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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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143,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

THE FIRST DAY WE HAD THE TRUCK THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THE WRONG SPEED AND HAS BEEN THAT WAY. IT WORKS OCCASIONALLY. THEN A WEEK LATER THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THEY CAME BACK ON AFTER A FEW MINS. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS AGO. THE FUEL GAGE IS IN ACCURATE AS WELL. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID …

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THE FIRST DAY WE HAD THE TRUCK THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THE WRONG SPEED AND HAS BEEN THAT WAY. IT WORKS OCCASIONALLY. THEN A WEEK LATER THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THEY CAME BACK ON AFTER A FEW MINS. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS AGO. THE FUEL GAGE IS IN ACCURATE AS WELL. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS BUT THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565935

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2013
Exterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

WE WERE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT LEAVING US IN THE DARK. WE HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES BUT THEY ARE ALL FINE. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT COME OFF OF EMPTY EVEN THOUGH WE FILL IT UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534113

130,000 miles · Jun 16, 2013
Exterior Lighting

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE RAMP, MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER IN AND OUT. AT ONE POINT THE LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT. AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. WENT TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520034

180,000 miles · May 11, 2013
Exterior Lighting

ON WAY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 8:00 PM CENTRAL TIME AT NIGHT TO MOTHERS HOUSE AT SPEED OF 45 MPH WHICH IS SPEED LIMIT 55 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS START FLICKERING ON AND OFF. AS I STILL DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF GOT WORSE AND WORSE. I WAS IMMEDIATELY CONCERN WITH THE SAFETY OF MYSEL…

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ON WAY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 8:00 PM CENTRAL TIME AT NIGHT TO MOTHERS HOUSE AT SPEED OF 45 MPH WHICH IS SPEED LIMIT 55 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS START FLICKERING ON AND OFF. AS I STILL DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF GOT WORSE AND WORSE. I WAS IMMEDIATELY CONCERN WITH THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD THAT I HAD TO STOP AT A STORE TO CHECK THE LIGHTS. LIGHTS AND VEHICLE IS INTACT AND NOTHING SEEM TO CAUSE ANY OBSTRUCTION FOR THE LIGHTS TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. I IMMEDIATELY CAME HOME WHICH I WAS ONLY 15 MILES FROM THE HOUSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511529

60,000 miles · Dec 3, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

ALMOST DUSK, HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. THOUGHT I SAW A FLICKER. GOT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AND SAW THAT IT WAS MY LIGHTS. LOOKED TO MY PANEL AND MY VOLTAGE WAS SWINGING BETWEEN 9 VOLTS UP TO 18-19 VOLTS. TURNED ALL POWER DRAW OFF EXCEPT MY LOW BEAMS. NEEDLE KEPT SWINGING AND LIGHTS KEPT FLASHING. WAS 6 MILES FROM HOME. I MADE IT. THERE W…

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ALMOST DUSK, HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. THOUGHT I SAW A FLICKER. GOT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AND SAW THAT IT WAS MY LIGHTS. LOOKED TO MY PANEL AND MY VOLTAGE WAS SWINGING BETWEEN 9 VOLTS UP TO 18-19 VOLTS. TURNED ALL POWER DRAW OFF EXCEPT MY LOW BEAMS. NEEDLE KEPT SWINGING AND LIGHTS KEPT FLASHING. WAS 6 MILES FROM HOME. I MADE IT. THERE WAS A DISCHARGE TO MY SYSTEM INSTEAD OF CONTINUEING TO CHARGE. TOOK TO DEALER. NOTHING FOUND. 11-6-2012 IT HAPPENED AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED INBETWEEN ALSO. VERY INTERMITTANT. HAD BATTTERY & ALTERNATOR CHECKED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. ALWAYS GOOD. AFTER INCIDENTS, WORKS FINE UNTIL NEXT TIME. NEVER HAPPENED IN SUMMER. ALWAYS WHEN COOLER WEATHER. NOW THAT IT IS DECEMBER, AFRAID TO DRIVE AFTER DARK. THERE MUST A BULLENTIN OR RECALL??? TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF MY CAR. ENGINE IS GOOD. ONLY 69,000 MILES. IS DEALER JUST ACTING DUMB? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487178

90,000 miles · Nov 9, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO DIM, THEN BRIGHTEN REPEATEDLY, AS TO APPEAR TO BE "FLASHING" OTHER DRIVERS. SHORTLY AFTER, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, A FEW DAYS LATER THE BATTERY GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING RIGHT. NOW, THE ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY JERKS, LIKE IT I…

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HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO DIM, THEN BRIGHTEN REPEATEDLY, AS TO APPEAR TO BE "FLASHING" OTHER DRIVERS. SHORTLY AFTER, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, A FEW DAYS LATER THE BATTERY GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING RIGHT. NOW, THE ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY JERKS, LIKE IT IS MISSING DUE TO LACK OF FUEL. CONTACTED GMC ON 11-09-2012. NO SOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483865

100,000 miles · Jun 6, 2012
Exterior Lighting

THE REAR LIGHT, LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE SNAPPED OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AS RESULT, BUT VERY EASILY COULD HAVE CREATED ONE. WOULD LIKE FOR GMC TO COVER THE COST TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460785

70,000 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL GAGE STOPPED WORKING AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT STAYS ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF THE PORT TO CHECK ENGINE CODE DOES NOT WORK. THE INSIDE COURTESY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING ONE BACK UP LIGHT WILL NOT WORK THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT GETS NO POWER AND WON'T WORK. ONLY 3 OF THE 5 SPEED SETTINGS ON THE FAN WO…

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THE FUEL GAGE STOPPED WORKING AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT STAYS ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF THE PORT TO CHECK ENGINE CODE DOES NOT WORK. THE INSIDE COURTESY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING ONE BACK UP LIGHT WILL NOT WORK THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT GETS NO POWER AND WON'T WORK. ONLY 3 OF THE 5 SPEED SETTINGS ON THE FAN WORK. GMC DEALER SAYS THEY CAN DO NOTHING, AND THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THESE PROBLEMS. HOWEVER I AM ABLE TO FIND THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE IN VARIOUS CONSUMER SITES. GMC WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432263

90,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Exterior Lighting

OUT OF NOWHERE MY FRONT HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT. ITS NOT THE FUSE OR THE BULBS, BOTH FRONT LOW LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HIGH BEAMS WORK. THERE IS NO POWER GOING TO THE LIGHTS AND I HAVE TO BUY A NEW SWITCH. THE GAS GAUGE IS BROKEN. THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. I FEEL SO STUCK WITH THIS CAR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10412362

89,000 miles · May 2, 2011
Exterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE JUST STOPPED WORKING. IS ALWAYS ON E. EVEN WHEN I FILL IT UP.. GAS LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON AND DINGING. I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM IN ENVOYS AND I FEEL GMC SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. MILEAGE RANGE IS HUGE SO IT IS HARD TO TRAVEL AND KNOW WHEN TO GET GAS. ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN GAS STATIONS …

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FUEL GAUGE JUST STOPPED WORKING. IS ALWAYS ON E. EVEN WHEN I FILL IT UP.. GAS LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON AND DINGING. I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM IN ENVOYS AND I FEEL GMC SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. MILEAGE RANGE IS HUGE SO IT IS HARD TO TRAVEL AND KNOW WHEN TO GET GAS. ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN GAS STATIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS IN RANGE.

NHTSA ODI #10399024

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.