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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

1) I just purchased the vehicle in Oct 2026 & 3 days after purchase, it broke down in Walmart parking lot due to, all the antifreeze pouring out. 2) December 2026 had to replace the front tires as they were stripped to the threads from rubbing against the fender wells. 3) January 2026 Wouldn’t start, wouldn’t turn over or anythi…

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1) I just purchased the vehicle in Oct 2026 & 3 days after purchase, it broke down in Walmart parking lot due to, all the antifreeze pouring out. 2) December 2026 had to replace the front tires as they were stripped to the threads from rubbing against the fender wells. 3) January 2026 Wouldn’t start, wouldn’t turn over or anything. Had the ignition replaced. Ran fine for one week. 4) Currently won’t start. Broke down.

NHTSA ODI #11714041

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlFire

I purchased my vehicle in oct of 2021 in Nov 2021 is when my car started failing my car started to lose power also started smoking from the lower passenger side no warning lights came on besides the oil warning light since Nov 2021 my car has been losing power it only goes up to about 40 m.p.h I have been smelling fuel coming f…

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I purchased my vehicle in oct of 2021 in Nov 2021 is when my car started failing my car started to lose power also started smoking from the lower passenger side no warning lights came on besides the oil warning light since Nov 2021 my car has been losing power it only goes up to about 40 m.p.h I have been smelling fuel coming from some where my tail and license plate light and back driver side inside car light stopped working the engine light turns on and off the steering wheel makes the car lose a little bit of power when I turn the wheel or when I roll up and down the windows or adjust my seat my ac does not work the back ac turns on by it's self to the heater does not work when I have it turned all the way to the 5 I hear clicking knocking noises in the back passenger side of the car my fuel injectors had puddles of oil in them the car gets really hot and blows hot air the engine is always hot the seatbelt lights are constantly flashing my check engine light as of today flashes on and off and the car jumps also my car caught on fire under the hood where the O2 sensor is started smoking than caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI #11473932

160,000 miles · May 11, 2020
Unknown Or OtherInjury

I STARTING SMELLING A SWEET SMELL IN THE CABIN. A LEAK WAS APPARENT THAT DRIPPED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CABIN TO THE MUFFLER LATER ON TO THE PAVEMENT. THE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED ON A LINE THAT RAN TO THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. ANTI FREEZE WAS LEAKING AND I WAS GETTING REALLY SICK, NOT EVEN DR'S COULD FIGURE IT OUT. TOOK A GREAT MECHANIC …

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I STARTING SMELLING A SWEET SMELL IN THE CABIN. A LEAK WAS APPARENT THAT DRIPPED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CABIN TO THE MUFFLER LATER ON TO THE PAVEMENT. THE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED ON A LINE THAT RAN TO THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. ANTI FREEZE WAS LEAKING AND I WAS GETTING REALLY SICK, NOT EVEN DR'S COULD FIGURE IT OUT. TOOK A GREAT MECHANIC CALLED [XXX] IN NATIONAL CITY, CA; AFTER SO MANY MISSED IT. THANK GOD INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324177

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2016
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

I HAD THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I DID NOT SEE ANY BREAKL LIGHTS AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME PUSHING THE OTHER CARS TO HIT EACH OTHER. MY FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BAD ENOUGH TO DAMAGE THE RADIATOR AND DESTROY MY AC UNIT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WAS DAMAGED. IT SENT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME AND MYSELF…

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I HAD THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I DID NOT SEE ANY BREAKL LIGHTS AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME PUSHING THE OTHER CARS TO HIT EACH OTHER. MY FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BAD ENOUGH TO DAMAGE THE RADIATOR AND DESTROY MY AC UNIT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WAS DAMAGED. IT SENT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME AND MYSELF TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. " MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ". MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #10908300

