10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,482 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 GMC Envoy:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #54

Apr 052012

Envoy

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the headlights ceased to operate as needed. Upon taking the vehicle to a local Pep Boys, it was diagnosed that the electrical wiring harness was burned and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the bulbs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back the local Pep Boys, who replaced the electrical wiring harness and the bulbs a second time; however, the failure persisted. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #53

Dec 172019

Envoy

  • 173,000 miles
Vehicle caught fire under dash somewhere without vehicle being turned on.

- Freeport, IL, USA

problem #52

Dec 212018

Envoy

  • 220,985 miles
The electric wiring for the windows and side mirrors will start making a clicking noise and when I put the key into the ignition and turn the key just one turn the front passenger window goes completely down and will not go back up until it is done clicking and turning the heated seats on and off. The regulator is not broke. Also the side mirrors even though they are programmed will sometimes just start moving and act like it cant move anymore and make a noise. The music and or radio will go out while its turned on, it will cut in and out and then after driving a while it wont cut in and out. For the window to just roll down it usually happens after it sat all night. Wont go back up for at least 2 minutes and you can see the door lights flicker and click.

- Elkhorn, WI, USA

problem #51

Mar 192018

Envoy

  • 217,000 miles
The dash cluster does not work correctly, all the lights turn on and doors lock while I am driving on in town or on the highway, all the gauges come on at once while driving on the streets at random times.. the rear has airbags in the suspension and and aren't working properly, I took it to the shop and they said it had 30 codes on the diagnostic machine but they couldn't find the problem

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #50

Aug 102018

Envoy

  • 154,000 miles
The lights come on by themselves and drains the battery. Two batteries have been installed. The car has had road service jump starts 3 times in 2 wks. The lights come on themselves when they'R'E off. The alternator was checked and is good. The vehicle was parked in a garage when this occurred and 1 time in a parking lot.

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #49

Aug 152017

Envoy

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the headlights failed to illuminate while driving at night. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Orocoves, PR, USA

problem #48

May 012017

Envoy

  • 114,000 miles
Car dies when driving, car wont start sometimes and hour or 2 later starts mechanic said alternator and battery are good, in parking lot and driving in the city

- Deer Park, TX, USA

problem #47

Oct 122016

Envoy

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the power window and door controls malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new power switch. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000.

- East Falmouth, MA, USA

problem #46

Aug 182016

Envoy 4WD 6-cyl

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. While the vehicle was parked and turned off, the low beam head lamps continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000...updated 10/18/16 updated 03/09/17.

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

problem #45

Aug 082010

Envoy 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,429 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. While at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. After repeated attempts, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the cylinder ignition switch was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,429. Updated 06/14/16 updated 06/30/16.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #44

May 152015

Envoy

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. While driving at 65 mph, the instrument cluster became inoperable. The contact stated that the window switches also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #43

Jun 012015

Envoy

  • 169,000 miles
I noticed a electrical burning smell while driving on a side street. The engine made an unusual noise so I pulled over, turned the car off and put on the hazard lights. While waiting for the tow truck, the car started with no key in the ignition. The car ran for a short time then stopped and attempted to restart itself about 5 times. Our mechanic took a look at it and said there had been a fire in the fuse box. I took pictures of the charred remains of the fuse box, cover and connectors. Most of the plastic connectors under the fuse box could not be removed because they had melted and were fused onto the box. He noted the fire seemed to originate from fuse 46, the headlamp driver module. For the past few years, I had been experiencing headlight and tail light issues involving bulbs that were burning out frequently or were going out then coming back on.

- Raymore, MO, USA

problem #42

Feb 142015

Envoy

  • 198,000 miles
My car started going nuts the wipers wouldnt turn off the seats wont move the doors wont lock the heaters off and hot air comes out tru ventilatos.

