miles · Aug 20, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AFTER DARK AND MY LOW BEAMS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. I COULD ONLY GET MY HIGH BEAMS TO WORK. CURRENTLY ONLY ONE LOW BEAM IS WORKING AND THE OTHER WILL NOT WORK EVEN AFTER CHANGING THE BULB OR THE FUSE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY HAVING A YOUNG CHILD. IT WAS VERY SCARY GOING DOWN…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AFTER DARK AND MY LOW BEAMS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. I COULD ONLY GET MY HIGH BEAMS TO WORK. CURRENTLY ONLY ONE LOW BEAM IS WORKING AND THE OTHER WILL NOT WORK EVEN AFTER CHANGING THE BULB OR THE FUSE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY HAVING A YOUNG CHILD. IT WAS VERY SCARY GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT AND HAVE YOUR LIGHTS COMPLETELY JUST GO OUT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE ISSUES WITH 06-07 ENVOYS BUT I WANTED GM TO BE MADE AWARE THAT 2005 MODELS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10750063

125,600 miles · May 4, 2015
Exterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING ON A CURVY 2 LANE ROAD IN THE COUNTRY AND THE SUN WAS JUST SETTING AND I COULDN'T GET ANY LIGHTS ON MY CAR. MY LIGHTS ARE AUTOMATIC AND I JUST ASSUMED THAT I HAD BUMPED A BUTTON AND ACCIDENTALLY TURNED THEM OFF, SO I STARTED TURNING THE SWITCH TO TURN THEM ON AND IT WASN'T WORKING. I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD SEVER…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A CURVY 2 LANE ROAD IN THE COUNTRY AND THE SUN WAS JUST SETTING AND I COULDN'T GET ANY LIGHTS ON MY CAR. MY LIGHTS ARE AUTOMATIC AND I JUST ASSUMED THAT I HAD BUMPED A BUTTON AND ACCIDENTALLY TURNED THEM OFF, SO I STARTED TURNING THE SWITCH TO TURN THEM ON AND IT WASN'T WORKING. I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO GET SOME LIGHT ON. I THEN HIT A SECTION WHERE TREE LINED CURVED SECTION THAT WAS PRETTY DARK. THERE HAD BEEN NO SHOULDER OR ANYWHERE TO PULL OVER THERE OR FOR SEVERAL MILES. I COULD GET BIGHTS LIGHTS, BUT NO DIM. I ENDED UP DRIVING WITH MY FOG LIGHTS, UNKNOWINGLY AT THE TIME. WE HAD JUST REPLACE THE BULBS 5 MONTHS BEFORE BUT WE TRIED NEW BULBS AND FUSES TO SEE IF THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, IT DIDN'T. I HAVE NOTICED A RECALL ON LIGHTS FOR THE ENVOY YEARS 06-07 FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE THE SAME REASON AND MINE IS AN 05. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714496

111,500 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THE ODOMETER AND ALL THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS WENT TO ZERO. THIS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN OVER THE YEARS. I TOOK IT TO TWO GMC CAR DEALERSHIPS AND THE FIRST ONE SAID IT WAS THE KILL SWITCH INSTALLED BY A BUY HERE PAY HERE DEALERSHIP. THE KILL SWITCH WAS REMOVED AND THE DASHBOARD C…

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AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THE ODOMETER AND ALL THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS WENT TO ZERO. THIS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN OVER THE YEARS. I TOOK IT TO TWO GMC CAR DEALERSHIPS AND THE FIRST ONE SAID IT WAS THE KILL SWITCH INSTALLED BY A BUY HERE PAY HERE DEALERSHIP. THE KILL SWITCH WAS REMOVED AND THE DASHBOARD CONTINUED TO FLICKER. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START, I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE CAR BEGAN TO TRIBBLE, AGAIN I TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO CLEAN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. I DID THAT AND BOUGHT A BATTERY BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. THE TOW DRIVER SAID IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BUT THE CAR DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION. HAVE YOU HAD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE? NOT TO CONFUSE THE COMPLAINT, I HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES. 1. DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP AND THE INFORMATION PANELS SHUT DOWN (ALL ARE AT ZERO) 2. THE ODOMETER GOES TO ZERO AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS BLACK 3. TRIBBLE UNDERNEATH WHILE DRIVING FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS SHAKING THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683951

103,750 miles · Dec 5, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RELAY SWITCH FOR THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RELAY SWITCH FOR THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07E014000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,750.

NHTSA ODI #10662442

90,000 miles · Dec 2, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, BOTH OF THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10661520

11,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS ACTIVATED, BOTH LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME DIMMER AND THEN INCREASE BRIGHTNESS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS REPEATED EACH TIME THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS ACTIVATED, BOTH LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME DIMMER AND THEN INCREASE BRIGHTNESS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS REPEATED EACH TIME THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #10578060

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.