IllustrationWE 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
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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
164 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE ABNORMALLY AND THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT LEVEL OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOR SOME TIME. IN ADDITION, THE SPE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE ABNORMALLY AND THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT LEVEL OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOR SOME TIME. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD COVER FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,224. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/11/12*LJ
2005 GMC ENVOY OUT OF THE BLUE MY SPEEDOMETER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND MY GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY WITH LIGHT ON EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS! ADDITIONALLY THE FACTORY SPEAKERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES! *TR
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GMC APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL TO THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY VEHICLE. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT SINCE I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE AND THE LETTER STATED NOT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER UNLESS YOU CURRENTLY HAD THE PROBLEM. AS OF A WEEK AGO THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I FUE…
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I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GMC APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL TO THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY VEHICLE. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT SINCE I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE AND THE LETTER STATED NOT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER UNLESS YOU CURRENTLY HAD THE PROBLEM. AS OF A WEEK AGO THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I FUELED UP UNTIL THE TANK WAS FULL AND THE GAUGE READS AS IF THE TANK IS EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT IS ON. IN ADDITION THE SPEEDOMETER HAS IS HAVING ISSUES NOW AS WELL. IT STICKS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THEN JUST GOES TO ZERO AND STAYS THERE. IF IT WEREN'T FOR MY GPS I WOULD HAVE NO CLUE WHAT RATE OF SPEED I AM TRAVELING. I HAVE CONTACTED GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP AND THE REPAIR FOR THE FUEL GAUGE WILL COST ME $240 WITH GMC PAYING THE OTHER HALF. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE BEFORE I DID SO WHY AM I NOW STUCK WITH THE REPAIR BILLS? WHY WAS THIS NOT FIXED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP? SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS.I SHOULD NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR GMC'S ERRORS! IN ADDITION THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE OTHER GMC MODELS FOR THE CLUSTER GAUGE THAT AFFECTS THE SPEEDOMETER. THE ENVOY WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. ONCE AGAIN WHY SHOULD I BE STUCK HOLDING THE BAG ON FAULTY EQUIPMENT? WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET THIS RESOLVED? *TR
THE GAS GAUGE STARTED FAILING. IT STARTED MARKING RANDOM FUEL VALUES WHICH WERE COMPLETELY INCORRECT. IT WOULD MARK HALF A TANK WHEN IT WAS FULL. IT WOULD RANDOMLY JUMP TO DIFFERENT SETTING AFTER EACH START. AND FINALLY IT GOT STUCK ON EMPTY WITH THE EMPTY LIGHT ON. *TR
2005 GMC ENVOY. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF THE CLIENT IN REGARDS TO FUEL LEVEL CENSOR THAT MAY WEAR PREMATURELY *TGW THE ATTORNEY STATED HIS CLIENTS VEHICLE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY AFTER FILLING THE TANK. ULTIMATELY, THE SENSOR WORE OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO STOP WORKING. *JB
THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 GMC ENVOY HAS BEGUN READING INCORRECTLY. THE GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN I FILL IT WITH FUEL. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE TANK APPEARS TO RETURN TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A NORMAL READING. THEN, ON IT'S OWN, IT WILL FLUXUATE DROPPING TO EMPTY, TRIGGERING THE LOW FUEL LIGHT AND ALARM AND THEN RETURN TO IT'S PREVIOU…
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THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 GMC ENVOY HAS BEGUN READING INCORRECTLY. THE GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN I FILL IT WITH FUEL. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE TANK APPEARS TO RETURN TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A NORMAL READING. THEN, ON IT'S OWN, IT WILL FLUXUATE DROPPING TO EMPTY, TRIGGERING THE LOW FUEL LIGHT AND ALARM AND THEN RETURN TO IT'S PREVIOUS POSITION. AT THIS TIME, I CANNOT TRUST THE GAUGE TO BE ACCURATE. *TR
THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 GMC ENVOY SLT HAS BEGAN READING INCORRECTLY. THE GAUGE READS EMPTY EVEN WHEN THE TANK HAS FUEL IN IT. AFTER A DAY OR SO THE TANK READS NORMAL, THEN IT BEGINS TO FLUXUATE FROM CORRECT TO EMPTY. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL BEGIN COMING ON, AND WILL GO OFF AGAIN WITH NO RESETTING. *TR
AFTER FILLING THE TANK IN MY 05 ENVOY THE GAUGE READS EMPTY FOR A WHILE, THEN GOES UP AND DOWN. *TR
FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN TANK IS FULL. IT WILL WORK AGAIN AT ABOUT HALF A TANK, THEN WHEN WE REFUEL IT WILL GO TO EMPTY AGAIN. THEN IT WILL START TO GO UP TO ABOUT 1/8 TANK, THEN GO BACK TO EMPTY. SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH GM VEHICLES. *TR
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.