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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

488 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED MORE THAN THREE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10898600

140,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

CAR WAS PARKED FOR 10 MINUTES WHEN WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE INTERIOR UPON OPENING THE CAR DOOR WE REALIZED THE DASHBOARD WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI #10876962

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT COMPARE TO MINE THE FUEL GAUGE, OIL GAUGES, AIR CONDITIONER ARE ALL MALFUNCTIONING IN MY CAR AND I'M VERY UPSET BECAUSE ALL OF THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2005 AND I WILL NEVER BUY A GMC CAR AGAIN FOR THIS REASON IT'S ONE THING TO RECALL REPAIR PARTS THAT WERE …

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READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT COMPARE TO MINE THE FUEL GAUGE, OIL GAUGES, AIR CONDITIONER ARE ALL MALFUNCTIONING IN MY CAR AND I'M VERY UPSET BECAUSE ALL OF THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2005 AND I WILL NEVER BUY A GMC CAR AGAIN FOR THIS REASON IT'S ONE THING TO RECALL REPAIR PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN THAT TO REPAIR MALFUNCTION PARTS. VERY DISAPPOINTED. IN SHORT MY GAUGES DON'T WORK, MY AIR CONDITIONER ONLY WORKS ON ONE SIDE AND NOW MY HEADLIGHTS LOW BEAN DON'T WORK. GMC NEEDS TO RECALL AND REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10871808

143,000 miles · Apr 1, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10852857

101,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, HOWEVER, THE DETAILS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, HOWEVER, THE DETAILS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ODI #10849607

120,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER READS 0 OIL PRESSURE GUAGE READS NO PRESSURE, ALL GUAGES READ 0, THEN SPEEDOMETER READS RANDOM SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #10825353

120,000 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

TAKATA RECALL, EARLY MORNING, MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING, SO I FILLED IT AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD TURNING ONTO MY OWN STREET, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ME CRASHING INTO A POLE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, SO I FLEW INTO THE S…

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TAKATA RECALL, EARLY MORNING, MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING, SO I FILLED IT AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD TURNING ONTO MY OWN STREET, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ME CRASHING INTO A POLE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, SO I FLEW INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, BREAKING MY HAND. THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE IT WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI #10823558

1,310,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Electrical System

PROBLEM WITH BOTH HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM MALFUNCTION; GOING ON AND OFF. PROBLEM STARTED ON 1/10/16 AND CONTINUES UNTIL TODAY DESPITE REPLACING BOTH HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM FUSES AND RELAY.

NHTSA ODI #10820119

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2015
Exterior Lighting

LIGHTS GO OFF AND WON'T COME BACK ON FOR 2 HOURS. YOU CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING BUT CANNOT FIND WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. I HAVE REPLACED ALL BULBS 3 TIMES. AND NOTHING CHANGES.

NHTSA ODI #10817219

142,000 miles · Oct 21, 2015
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #10785110

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.