IllustrationHEADLIGHT DRIVE MODULE (HDM) CONTROLS BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THIS RELAY HAS FAILED ON ME TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, AT NIGHT RESULTING IN GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO LIGHTS AND UNABLE TO SEE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH AT NIGHT
2009 GMC Envoy
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
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
Limited mileage data: 16 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
4 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE RIGHT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE RIGHT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. ..UPDATED 10/28/16 *BF UPDATED 03/19/15*BF....UPDATED 04/28/15*JB..UPDATED 10/04/16 *BF UPDATED 10/31/16.*JB UPDATED 9/19/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAG AND THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,566 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN UPDATED 12/16/2014 *JS
LUCKILY I STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CAR QUIT. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED TO RE-START IT BUT HAD NOTHING. A POLICE OFFICER PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND RADIOED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THEY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND $300.00 DOLLARS LATER SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEY GAVE ME THE OLD SWITCH AND I STILL HAVE IT. NOW I WO…
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LUCKILY I STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CAR QUIT. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED TO RE-START IT BUT HAD NOTHING. A POLICE OFFICER PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND RADIOED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THEY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND $300.00 DOLLARS LATER SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEY GAVE ME THE OLD SWITCH AND I STILL HAVE IT. NOW I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN ON A MAJOR FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 75-80 MPH AND THE SWITCH WERE TO GO OUT? G M IS JUST RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES, WHAT ABOUT ALL THE REST THAT STILL HAVE THE SAME THING WRONG WITH THEM. IS IT THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOSE YOUR OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE'S LIFE BEFORE THEY ARE MADE TO FIX FAULTY PARTS? MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO PRODUCE PARTS UP TO AMERICAN STANDARDS AND NOT THIRD WORLD COUNTRY STANDARDS. THANK YOU *TR
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
1RQ17002 · 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.