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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/wiper complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2024
Air BagsElectrical SystemVisibility/wiper

On steering wheel where the GMC logo is . Melted/Melting from underneath. Some type of clear color gooey. Have been told it is seal for airbag. Also none of the chimes are not working at all example * seat belts, door,blinkers,dashboard chimes *dummy lights*,along with Bose stereo. Last issues are REAR VIEW MIRROR... KEEPS …

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On steering wheel where the GMC logo is . Melted/Melting from underneath. Some type of clear color gooey. Have been told it is seal for airbag. Also none of the chimes are not working at all example * seat belts, door,blinkers,dashboard chimes *dummy lights*,along with Bose stereo. Last issues are REAR VIEW MIRROR... KEEPS FALLING OFF. have taken to dealership SEVERAL TIMES! Now they are saying that I need to contact my auto insurance provider to put in claims.

NHTSA ODI #11601561

117,400 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, WATER FROM THE RAIN ENTERED THE DOOR MODULE RESULTING IN A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V406000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS TA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, WATER FROM THE RAIN ENTERED THE DOOR MODULE RESULTING IN A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V406000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED A NOTICE THAT WAS ADDRESSED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,400.

NHTSA ODI #10723007

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2015
Visibility/wiper

LOW BEAM RELAY (HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE (HDM) BURNED OUT--SAME THING HAPPENED 4-9-2015. THIS TIME MELTED THE FAN RELAY AND FUSED THE TWO RELAYS TOGETHER. 2006 & 2007 ENVOYS WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE HDM OVERHEATED AND CAUSED HEADLAMP AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TO FAIL AND NOT ILLUMINATE. GMC PLANS TO CHA…

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LOW BEAM RELAY (HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE (HDM) BURNED OUT--SAME THING HAPPENED 4-9-2015. THIS TIME MELTED THE FAN RELAY AND FUSED THE TWO RELAYS TOGETHER. 2006 & 2007 ENVOYS WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE HDM OVERHEATED AND CAUSED HEADLAMP AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TO FAIL AND NOT ILLUMINATE. GMC PLANS TO CHARGE APPROXIMATELY $800 FOR ENTIRE NEW SET UP BECAUSE BOX IS NOT SOLD WITHOUT ALL RELAYS. WAS TOLD POSSIBLE FURTHER EXPENSE IF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE FOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704920

242,423 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Visibility/wiper

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME. MY NEIGHBOR ALERTED ME THAT MY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. I WENT OUTSIDE AND SUBSEQUENTLY OBSERVED GLASS EVERYWHERE INSIDE, ON TOP, THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR GMC MODEL THERE IS WHOLE BLOG DEDICATED TO IT ON EDMUNDS.COM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10690043

122,467 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Visibility/wiper

WE PARKED OUR GMC ENVOY IN THE DRIVEWAY THE EVENING OF 6/8/13 AROUND 7:30 PM. I HADN'T USED THE REAR HATCH AT ALL ON THIS DAY. MY HUSBAND WAS OUTSIDE AND LEFT AND CAME BACK IN HIS VEHICLE AFTER MIDNIGHT. SO SOMETIME IN THE EARLY HOURS OF 6/9/13 THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. AT FIRST WE THOUGH SOMETHING OR SOMEONE BROKE IT, HOWEVER T…

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WE PARKED OUR GMC ENVOY IN THE DRIVEWAY THE EVENING OF 6/8/13 AROUND 7:30 PM. I HADN'T USED THE REAR HATCH AT ALL ON THIS DAY. MY HUSBAND WAS OUTSIDE AND LEFT AND CAME BACK IN HIS VEHICLE AFTER MIDNIGHT. SO SOMETIME IN THE EARLY HOURS OF 6/9/13 THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. AT FIRST WE THOUGH SOMETHING OR SOMEONE BROKE IT, HOWEVER THERE WERE NO FOREIGN OBJECTS FOUND THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT THE BREAK. IT WASN'T A NICK OR CRACK, THE GLASS WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. MOST OF THE GLASS WAS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND ALL OVER THE SIDE WALK WITH ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH I FOUND MANY OTHER INSTANCES OF THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER GMC ENVOYS. IN SOME CASES PEOPLE WERE NEAR ENOUGH AND SOME BEING INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND INCURRED INJURIES WITH NO KNOWN OR APPARENT CAUSE FOR THE GLASS TO BE SHATTERED. THANK GOODNESS WE WERE INSIDE SLEEPING AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE PROBLEM COMES IN THAT I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED EVEN WITH MY INSURANCE AS MY DEDUCTIBLE HASN'T BEEN MET, SO WE HAVE PLASTIC OVER IT. WITH ALL THE REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE GMC CLAIMS TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. I'M GOING TO TAKE IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING, BUT WONDER IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE TO COMPENSATE REPLACING THE GLASS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516208

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.