I OWN A 2005 GMC ENVOY THAT IS HAVING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE GAS GAUGE AND THE SENDER UNIT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. APPARENTLY NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE ON THEIR GM SUVS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THESE KNOWN MANUFACTURER FAULTY WORKMANSHIP ISSUES. *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
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.
Fuel System, Other complaints
41 reportsONE DAY I FILLED UP MY GAS GAGE AND IT READ EMPTY WHEN I DROVE AWAY. IT HAS READ EMPTY EVER SINCE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MOVING SLIGHTLY ABOVE E FOR A FEW MIN SHORTLY AFTER FILLING TANK. THIS HAPPENED IN FEB 07 AND I JUST HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO DROP ON A GAS GAGE SO I CALCULATE MY MILES WHICH IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT AND I HA…
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ONE DAY I FILLED UP MY GAS GAGE AND IT READ EMPTY WHEN I DROVE AWAY. IT HAS READ EMPTY EVER SINCE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MOVING SLIGHTLY ABOVE E FOR A FEW MIN SHORTLY AFTER FILLING TANK. THIS HAPPENED IN FEB 07 AND I JUST HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO DROP ON A GAS GAGE SO I CALCULATE MY MILES WHICH IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT AND I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN MISREADING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS IN THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN MY 2005 ENVOY MALFUNCTIONED. DOES NOT REGISTER HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR MONTHS. I NOTICED AN INVESTIGATION WAS OPEN IN JANUARY 2010 BUT WAS HOPING A RECALL WOULD HAVE BEEN FILED BY NOW. I DID RESEARCH AND HAVE NOTICED THERE ARE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME…
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FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN MY 2005 ENVOY MALFUNCTIONED. DOES NOT REGISTER HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR MONTHS. I NOTICED AN INVESTIGATION WAS OPEN IN JANUARY 2010 BUT WAS HOPING A RECALL WOULD HAVE BEEN FILED BY NOW. I DID RESEARCH AND HAVE NOTICED THERE ARE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME PROBLEM BEING REPORTED ON-LINE. I JUST WANTED TO FILE MY COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED. *TR
2005 GMC ENVOY 4.2 L ENGINE 69K ON ODOMETER. RE:ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE READING/SET CODE AND RAN OUT OF FUEL ON I -95 @ 1/4 TANK READING. FILLED UP AND SHOWS LESS THAN 1/2 FULL. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE LOCAL GM DEALER SAYS A COMMON PROBLEM . MUST REPLACE W/ NEW UPDATED SENDER AT OWNERS COST. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW ON THE LIFTGATE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIFTGATE WOULD NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR LIGHT WO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW ON THE LIFTGATE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIFTGATE WOULD NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC TWICE (THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF REPAIR) BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME ERRATIC. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED, THE GAS GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AS IF THERE WERE NO FUEL. IT REMAINED THAT WAY FOR SOME TIME. IT THEN WOULD FLUCTUATE WILDLY UNTIL A LARGE AMOUNT OF GAS HAD BEEN USED. NOW NOT SURE IF IT IS ACCURATE, EVEN TH…
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THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME ERRATIC. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED, THE GAS GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AS IF THERE WERE NO FUEL. IT REMAINED THAT WAY FOR SOME TIME. IT THEN WOULD FLUCTUATE WILDLY UNTIL A LARGE AMOUNT OF GAS HAD BEEN USED. NOW NOT SURE IF IT IS ACCURATE, EVEN THOUGH THE GAS LIGHT HAS GONE OFF AND IT IS NO LONGER DISPLAYING AS EMPTY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD INACCURATELY READ FUEL LEVELS AND WOULD OFTEN READ EMPTY WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD INACCURATELY READ FUEL LEVELS AND WOULD OFTEN READ EMPTY WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
2005 GMC ENVOY GAS GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WITH LIGHT ON EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL OF GAS. *TR
FUEL GAUGE INOP. *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.
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