- Donaldson, PA, USA

problem #41

Dec 022013

Envoy 4WD 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the key failed to release from the ignition switch. The contact was able to release the key after several attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 3/24/15 updated 10/20/2015

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #40

May 052009

Envoy 6-cyl

  • 33,500 miles
I purchased my Envoy new with 243 miles & have been the sole owner. My security light goes on & off intermittently & the vehicle won't start for 10-20 minute time periods. There is no apparent pattern w/when this will occur. I have been stranded in areas that I do not feel safe, oftentimes with my young children in the vehicle. I initially took the vehicle to albert GMC, where I purchased it (no longer in service, so exact date/mileage unknown). Diagnostics returned multiple codes, all related to the security system. They recommended that I have the remote starter removed that was professionally installed 11/2008. R&R car audio removed the remote starter & ran all of the wiring to assure it was sound. I next went to automotive specialists. Service history: 11/9/10: Ran multiple diagnostics, unable to determine problem or replicate. 1/19/11: Replaced ignition lock cylinder & case, at my insistence, based on online forums. 3/11/11: Ran multiple diagnostics, unable to determine problem or replicate. 5/6/11: Replaced ignition starter switch, at my insistence, based on online forums. 9/23/11: Multiple diagnostics, unable to determine problem or replicate. 9/19/13: Replaced ignition starter switch (again), at my insistence. 11/18/13: Shop had vehicle for a week, attempting to get the problem to replicate, without luck. I have spent a good amount of $ and time/inconvenience in attempts to remedy the starting issue. At GM's direction 6 weeks ago, I took the Envoy back to a dealership, [xxx], & had to pay another diagnostic fee, which only showed that the passlock sensor was bad. I had the passlock sensor replaced 1/19/11 & experienced the starting issue again within 2 months. GM would not guarantee their part since it was not installed by an authorized dealer, even though it was a GM certified part. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #39

Jul 072014

Envoy

  • 106,000 miles
Wife mentioned the instrument cluster ( R.P.M. ) & ( voltage ) /w/ the ( check engine light ) are on. Mileage=approx :106,000 this is a G.M.C factory flaw in many Envoy built. Electrician asleep at there posts on this issue, and said others too!! other issues are minor in repair and usage dictated by age, not a recall item but listed anyway for viewing. Seat--electrical-driver side- front left facing lift bracket arm-- broke at weld.can be repaired. Center floor front console --loose " not yet investigated as to why. Rear back hatch floor carpet ruined by former owners --unknown spill ate carpeting like battery acid spill." Other then a few minor glitches in a ( note ) ( used ) vehicle...we can handle it. Note: All other systems operate as they are designed to do.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #38

Jun 182014

Envoy

  • 73,134 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that after turning off her ignition, the doors locked leaving her trapped in the car. There was no warning prior to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 73,134.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #37

Feb 112011

Envoy 4WD 6-cyl

  • 137,000 miles
The car dies for no reason it has been doing this since the first day I got the car. The car also functions like it has hydrolics for a while it will be low to the ground while I'm driving it then out of no where it would raise up I had to get the suspension done when I got it because it was old and also the key gets stuck in the ignition also if I press the unlock button it will turn on the heat this car has been a headache.

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #36

Nov 012013

Envoy 6-cyl

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the speedometer would provide erroneous readings of 120 mph and the tachometer provided an erroneous reading of zero. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000 and the approximate current mileage was 128,000.

- Sprinng City , PA, USA

problem #35

Dec 072013

Envoy 6-cyl

  • 146,474 miles
Drove to work Saturday night 12/07/2013 parked car at 7:30 pm went in to work.came out to my car at 10:00pm for break to see my car smoking the passengers heated seat turned it's self on at some point and was on fire burning the seat and my cooler that was sitting on the seat was on fire and smoke filled the car was making it hard to breath the smoke was thick and smelled toxic. Me and my fellow employees dumped snow on and under the seat from as far, away as we could till the smoke calmed down.to get the fire out.I am so grateful I was not driving or there was no person sitting on the seat at the time could of caused me to wreck myself or others.on my drive home could not use the heat due to the fumes being to strong with the windows up and heat on had to drive with no heat and windows down 40 minutes with the temps in the teens.

- Greenwood , IN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »