RoadVitals

2003 GMC Envoy Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting 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.
25
Latest May 27, 2024
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.
6%
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. 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. 25 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 exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed May 27, 2024

ISSUE: Hazard Warning/Turn Signal Flasher Module Failure. DESCRIPTION: Right front and rear turn signal and right front and rear hazard warning not working outside or inside vehicle. Replaced burned out right front turn signal/hazard. Replaced right rear turn signal/hazard due to corrosion on base of bulb. Looked at fixtures when replacing and all appeared good but right turn signals and right hazard warnings still not operational outside or inside vehicle. AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION: Yes, upon request. RISK/DANGER: Cannot use right blinker or hazard warning flashers to notify approaching or oncoming vehicles of right turn or hazard which could cause other vehicles to crash into stopped or slowing vehichle. CONFIRMED: No. INSPECTED: Not by anyone other than myself [XXX] , daughter of [XXX] owner). ANY KIND OF WARNING & WHEN IT BEGAN: No warning or symptoms really, just didn't work one minute, then worked momentarily and then didn't work and has not worked since. Was taking vehicle in for required State inspection on when the above described issue occurred, so went back home so it would not fail inspection. Occurred during daytime hours. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11590869
Incident
May 23, 2024
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11515670
Incident
Apr 5, 2012
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Sep 17, 2021

Back door latches sticking/very hard to open and at times won’t open at all. Visibility from wipers is very limited and not good. Rear exterior lights at times flicker and bulbs come loose at times

NHTSA ID
11433293
Incident
Aug 1, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 5, 2020

HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME. HIGH BEAMS WORK, VEHICLE RUNS, HAS ALL POWERS. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I LEFT THE HOUSE, WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED WHEN IT BEGAN TO TURN INTO EARLY EVENING.

NHTSA ID
11362916
Incident
Oct 4, 2020
Mileage
148,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 23, 2020

WHEN TRAILER IS CONNECTED TO THE 7 WAY TO BOX TRAILER CONNECTION TRAILER TAIL LAMPS DO NOT LIGHT CORRECTLY. BRAKE AND LEFT TURN SIGNAL LAMPS WORK PROPERLY. THE RIGHT TURN TRAILER LAMP IS PARTIALLY LIT WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS NOT ENGAGED. WHEN RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS START FLASHING, BRAKE LIGHTS WORK NORMAL. THIS TURN SIGNAL ISSUE APPLY ONLY WHEN TRAILER ELECTRIC CIRCUIT IS PLUNGED IN TO THE TRAILER CIRCUIT. MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE FLASHER UNIT FOR THE 2003 ENVOY VEHICLE TURN SIGNALS. IT APPEARS THE TRAILER CIRCUIT HAS A SIMILAR ISSUE. BOTH THE VEHICLE AND TRAILER WORK OFF THE SAME FLASHER MODULE. SEE RECALL 05V198000. I PLAN TO REPLACE THE FLASHER UNIT TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. IF YOU NEVER TOWED A TRAILER THIS ISSUE WOULD NOT BE DISCOVERED. WHEN TOWING A TRAILER DRIVER COULD BECOME CONFUSED WHEN YOUR MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THIS POTENTIALLY COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TRAILER USED WAS A 5X10 FOOT SINGLE AXLE BOX TRAILER WITH FOUR WIRE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. I HAD NO ISSUES WHEN TOWED WITH A DIFFERENT MAKE OF TRUCK. I DID REPLACED BOTH TRAILER TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND ISSUE DID NOT CHANGE.

NHTSA ID
11301470
Incident
Dec 27, 2019
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 8, 2019

NO DAMAGE TO TURN SIGNAL WHEN I TURN ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T WORK SOMETIMES I CAN MOVE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WILL COME ON FOR SECOND OTHER TIMES NOTHING HAVE TO TRY TO TURN OFF AND ON SOMETIMES WORKS SOMETIMES DOESN'T CAN NOT GET A GOOD REASON WHY WON'T WORK. HAVE AUTOMOTIVE EXPERIENCE AT TROUBLE SHOOTING. ALSO NONSAFETY ISSUE CRUSE CONTROL ON BLINKER ON SAME SWITCH INTERMITTENT WORKING

NHTSA ID
11267125
Incident
Sep 3, 2019
Mileage
136,557 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 12, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11119496
Incident
Aug 10, 2018
Mileage
154,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 12, 2018

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID
11101469
Incident
Aug 15, 2017
Mileage
70,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 20, 2017

THE STANDARD HEADLAMPS INCONSISTENTLY AND OFTEN SHUT OFF. THE BRIGHT LAMPS REMAIN WORKING, THANK GOODNESS. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN IN MOTION, OR RIGHT WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON. WEATHER DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR.

