RoadVitals

2003 GMC Envoy Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
37
Latest May 11, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 393 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
29
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
30

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 GMC Envoy submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 37 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 37, in the owner's own words

AirbagsBody & structure
Filed May 11, 2020

MY WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT AND THE BACK DOOR FLEW OPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE OTHER BACK DOOR IS NOT CLICKING SHUT AND THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324152
Incident
Apr 23, 2020
Mileage
189,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Dec 17, 2019
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER DASH SOMEWHERE WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING TURNED ON.

NHTSA ID
11289684
Incident
Dec 17, 2019
Mileage
173,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesSeat belts
Filed Nov 30, 2019
Crash reported

MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING DOWN S/B ON RT 313 @ RT 290 MARYLAND. HE HIT A DEER AND ROLLED MY ENVOY AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. MY SON WAS IN FRONT PASSAGER SET WITH A SET BELT ON AND WHEN THE ENVOY ROLLED HIS SET BELT DID NOT HOLD HIM ON. MY SPOUSE TOLD ME THE ANIT-LOCK BREAKS DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN HE SLAM ON THE BREAKS .

NHTSA ID
11283031
Incident
Nov 30, 2019
Mileage
40 mi
Airbags
Filed May 11, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000.

NHTSA ID
11093358
Incident
Apr 20, 2018
Mileage
300,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed May 6, 2018

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. CAN NOT OPEN REAR PASSENGER DOOR FROM INSIDE ALL 4 CIGERETT LIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. DRIVERS WINDOW STICKS GOING UP AND DOWN.

NHTSA ID
11092082
Incident
Apr 4, 1920
Airbags
Filed Feb 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10837741
Incident
Feb 20, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 26, 2015
Crash reported4 injuries reported

DRIVING IN THE SNOW,BACK PASSENGER SIDE SLID RIGHT,LOST CONTROL HIT A TREE.

NHTSA ID
10816235
Incident
Dec 19, 2015
Mileage
146,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 26, 2015
Crash reported

FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY,DRIVING IN SNOW SLID AN HIT A TREE WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
10816234
Incident
Dec 19, 2015
Mileage
145,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 24, 2015

I HAVE NO PROBLEM , BUT IN THE PAST I READ IN MY LOCAL PRESS THAT MY ENVOY WAS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE OF FALLTY AIRBAGS. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE ,AS I CONTUEING TO READ MANY OF GMC CARS ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10785816
Incident
Jun 11, 2015
AirbagsElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 28, 2015

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10702372
Incident
Feb 14, 2015
Mileage
198,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 11, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND LEFT SHOULDER WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,325.

NHTSA ID
10682693
Incident
Feb 10, 2015
Mileage
189,325 mi
AirbagsSeat beltsSteering
Filed Dec 4, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported

ENTERING STRAIGHT STRETCH OF 2 LANE HWY.,I SWERVED TO MISS OBJECT IN MY LANE AND PART OF ADJACENT LANE. I COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN UP VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND STRUCK A TREE. THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. MY DOOR WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE CUT OFF TO FREE MYSELF. THE ENVOY WAS TOTALED. MY WIFE'S HARNESS DID NOT HOLD AND SHE WAS FACING THE REAR BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. THE SIDE AIR BAGS AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED WITH NEW TIRES AND BRAKES. I WAS LIFE FLIGHTED, AND MY WIFE WAS CARRIED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE WE SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10662196
Incident
Nov 18, 2007
Mileage
62,037 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 21, 2014
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN I WENT THREW A YELLOW LIGHT WHEN A OLDER LADY TURN IN FRONT OF ME, I HIT HER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BETWEEN THE FRONT N BACK DR, , PUSHING N ROLLING N TOTALING HER SMALL SUV. SHE WAS NOT SERIOUS HURT. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY ENVOY WAS STILL DRIVEABLE . I TOOK MY ENVOY TO MY LOCAL GMC DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIND PROB WHY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF, THEY OR I CALLED A REP FOR GMC, TO COME TO SIOUX FALLS TO INVESTIGATE AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE REASON THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY WAS BECAUSE I WASN'T GOING FAST ENOUGH FOR IMPACT FOR DEPLOY. I THINK THAT IS BUNCH OF BULL. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME ,IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO .I HEAR THAT A PERSON CAN RECEIVE CASH FROM GMC IF A PERSON S AIRBAGS DON'T GO OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615166
Incident
Jun 4, 2012
Mileage
90,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 19, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE ENVOY AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN A DRUNK DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC, CAUSING EVERYONE TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES, AND MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME BEFORE REAR-ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CAR IS TOTALED BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *JS

NHTSA ID
10592465
Incident
Apr 14, 2014
Mileage
153,362 mi
AirbagsBrakesVisibility
Filed May 18, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported2 deaths reported

DRIVING AT APPROX. 2:30 PM IN INTERMITTENTLY RAINY CONDITIONS- I SUDDENLY FOUND MYSELF UNABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE AND HAD TROUBLE SEEING MY SURROUNDINGS EVEN THOUGH I HAD NEW RAIN-X WIPERS ON. WHILE I APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT WORK AS EFFECTIVELY AS THEY SHOULD. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER THE FIRST AND SECOND IMPACT (MULTIPLE VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED)- NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE AND STILL THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. RESULTED IN TWO FATALITIES IN ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE I SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY, FACIAL FRACTURES THAT REQUIRED SURGERY, AND A BROKEN COLLAR BONE FROM THE SEAT BELT THAT I COULD NOT AFFORD THE MEDICAL INTERVENTION REQUIRED FOR REPAIR. *JS

NHTSA ID
10592321
Incident
Dec 10, 2012
Airbags
Filed Jan 21, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE ARMS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10560852
Incident
Jan 16, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Dec 8, 2013
Fire reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555218
Incident
Dec 7, 2013
Mileage
146,474 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 4, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, HE SLIGHTLY CRASHED INTO A CURB AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER IN A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND LOWER BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10554787
Incident
Nov 25, 2013
Airbags
Filed Aug 26, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY HUSBAND FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL ON HIS WAY TO WORK AND HIT SEVERAL TREES. THE CAR IS TOTALED BUT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS 100% MY HUSBANDS FAULT BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10281810
Incident
Aug 25, 2009
Mileage
135,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 17, 2009
Crash reported

ACCIDENT ON 2/17/2009 FRONT CRASH TO OTHER VEHICLE AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY HOOD DAMAGE, WINDSHIELD DAMAGE, ALL FRONT DAMAGE, DOORS COULD NOT OPEN RADIATOR DAMAGE, ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10259161
Incident
Feb 17, 2009
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 21, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION ON, THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG MODULE. UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10255855
Incident
Jan 20, 2009
Mileage
78,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 27, 2008

2003 GMC ENVOY 55,000 MILES AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. IS THIS COVERED UNDER A FEDERAL LAW REQUIRING AND EXTENDED WARRANTY? *TR

NHTSA ID
10235928
Incident
Jul 10, 2008
Mileage
55,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 21, 2008
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT MADE AN ABRUPT LEFT TURN AND HIS VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE. DURING THE ROLLOVER, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000.

NHTSA ID
10228532
Incident
May 19, 2008
Mileage
82,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 15, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DRIVE INTO A DITCH. THERE WAS WHITE POWDER ON THE STEERING WHEEL; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,318.

NHTSA ID
10214922
Incident
Jan 14, 2008
Mileage
50,318 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Sep 6, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING 19 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER DURING THE CRASH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, AND MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29,000.

NHTSA ID
10202039
Incident
Feb 3, 2007
Mileage
29,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .