IllustrationGAS GAUGE INTERMITTENT. NEVER GIVING A CONSISTANT READING WITH NEEDLE MOVING ALL OVER THE PLACE ON GAUGE. *JS
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, Other complaints
41 reportsFUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY OR FUEL LEVEL LOW AND I JUST FILLED UP! *JS
SINCE FEBRUARY 2011 FUEL SENSOR PROBLEMS INACCURATE READING FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYS FULL THEN EMPTY INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON THEN OFF, DRIVING ON THE 10 FREEWAY EAST WITH GRANDCHILDREN ABOARD VERY CLOSE TO ACCIDENT HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF TO SIDE NO FUEL IN TANK. REPORTED PROBLEM TO MARK CHRISTOPHER AUTO CENTER ONTARIO CALF. REP…
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SINCE FEBRUARY 2011 FUEL SENSOR PROBLEMS INACCURATE READING FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYS FULL THEN EMPTY INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON THEN OFF, DRIVING ON THE 10 FREEWAY EAST WITH GRANDCHILDREN ABOARD VERY CLOSE TO ACCIDENT HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF TO SIDE NO FUEL IN TANK. REPORTED PROBLEM TO MARK CHRISTOPHER AUTO CENTER ONTARIO CALF. REPLACE FUEL SENSOR ALSO RECOMMEND FUEL PUMP MODULE REPLACE AT THE SAME TIME SINCE FUEL TANK WAS OFF VEHICLE ESTIMATE FOR SERVICE $324.88 TAX INCLUDED TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP MODULE PARTS AND LABOR $800.00. VERY COSTLY SINCE ON SET INCOME JUST SERVICE ENVOY REPLACE FUEL SENSOR TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $740.34. RECEIVED LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS 8/9/2011 REIMBURSING CHARGES OF 50% ONLY FOR FUEL SENSOR CHARGES PAID. YEAR TO DATE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH FUEL GAUGE READING, RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011 DID EXPLAIN FUEL GAGE READING WERE INACCURATE, SERVICE TECHNICIAN PLACED ON SCOPE & SCANNED FOR MALFUNCTIONS STATED NO PROBLEMS FOUND. PERSONALLY UPSET FOR THE AMOUNT PAID THINKING GM ONLY CARES ABOUT LABOR CHARGES AND PRICE ON PARTS CONTRIBUTES TO THEIR PROFIT NO LOSSES. CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NO LONGER THEIR PRIORITY.TODAY SPEEDOMETER OPERATES INACCURATE READS OVER 150+MILES, OIL GAUGE IS LOCKED, RPM GAUGE INACCURATE FLUCTUATES BACK & FORTH, FUEL GAUGE READS FUEL PRESENT ACTUALLY EMPTY INDICATOR LIGHT DISPLAYS EMPTY OR INOPERATIVE STOPS SUDDENLY CONFUSING ME ADDING FUEL ESPECIALLY WITH TODAYS PRICE. WATER TEMP GAUGE READS VEHICLE OVER 180 DEGREES SO INCORRECT. TODAY DISABLE SERVICE CONNECTED VIETNAM VETERAN ALSO TWO FAMILY MEMBERS UNEMPLOYED ON SET INCOME HOW IN HELL TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED BEFORE A ACCIDENT OCCURS ON SOME ISOLATE DARK HIGHWAY, EVERYONE TEXTS, CELL PHONE USAGE, GPS READING THEIR SCREENS LITTLE ATTENTION TO THE ROAD AHEAD. REQUESTING HELP SOON WITH MY ISSUE, NOTIFIED GENERAL MOTORS OF THIS TODAY THROUGH MAIL. *JS
THE FUEL SYSTEM STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPT 2010. I WAS GOING ON VACATION STOPPED TO GET GAS, AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENVOY OFF AND RESTARTING IT THE GAUGE SEEMED TO WORK. AS THE DAYS WENT ON THE GAUGE COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING AND THE LOW…
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THE FUEL SYSTEM STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPT 2010. I WAS GOING ON VACATION STOPPED TO GET GAS, AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENVOY OFF AND RESTARTING IT THE GAUGE SEEMED TO WORK. AS THE DAYS WENT ON THE GAUGE COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON. I RESET MY TRIP METER AFTER EVERY FILL UP, HOW ANNOYING. I AM NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER WITH THIS COMPLAINT. I REC'D A LETTER THAT GM STATES ITS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THE ONLY FIX A NEW FUEL PUMP FROM A DEALER AT 50% OFF? WHO CAN AFFORD DEALER PRICES? THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT THAT GM IS FAILING TO OWN UP TO. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *KB
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT GO ABOVE 1/8 TANK. SPEEDOMETER "STICKS" USUALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND WHEN STOPPED DOES NOT RETURN TO ZERO THEN WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING AGAIN THE NEW SPEED IS ACCUMULATING ON "STUCK" SPEED. SOMETIMES SPEEDOMETER "STICKS" BEFORE REACHING STEADY SPEED AND WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED THE READING IS BELOW ZERO IN THIS …
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FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT GO ABOVE 1/8 TANK. SPEEDOMETER "STICKS" USUALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND WHEN STOPPED DOES NOT RETURN TO ZERO THEN WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING AGAIN THE NEW SPEED IS ACCUMULATING ON "STUCK" SPEED. SOMETIMES SPEEDOMETER "STICKS" BEFORE REACHING STEADY SPEED AND WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED THE READING IS BELOW ZERO IN THIS SCENARIO WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AGAIN THE "REGISTERED" SPEED IS BELOW ACTUAL SPEED. AS I DRIVE 1,000 MILES A WEEK, IT IS QUITE IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE IN MY TANK AND OF COURSE HOW FAST I AM TRAVELING. *KB
FUEL SENSOR DOESNT WORK. STARTED OUT SPORATIC NOW JUST STICKS AT QUARTER TANK OR EMPTY VARIES AT TIMES. *TT
FILLED VEHICLE WITH GAS AND THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED EMPTY. FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER WORKS. *KB
"GMC ENVOY FUEL SENSOR MAY FAIL PREMATURELY". I GOT THIS INFORMATION FROM GM IN A LETTER. THEY WILL PAY 1/2 COST TO HAVE IT REPLACED IF THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS =<120K MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS 148K AND IS A 2005 MODEL. GM TELLS ME THEY WILL NOT HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE HIGHER MILES. I CONSIDER …
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"GMC ENVOY FUEL SENSOR MAY FAIL PREMATURELY". I GOT THIS INFORMATION FROM GM IN A LETTER. THEY WILL PAY 1/2 COST TO HAVE IT REPLACED IF THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS =<120K MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS 148K AND IS A 2005 MODEL. GM TELLS ME THEY WILL NOT HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE HIGHER MILES. I CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THE FUEL SENSOR MAY READ EMPTY EVEN WHEN FULL OR FULL WHEN IN FACT THE TANK IS EMPTY TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO HAVE GM RECALL THE AFFECTED MODELS AND REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME OR THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO IN FACT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER FILED A COMPLAINT BEFORE AND HOPE THAT I HAVE PROVIDED ENOUGH INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD TO TAKE POSITIVE ACTION. *KB
THE WIPERS WERE THE FIRST TO GO. THAT NEEDED A CONTROL MODULE. THE TOUCH PADS FOR THE TAIL GATE WERE NEXT. FIRST THE DROP DOWN THEN THE SWING. THEN THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER DOOR INSIDE HANDLE STOPPED WORKING. THEN THE LEFT SIDE REAR DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE DOESN'T WORK. THEN THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DOESN'T WORK. THEN THE FUEL GAUGE D…
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THE WIPERS WERE THE FIRST TO GO. THAT NEEDED A CONTROL MODULE. THE TOUCH PADS FOR THE TAIL GATE WERE NEXT. FIRST THE DROP DOWN THEN THE SWING. THEN THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER DOOR INSIDE HANDLE STOPPED WORKING. THEN THE LEFT SIDE REAR DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE DOESN'T WORK. THEN THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DOESN'T WORK. THEN THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK. NOW THE PASSENGER'S WINDOW DOESN'T OPEN. 5TH SPEED ON THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH GMC? THAT IS A HIGH END VEHICLE AND AS SUCH SHOULD NOT BE PLAGUED WITH SUCH PROBLEMS. *KB
GAS GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORK. NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR. *KB
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.