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 GMC ENVOY MY SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP WORKING AND REGISTER AS 0 MPH EVEN WHEN I AM MOVING. IT ALSO HAS SHOWN ME TRAVELLING AT A MUCH HIGHER SPEED AT TIMES. THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH THIS THAT I'VE FOUND WHILE SEARCHING THE WEB. IT IS UNNERVING AND DANGEROUS TO NOT KNOW THE SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING. I HAVE …

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 GMC ENVOY MY SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP WORKING AND REGISTER AS 0 MPH EVEN WHEN I AM MOVING. IT ALSO HAS SHOWN ME TRAVELLING AT A MUCH HIGHER SPEED AT TIMES. THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH THIS THAT I'VE FOUND WHILE SEARCHING THE WEB. IT IS UNNERVING AND DANGEROUS TO NOT KNOW THE SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING. I HAVE STARTED TO USE A GPS SYSTEM WHEN I DRIVE TO SHOW MY SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #10750013

77,000 miles · Aug 8, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS/STOPS.

NHTSA ODI #10747146

87,000 miles · May 5, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE A LOCAL RESTAURANT, DRIVER STRUCK VEHICLE BEHIND HER. THIS HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT IT WAS UNKNOWN TO THE DRIVER HOW THE VEHICLE TRAVELED SO QUICKLY THAT DRIVER HAD NOT EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID STRIKING THE OTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER PLACED VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO PULL OVER …

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WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE A LOCAL RESTAURANT, DRIVER STRUCK VEHICLE BEHIND HER. THIS HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT IT WAS UNKNOWN TO THE DRIVER HOW THE VEHICLE TRAVELED SO QUICKLY THAT DRIVER HAD NOT EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID STRIKING THE OTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER PLACED VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO PULL OVER TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. WHEN PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A BRICK RESTAURANT. DAMAGE WAS ALSO DONE TO THE INTERIOR BATHROOM OF THE FACILITY AND THE BUSINESS HAD TO CLOSE TO ASSURE SAFETY OF IT'S STAFF/CUSTOMERS. WITNESS STATES THE VEHICLE WAS OBVIOUSLY LURCHING AND APPEARED TO HAVE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE DRIVER'S FOOT BOUNCED OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ON IMPACT LODGING IT UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT NEITHER FRONT AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY. DRIVER DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION HOWEVER DRIVER'S FOOT WAS BADLY BRUISED.

NHTSA ODI #10714852

123,588 miles · May 4, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WHEN I WAS GETTING ONTO A HIGHWAY AND WHEN I LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER IT REGISTERED 120MPH. I WAS JUST MERGING INTO THE LANE WITH TRAFFIC. THEN WHEN I EXITED AND WILE WAITING FOR A STOPLIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN, MY CAR REGISTERED 60 WHILE SITTING STILL. THIS HAD HAPPENED THE WINTER BEFORE AND THEN STO…

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I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WHEN I WAS GETTING ONTO A HIGHWAY AND WHEN I LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER IT REGISTERED 120MPH. I WAS JUST MERGING INTO THE LANE WITH TRAFFIC. THEN WHEN I EXITED AND WILE WAITING FOR A STOPLIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN, MY CAR REGISTERED 60 WHILE SITTING STILL. THIS HAD HAPPENED THE WINTER BEFORE AND THEN STOPPED. THIS TIME I HAD TO FIX IT. IT NEVER STOPPED REGISTERING MY SPEED INCORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714489

105,000 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Unknown Or OtherFire

WHEN BACKING A SMALL TRAILER INTO GARAGE, DRIVER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM HOOD, DRIVER EXISTED VEHICLE WHICH SOON WAS ENGULFED. ENTIRE ENGINE AND COMPONENTS WERE TOTALED DUE TO FIRE LOSS. CAR A COMPLETE LOSS.

NHTSA ODI #10625722

89,000 miles · Sep 23, 2013
Unknown Or Other

THE BACK PASSENGER DOORS, AT TIMES, WONT SHUT, THEY KEEP POPPING OPEN. I HAD THE PARTS REPLACED BACK IN 2009, NOW IT IS 2013 AND I HAVE TO REPLACE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10544905

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.