NHTSA ID
11035255
Incident
Jul 10, 2017
Mileage
135,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE FOUR-WAY HAZARD INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V198000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10947594
Incident
Jan 18, 2017
Mileage
125,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 18, 2016

TL* 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 *BF UPDATED 03/09/17.*JB

NHTSA ID
10896829
Incident
Aug 18, 2016
Mileage
144,000 mi
Interior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed May 2, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO EXIT, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS BLINKED ON AND OFF AND FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,343. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10862639
Incident
Oct 30, 2015
Mileage
188,343 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AND UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

NHTSA ID
10750156
Incident
Aug 8, 2015
Mileage
192,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 25, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V527000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10701660
Incident
Mar 10, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 24, 2012

HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING (LOW BEAMS ONLY) WHILE DRIVING CAR AT NIGHT. HIGH BEAMS CONTINUE TO WORK AFTER OUTAGE. OCCURS AT ALL HEADLIGHT SETTINGS, ALMOST EVERY TIME THE HEADLIGHTS ARE USED AND DOES NOT RESOLVE ITSELF UPON TURNING CAR ON/OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482154
Incident
Oct 24, 2012
Mileage
108,234 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 18, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HIGH BEAM EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10458909
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 13, 2011

2003 ENVOY DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT BULBS KEEP BURNING OUT . WIRES ARE BURNT AND TERMINAL HAS MELTED. THIS PAST WEEK BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER THEY SAID THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET BUT MY VEHICLE WASN'T ONE OF THE OF THE 308 OTHERS THAT WERE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10400725
Incident
Apr 28, 2011
Mileage
150,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 24, 2011

RIDING ON FREEWAY AND HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OFF IN DARK AREA. CUT ON FOG LAMPS AND HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER COUPLE MILES OF TRAVEL. THEY HAVE NOT WENT OFF YET AGAIN BUT WOULD BE DANGEROUS ON CURVE ROAD. PROBLEM MAYBE IN TURN SIGNAL CONTROL. CRUISE WENT OUT DAY BEFORE AND CAME BACK. ALL LOCATED IN SAME SWITCH. CALLED GMC AND TOLD THEM OF PROBLEM. HAVE NOT WENT OFF AGAIN YET. TALKED TO DEALER AND THEY WANT TO SEE IT WITH PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10384258
Incident
Feb 19, 2011
Mileage
52,000 mi
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Feb 23, 2010

THROAT OF GAS TANK LEAKING ON A 2003 ENVOY. REVIEWING INTERNET, FOUND MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE ENVOY'S AND STATED IN 2007 THAT NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING. MECHANIC STATED VERY UNUSUAL TO LEAK IN THAT SPOT. ALSO, HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEAD LIGHT SOCKETS DUE TO BURNING UP. HAVE TALKED TO MANY ENVOY OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN BULB BURNS OUT AND THE RECOMMENDED BULB IS PUT IN PLACE THE SOCKET AND WIRING GETS SO HOT THAT THE SOCKET IS CHARRED AND IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. WIRES HAVE TO BE CUT AND A NEW SOCKET WIRED IN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10313459
Incident
Feb 23, 2010
Mileage
118,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 19, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT FAIL WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,087 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID
10238919
Incident
Jan 15, 2008
Mileage
127,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+8 more
Filed Mar 12, 2007

2003 GMC ENVOY WITH A LIST OF PROBLEMS **NAR**CC THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR A KNOCKING AND PINGING IN THE ENGINE ON COLD STARTS AND FELT A HESITATION WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO GEAR. AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS, IT WAS FINALLY DISCOVERED THE ENGINE KNOCK WAS DUE TO SHORTER PISTONS IN THE RE-DESIGNED ENGINE AND THE HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING REQUIRED REPROGRAMMING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE ENGINE KNOCK, BECAUSE IT COULD BE MORE TROUBLE TAKING THE ENGINE APART. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE STALLED DUE TO THE BATTERY DYING. FROM APRIL 2004 TO OCTOBER 2004 THE BATTERY FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD TO BE RE-CHARGED. DURING THAT SAME TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND EACH TIME IT HAPPENED, THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO REPROGRAM THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THE RADIO WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WHICH PRIMARILY CONSISTED OF STATIC. THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER CONTROL KNOBS AS WELL AS THE RADIO KNOBS WORE OUT. THE FRONT CENTER CONSOLE WAS LOOSE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON BECAUSE THE THIRD STOP LIGHT THAT'S ON THE TOP OF THE LIFTGATE MALFUNCTIONED. THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE STOP LIGHT. THE COOLING FAN BROKE, THE BRAKES AND THE LEFT FRONT HEAD LAMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL AND SIGNAL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE LUG NUT BROKE WHILE A REPLACEMENT TIRE WAS BEING MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT STABILIZER LINKAGE WAS REPLACED. THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUEL LINES AND A SEAL ON THE TANK DUE TO A LEAK. THE SEAT BELT WAS DESIGNED POORLY AND THE BELT CUTS INTO THE CONSUMERS NECK. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DIDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST 2 YEARS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10185814
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 8, 2005

RECALL 2003 GMC ENVOY POTENTIAL TAIL LAMP FAILURE.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE AND SHE HAS BEEN WAITING SINCE FEBURARY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10129116
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Exterior lighting
Filed May 12, 2005

CONSUMER STATES: HAVE A RECALL FOR TAIL LAMPS/STOP LAMPS BOTTOM LIGHTS , THEY WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE TOP LAMPS ARE BAD ALSO. IT WAS INTERMITTENT SOMETIMES THE TOP LAMP WOULD WORK AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD NOT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10120778
Incident
Aug 9, 2004
Mileage
43,663 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 31, 2005

DRIVER APPLIED THE TURN SIGNAL AND THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WOULD COME AND OFF ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117222
Incident
Mar 31, 2005
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Oct 28, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONING. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COULD HEAR THE AIR COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AIR TIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10098980
Incident
Oct 28, 2004

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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