Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
2525–50K
4450–75K
2575–100K
26100–150K
12150K+
145 reports with mileage · 42 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 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
187 reports
6,200 miles · Nov 23, 2004
Power Train
I OWN A 2004 ENVOY XL WITH A V-8 MOTOR. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATES THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM, THAT THE TRANSMISSION JERKS EXTREMELY BAD WHEN IT CHANGES INTO 2ND GEAR AND THEN AGAIN WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER ENVOY OWNERS THAT THEY HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED, AND ON…
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I OWN A 2004 ENVOY XL WITH A V-8 MOTOR. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATES THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM, THAT THE TRANSMISSION JERKS EXTREMELY BAD WHEN IT CHANGES INTO 2ND GEAR AND THEN AGAIN WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER ENVOY OWNERS THAT THEY HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED, AND ONE FRIEND HAD EVEN HAD HIS VEHICLE EXCHANGED UNDER THE LEMON LAW. THE DEALER HAD VIRTUALLY DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. OTHER DEALERS IN MY AREA DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH THE VEHICLE, AND IT ONLY HAS 6500 MILES ON IT. I'M BEGINNING TO BELIEVE THAT I'VE BEEN STUCK WITH A LEMON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10100444
5,000 miles · Aug 10, 2004
Seat Belts
DRIVER SEAT MALFUNCTIONS, IT JAMS AND I CAN NOT GET IT UNJAMMED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BELT. 7 DAYS LATER IT JAMMED AGAIN. DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AGAIN. THEY SAY IT IS OVER SPOOLING. THE SEAT BELT NEEDS TO WORK AT ALL TIMES. STATE LAW REQUIRES A SEAT BELT ON TO DRIVE. WHEN IT JAMS I CAN NOT DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10086571
4 miles · May 3, 2004
Electrical System
NO HEAT IN REAR OF ENVOY GMC HAS NO REPAIR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10068211
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2004
Equipment
THE BUMPER JACK IS UNSAFE. WHEN JACKED TO ITS FULL HEIGHT UNDER A LOAD, THE JACK'S CORK SCREW MOVES, MISALIGN ITSELF, FROM THE JACK'S BODY. THEREFORE, YOU ARE UNABLE TO SCREW IT BACK INTO ITS BODY DUE TO THE MISALIGNMENT. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE JACK, I HAD TO DRIVE OFF OF IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063629
12,000 miles · Mar 22, 2004
Exterior Lighting
I OWN A GMC ENVOY LX 2004. WHEN I PUT MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON THE HAZARDS TURN ON. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERYTIME, SO IT IS VERY HARD TO REPEAT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I SOMETIMES CAN NOT SIGNAL. I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO STICK MY HAND OUT SIDE TO LET THE PEOPLE NEAR ME NOW I AM TURNING. ALSO THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL S…
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I OWN A GMC ENVOY LX 2004. WHEN I PUT MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON THE HAZARDS TURN ON. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERYTIME, SO IT IS VERY HARD TO REPEAT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I SOMETIMES CAN NOT SIGNAL. I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO STICK MY HAND OUT SIDE TO LET THE PEOPLE NEAR ME NOW I AM TURNING. ALSO THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES JUST DOES NOT WORK. IT IS ALSO RANDOM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10062808
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2004
Tires
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND NEXT DAY SHE WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT A NAIL MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN THE TIRE. CONSUMER DISAGREED WITH DEALERS ASSESSMENT. MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061196
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2004
Seat Belts
I AM RENTING A GMC ENVOY. WHEN I FIRST GOT INTO THE CAR I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT HIT MY NECK AT A NOT-TOO-COMFORTABLE SPOT BUT I DIDN'T REALLY THINK MUCH ABOUT IT...UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN I TURNED MY HEAD AND BODY IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE VERY STURDY SEAT BELT CUT MY NECK. IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL, ONLY A SCRATCH BUT IF I HADN'T JU…
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I AM RENTING A GMC ENVOY. WHEN I FIRST GOT INTO THE CAR I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT HIT MY NECK AT A NOT-TOO-COMFORTABLE SPOT BUT I DIDN'T REALLY THINK MUCH ABOUT IT...UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN I TURNED MY HEAD AND BODY IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE VERY STURDY SEAT BELT CUT MY NECK. IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL, ONLY A SCRATCH BUT IF I HADN'T JUST BEEN CASUALLY TURNING MY HEAD, IF I HAD BRAKED SUDDENLY OR BEEN IN A COLLISION, I'M NOT SO SURE. I KNOW IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL BUT PLEASE PUT MY LETTER IN THE PILE SO IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. THANKS.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, 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
4
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.
DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.
BY LETTER DATED APRIL 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING ASAFETY RECALL ( NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V198 ) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEARS (MY) 2003-2004 ISUZU ASCENDER, CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER, GMC ENVOY, OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AND MY 2004 BUICK RAINER VEHICLES.THE RECALL APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 2003 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2003 FOR A TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION OF 286,478.GM REPORTS THE DIRECTIONAL/HAZARD SIGNALS FAILURE IS DUE TO STICKING CONTACTS ON ROUTING RELAYS IN THE FLASHER MODULE.GM WILL REPLACE THE FLASHER MODULE ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit
BY LETTER DATED APRIL 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING ASAFETY RECALL ( NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V198 ) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEARS (MY) 2003-2004 ISUZU ASCENDER, CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER, GMC ENVOY, OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AND MY 2004 BUICK RAINER VEHICLES.THE RECALL APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 2003 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2003 FOR A TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION OF 286,478.GM REPORTS THE DIRECTIONAL/HAZARD SIGNALS FAILURE IS DUE TO STICKING CONTACTS ON ROUTING RELAYS IN THE FLASHER MODULE.GM WILL REPLACE THE FLASHER MODULE ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
BY LETTER DATED APRIL 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING ASAFETY RECALL ( NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V198 ) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEARS (MY) 2003-2004 ISUZU ASCENDER, CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER, GMC ENVOY, OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AND MY 2004 BUICK RAINER VEHICLES.THE RECALL APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 2003 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2003 FOR A TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION OF 286,478.GM REPORTS THE DIRECTIONAL/HAZARD SIGNALS FAILURE IS DUE TO STICKING CONTACTS ON ROUTING RELAYS IN THE FLASHER MODULE.GM WILL REPLACE THE FLASHER MODULE ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
BY LETTER DATED APRIL 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING ASAFETY RECALL ( NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V198 ) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEARS (MY) 2003-2004 ISUZU ASCENDER, CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER, GMC ENVOY, OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AND MY 2004 BUICK RAINER VEHICLES.THE RECALL APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 2003 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2003 FOR A TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION OF 286,478.GM REPORTS THE DIRECTIONAL/HAZARD SIGNALS FAILURE IS DUE TO STICKING CONTACTS ON ROUTING RELAYS IN THE FLASHER MODULE.GM WILL REPLACE THE FLASHER MODULE ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA04021 · Brake Lamp Failure
Opened Aug 3, 2004 · Closed Nov 4, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.ON MARCH 2, 2004, GM INITIATED A 6-YEAR/72,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR 989,487 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES.ON APRIL 4, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-032) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.ON AUGUST 3, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE04-032 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-021).BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V527) COVERING SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER GM'S SPECIAL POLICY.MY 2004 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 8, 2003 CONTAIN IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AND EARLIER.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
2004 GMC Envoy Xl Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year