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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

Visibility complaints

12 reports
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90,000 miles · Dec 26, 2012
Visibility

REAR WINDSHIELD/BACK WINDOW SHATTERED ON IT'S OWN WHILE PARKED IN PARKING LOT. COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY OR WHAT HAD CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SHOP FOR WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED, AND WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR TO LEAVE THE SHOP THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AT THE TIME AND THIS…

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REAR WINDSHIELD/BACK WINDOW SHATTERED ON IT'S OWN WHILE PARKED IN PARKING LOT. COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY OR WHAT HAD CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SHOP FOR WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED, AND WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR TO LEAVE THE SHOP THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AT THE TIME AND THIS SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF BOTH OF US. THE SHOP COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS AND REPLACED THE WINDOW FOR A 2ND TIME. WHEN I GOT HOME I GOOGLED 'GMC ENVOY, REAR WINDOW' AND SEE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHERS WITH ENVOYS OF DIFFERENT YEAR MODELS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO HERE FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE OF US DRIVING THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490084

40,500 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT STOP WIPING WHEN CONTROL IS MOVED TO STOP. MUST STOP VEHICLE, TURN IGNITION OFF IN ORDER TO TURN THE WIPERS OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456198

94,000 miles · Jan 28, 2012
StructureVisibility

AT APPROXIMATELY 8 AM FRIDAY JANUARY 27TH I OPENED THE BACK HATCH OF MY GMC ENVOY. APPROXIMATELY 4-6 INCHES PULLING IT DOWN TO SHUT IT THE ENTIRE WINDOW SHATTERED ALL OVER ME, THE GROUND AND INSIDE MY CAR. I CALLED MY INSURANCE, PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE TO HAVE IT REPLACED, IT WAS FIXED AND THEN TODAY JANUARY 28TH, ONE DAY AFTER HAVI…

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AT APPROXIMATELY 8 AM FRIDAY JANUARY 27TH I OPENED THE BACK HATCH OF MY GMC ENVOY. APPROXIMATELY 4-6 INCHES PULLING IT DOWN TO SHUT IT THE ENTIRE WINDOW SHATTERED ALL OVER ME, THE GROUND AND INSIDE MY CAR. I CALLED MY INSURANCE, PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE TO HAVE IT REPLACED, IT WAS FIXED AND THEN TODAY JANUARY 28TH, ONE DAY AFTER HAVING IT REPLACED I WAS CLOSING THE DOOR AGAIN AND AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME POINT IN CLOSING IT COMPLETELY SHATTERED AGAIN. THIS IS TWICE IN TWO DAYS. I WAS TOLD THE FIRST TIME IT PROBABLY HAD TO DO WITH THE WEATHER BUT THE WEATHER WAS WARMER TODAY THAN YESTERDAY AND SEVERAL FORUMS HAVE SHOWN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VEHICLE ISSUE VS A WEATHER ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445713

180,000 miles · Dec 28, 2011
StructureVisibility

THE REAR WINDSHIELD OF MY 2005 GMC ENVOY XL EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON TODAY. I LIFTED THE FULL HATCH (NOT JUST THE WINDOW SECTION) TO PLACE ITEMS IN THE BACK THAT I HAD PURCHASED AT HOME DEPOT. I PLACED A CAN OF PAINT, ONE BAG, AND A BAG OF SAND IN THE BACK - NOTHING THAT WAS NEAR THE GLASS OF THE HATCH. I THEN CLOSED T…

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THE REAR WINDSHIELD OF MY 2005 GMC ENVOY XL EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON TODAY. I LIFTED THE FULL HATCH (NOT JUST THE WINDOW SECTION) TO PLACE ITEMS IN THE BACK THAT I HAD PURCHASED AT HOME DEPOT. I PLACED A CAN OF PAINT, ONE BAG, AND A BAG OF SAND IN THE BACK - NOTHING THAT WAS NEAR THE GLASS OF THE HATCH. I THEN CLOSED THE HATCH WITH ENOUGH FORCE FOR IT TO CLOSE SECURELY, BUT NOT WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. AS I WALKED TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER THE CAR, I HEARD A LOUD POP THAT I THOUGHT WAS SOMEONE HITTING THE BACK OF MY CAR WITH THEIR VEHICLE. AS I WALKED AROUND TO THE BACK, MY REAR WINDOW WAS SHATTERED INTO A MILLION TINY PIECES. THERE WERE NO OBJECTS OR PEOPLE AROUND THE WINDOW CLOSE ENOUGH TO BREAK IT - IT JUST SHATTERED FOR NO REASON AT ALL! THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ISSUES WITH REAR WINDSHIELDS, BUT I FOUND INFORMATION THAT DIFFERS ON LINE. FORTUNATELY, THE DEDUCTIBLE ON MY INSURANCE IS ONLY $200. HOWEVER, FOR OTHERS, I HAVE SEEN WHERE THEY HAVE HAD TO PAY UP TO $1500 OUT OF POCKET FOR THE EXPENSE BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE THE WINDOW. THE COMPANY THAT IS COMING TO REPLACE IT SAID THE WINDOW ITSELF COSTS $937, NOT INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441492

72,000 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10425433

120,000 miles · Sep 23, 2010
Fuel System, OtherVisibility

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.

