2003 GMC Envoy XL

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 228 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
79,800 milesMedian miles at failure

196 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System35
014
Fuel System, Gasoline20
010
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly11
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel10
000
Structure › Body9
002
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap8
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch7
000
Fuel/Propulsion System7
000
Visibility6
001
Air Bags6
608

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch05V494000
Filed Oct 27, 200598,007 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCH THAT MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SPLASH, SUCH AS WATER AND ROAD SALT. THESE VEHICLES WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Risk. IF THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY AND IT GOES UNNOTICED, IT MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ALONG THE LOWER PART OF THE ROCKER PANEL TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF CORROSIVE MATERIAL, AND INSPECT THE REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCHES. FUNCTIONAL LATCHES WILL BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. NON-FUNCTIONING LATCHES WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights04V527000
Filed Nov 1, 2004871,473 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer04V046000
Filed Feb 4, 2004581,394 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHER CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OR CAN LEAD TO THE CORROSION OF COMPONENTS WITHIN THE MODULE.

Risk. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AND BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2020VA

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE A STRONG ODOR OF GAS ENTERING THE CABIN. FILL VEHICLE UP AND LARGE AMOUNT OF GAS POURS ON THE GROUND FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALS THE PART THAT ATTACHES TO THE GAS TANK IS BROKEN OFF CAUSING VAPORS TO ESCAPE AND NOT PROVIDING A SEAL TO CONTAIN THE SMELL. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NORMAL OPERATING SPEED VEHICLE LOSES OIL PRESSURE CAUSING IT TO DROP TO 0 AND MESSAGE APPEARS TO STOP ENGINE. BOTH INCIDENTS ARE SAFETY HAZARDS AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS LIFE AN DEATH INCIDENTS IF ISSUES ARE NOT ADDRESSED BY THE CORPORATION. THIS OCCUR ON INTERSTATE 66 IN WASHINGTON, DC. IMMEDIATE RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES FROM GMC NEEEDS TO BE INITIATED.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 4, 2019188,000 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING I WAS SCARED BECAUSE I HAD TRAFFIC RIGHT BEHIND ME GOING 45MPH AND THEN THEY CAR WOULD NOT RUN AGAIN. I WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTER SECTION AT HALL ROAD AND 59 IT WAS THE SCARIEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AS A USED AUTO AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE EMMISSION SYSTEM EVER GOT CHANGED AND THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AND THE DEALER SAID NOT TO DRIVE WITH MY HOUSE KEYS ATTACHED. I HAD TO GET THE AUTO TOWED HOME.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 23, 2018181,000 milesMN

WHEN IN PARK POSITION HEAVY GAS FUMES COMING FROM A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. YOU CAN VISUALLY SEE THE GAS STAINS ON THE SIDES AND BOTTOM OF TANK.WHEN ROLLING TO A STOP THE FUMES RETURN.I'M GETTING HEADACHES AND BURNING OF MY EYES AND THROAT.I CHECKED MY VIN FOR RECALLS, THE PARTS INVOLVED ARE #14423C FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE FRACTURE,AND #07076A FUEL TANK MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY CORROSION #12166 FUEL FILLER NECK..I'M AFRAID EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT THAT I COULD BE BODILY HARMED AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, A SPARK,SOMEONE FLICKING A CIGARETTE,A ACCIDENT, ANYTHING THAT WOULD TRIGGER A SPARK.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 4, 2018110,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY XL. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MANFREDI CHEVROLET (2519 HYLAN BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10306, (347) 979-0291) PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 26, 2018145,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE THIRD ROW FLOOR GOT REALLY HOT AND MY CHILDREN WERE SAYING THEIR FEET WERE REALLY HOT AND WE SMELLED SOMETHING LIKE PLASTIC MELTING AND MY 15 YEAR OLD COUSINS BOOT MELTED AND THE CARPET MELTED AND YOU CAN SEE METAL. ONCE WE ARRIVED HOME THE BLINKER STAYED ON AND DID NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED. JUST BEFORE THIS HAPPED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO PUT HIS FOOT ON THE GAS ALL THE WAY.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 8, 201890,000 milesMA

WE PURCHASED OUR 2003 GMC ENVOY XL SLE 8 CYLINDER BRAND NEW AT ALDEN BUICK IN FAIRHAVEN, MASS IN JULY 2003; FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS WE HAD IT SERVICED AT ROBERTSSON'S GMC 2680 CRANBERRY HIGHWAY, WAREHAM, MASS.02571,508-291-0044. WE HAD IT RECONDITIONED AT THIS DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR, SPENDING $4000.00; WE HAD IT INSPECTED AT THIS DEALERSHIP WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS VEHICLE CHECK; IT PASSED THE FRONT END CHECK AND FRAME CHECK ON 8/4/17. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN LATE DECEMBER, AND HIT SEVERAL DEEP POTHOLES CAUSED BY AN ICE STORM; SHORTLY THEREAFTER I LOST STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO ALDEN BUICK/GMC IN FAIRHAVEN, MASS. TO BE TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME HAD COLLAPSED DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION AND RUST. I HAD IT TOWED TO ROBERTSON'S GMC IN WAREHAM AND FILED A CLAIM WITH COMMERCE INS. CO. TO HOPEFULLY COVER THE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME; COMMERCE DENIED THE CLAIM STATING"THE FRAME ASSEMBLY WAS SEVERELY ROTTED AND THIS EXTENSIVE ROT ALLOWED THE RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM TO BREAK AWAYFROM THE MOUNTING POINT ON THE FRAME RAIL. GMC ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATING THAT SOME ENVOY MODELS SUFFERED FROM EXTENSIVE FRAME CORROSION. WHY DID ROBERTSON'S GMC PASS THE VEHICLE ON THE SAFETY CHECK, AND WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED OF THE VEHICLE'S FRAME CORROSION BEFORE I SPENT THE $4000.00 RECONDITIONING IT? WHY IS FRAME CHECK AND FRONT END CHECK LISTED AS PASS ON MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS CORROSION AND RUST WAS PRESENT AT TIME OF INSSPECTION? FORTUNATELY NEITHER I NOR ANY OF MY FAMI

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 19, 201790,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FILLER PIPE WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BLADDER TO LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLADDER AND FILLER NECK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 17, 2017CT

THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR STOP CLOSING ....THE LATCH IS BROKEN ...THEY HAD A RECALL ON THIS IN 2005 BUT CLAIM IT'S CLOSE NOW WHAT CAN I DO?

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 27, 201798,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY XL. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED AND FAILED TO PROPERLY DISPLAY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. THE LACK OF FUEL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 9, 2016138,000 milesWI

WHEN THE DRIVER SLID ON ICE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER WAS INJURED

Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2016155,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY XL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 4, 2016MN

MY VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY AND A LOUD SHATTERING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE HOUSE AND WENT OUTSIDE TO LOOK AT WHAT IT WAS AND NOTICED THAT MY BACK WINDOW OF MY VEHICLE WAS IN A MILLION PIECES ON THE GROUND AND ALL OVER MY VEHICLE AND IN MY CAR SEATS FOR MY CHILDREN. THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE FRONT CONTROL QUITE WORKING A WEEK AGO AND THE RIGHT BACK DOOR WILL NOT LATCH.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 19, 2016104,000 milesTX

THE REAR GLASS ON THE LIFT GATE COMPLETELY SHATTERED/EXPLODED WHILE IN GARAGE. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 26, 2016163,261 milesGA

THE FUEL INLET SEAL ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK HAD SEPARATED CAUSING A SMELL OF FUEL AND ALLOWING MATTER TO ENTER THE FUEL TANK FROM THE TOP...POSSIBLY CAUSING THE PREMATURE FAILING OF THE FUEL PUMP. WE UNDERSTAND GMC HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE TO 150,000 MILES. OUR VEHICLE HAD OVER 155,000 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURED BUT WE NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM GMC OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. HAD WE RECEIVED THIS NOTIFICATION WE WOULD HAVE TAKEN IN THE VEHICLE FOR AN IMMEDIATE REPAIR. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND WE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW FUEL TANK (AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY TOP SEAL) AND FUEL PUMP...COSTING US ALMOST $1,700. WE HAVE A COPY OF THE REPAIR BILL BUT I AM UNABLE TO SCAN AND UPLOAD IT HERE AT THIS TIME... I AM IN THE MILITARY AND WILL BE MOVING TO KOREA IN APRIL, 2016