NHTSA ODI #10357160

72,200 miles · Aug 25, 2008
StructureVisibility

I HAVE A 2005 ENVOY THAT I PURCHASED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO FROM A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. ON THE DAY OF THE FAILURE, I DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I FOUND THAT THE BACK TRUNK HATCH HAD SOMEHOW OPENED ON ITS OWN, CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE GLASS. THE TRUNK HATCH WAS BROKEN IN SUCH A MANNER …

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I HAVE A 2005 ENVOY THAT I PURCHASED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO FROM A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. ON THE DAY OF THE FAILURE, I DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I FOUND THAT THE BACK TRUNK HATCH HAD SOMEHOW OPENED ON ITS OWN, CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE GLASS. THE TRUNK HATCH WAS BROKEN IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT ON BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OR OBJECT. AFTER NOTICING THIS DEFECT, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY WHERE THEY FILED A CLAIM WITH THE WARRANTY COMPANY. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DECIDED THAT THE STRUTS WERE NOT THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT AND WORKED PROPERLY AND COULD NOT HYPOTHESIS ON WHY THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. HE REPORTED THIS TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY WHO THUS DENIED THE CLAIM BECAUSE THEY DO NOT COVER THE GLASS ON THE AUTOMOBILE. I WAS DISPLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME AND CONTACTED BOTH THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND THE GMC HEADQUARTERS MYSELF, HOPING THAT THIS INITIATIVE WOULD RESOLVE THE SITUATION. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE IS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE HATCH TO OPEN ON ITS OWN. THE COMPANY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE STRUTS AND ARE REQUIRING ME TO PAY FOR THE GLASS REPLACEMENT AND LABOR FOR SOMETHING THAT I NEITHER CAUSED NOR COULD HAVE PREVENTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239706

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2006
Visibility

I TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER ON A COLD EVENING IN A GMC ENVOY I HAD RENTED FROM NATIONAL RENT A CAR. IT WAS, I BELIEVE, A 2005 MODEL. IT WAS A COLD NIGHT AND THE DEFROSTER HAD TO BE TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING, FIVE MINUTES LATER, A LARGE "CRACK" WAS NOTED. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTING IN THE EXACT SHAPE OF THE CENTRAL DEFROSTER.…

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I TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER ON A COLD EVENING IN A GMC ENVOY I HAD RENTED FROM NATIONAL RENT A CAR. IT WAS, I BELIEVE, A 2005 MODEL. IT WAS A COLD NIGHT AND THE DEFROSTER HAD TO BE TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING, FIVE MINUTES LATER, A LARGE "CRACK" WAS NOTED. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTING IN THE EXACT SHAPE OF THE CENTRAL DEFROSTER. THE SINGLE EXIT DEFROSTER IS A HAZARD AS HEAT IS TOO CONCENTRATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150472

5,932 miles · Nov 17, 2005
Visibility

I RECENTLY BOUGHT AN GMC ENVOY XUV SUDDENLY ONE DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND IT STARTED RAINING, I TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THEN ADJUSTED IT TO THE SLOWEST MODE. THEY STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN THE RAIN WITH POOR VISIBILITY. I ALSO BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE AND AS OF THIS DATE THERE ARE ONLY APP…

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I RECENTLY BOUGHT AN GMC ENVOY XUV SUDDENLY ONE DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND IT STARTED RAINING, I TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THEN ADJUSTED IT TO THE SLOWEST MODE. THEY STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN THE RAIN WITH POOR VISIBILITY. I ALSO BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE AND AS OF THIS DATE THERE ARE ONLY APPROXIMATELY 6000 MILES ON THE CAR. I CALLED TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY MY WARRANTY SO FAR I HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND THEREFORE HAVE NOT BEEN USING THIS VEHICLE. UNTIL I GET BETTER SERVICE AT GMC I WILL CONTINUE TO NOT USE IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143059

212 miles · Aug 30, 2005
SeatsVisibility

2005 GMC ENVOY HAS DEVELOPED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. *MR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT SIDE COVER WAS COMING OFF AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. BOTH ISSUES WERE RECURRENT. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10135604

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.