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 16, 2016140,000 milesIN

I HAD BEEN DRIVING AND PULLED INTO A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE BEING CLOSE TO A GAS STATION I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT WHEN GETTING BACK IN MY VEHICLE AFTER RETRIEVING MY FOOD I NOW SMELLED THE GASOLINE INSIDE MY VEHICLE STILL THOUGHT NOTHING THAT MAYBE THE FUMES WERE JUST LINGERING UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE SMELL WAS STRONGER SO STRONG THAT MY CHILD WITH ASTHMA IMMEDIATELY HAD TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE SO BEING CAUTIOUS AS ANYONE I HAD MY HUSBAND TAKE A LOOK HE SMELLED THE GASOLINE BUT COULDN'T FIND A LEAK SO HE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC WHO THEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND REMOVED THE TANK AND REPLACED IT WITH A USED TANK AND WHATEVER PART WAS NEEDED TO FIX THE ISSUE SO SINCE THEN I HAVE NOT SMELLED ANYMORE GASOLINE BUT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REFUSES TO GO OFF NOT TO MENTION I RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF RECALL ON MY EXACT YEAR AND MAKE OF VEHICLE AND THAT I COULD SEND IN A CLAIM TO GET BACK THE $500 I PUT INTO FIXING THE VEHICLE THINKING IT WAS NOW SAFE FOR MY FAMILY SO I PAID TO FIX THE PROBLEM ONLY MY NEW TANK IS USED SO I'M GUESSING I'LL BE HAVING THIS ISSUE AGAIN AT SOME POINT WHICH IS VERY SCARY CONSIDERING I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE PLUS I'M OUT THE $500 STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX AGAIN SHOULD THE PROBLEM ARISE AND I DIDN'T KEEP THE RECEIPT FROM MY MECHANIC THINKING PROBLEM SOLVED I PUT IT ASIDE IT THREW IT AWAY SO I'M JUST CURIOUS IS

Suspension
Filed Jan 13, 2016140,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR END ABNORMALLY ROSE HIGHER FROM THE GROUND. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING, THE REAR LOWERED NEAR TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT AT TIMES ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS HIGHER THAN THE OTHER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Dec 24, 201512,232 milesNJ

MY CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHEN I AM EITHER TURNING OR SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, TURN THE KEY OFF THEN ON AGAIN AND IT STARTS LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. THE ENGINE DOESN'T SHOW ANY WARNING LIGHTS IT JUST SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW ABOUT 6 TIMES. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, BUT IF I AM GIVEN AN IDEA OF WHAT TO LOOK FOR I CAN TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO IS VERY QUALIFIED AND DID REPLACE A SENSOR THAT WENT BAD. PLEASE HELP

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 21, 2015196,000 milesAZ

I WAS IN A MVA JULY 22, 2015 I WAS TBONED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE WENT HEADON WITH A LIGHT POLE AND MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL IN THE TRUCK SINCE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK. IT WAS AN AS IS WITH NO WARRANTY AND I WASNT GIVEN ANY KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEMS OR RECALLS. I SUFFERED EXTENSIVE INJURIES TO MY BODY AND MY TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS $10000 IN DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 1, 2015104,506 milesTX

MECHANIC SAID FUEL RAIL RUPTURED DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND LEAKED GASOLINE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE INJURING OCCUPANTS. REPAIRS COST 1400DOLLARS

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 30, 2015182,000 milesNY

THE REAR DOOR CLOSURE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLUNG OPEN UPON ENTERING THE ON RAMP FOR THE HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE NOW HAS TWO DOORS THAT WILL NOT LATCH, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE STATING THAT THE REPAIR FOR THE RECALL ALREADY TOOK PLACE, BUT HAS NOT... *TR

20 of 228 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2006109520Routine
2004187160Routine
2003 — this page228331Fatalities reported
200270330Routine

Compare every Envoy XL year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 27, 2005. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.