EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2005 GMC Envoy
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 488 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 GMC Envoy, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and exterior lighting categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 730 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2014 | 5 | 397 |
| Oct 2014 | 4 | 401 |
| Nov 2014 | 2 | 403 |
| Dec 2014 | 4 | 407 |
| Jan 2015 | 3 | 410 |
| Feb 2015 | 2 | 412 |
| Mar 2015 | 3 | 415 |
| Apr 2015 | 1 | 416 |
| May 2015 | 4 | 420 |
| Jun 2015 | 2 | 422 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 423 |
| Aug 2015 | 5 | 428 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 429 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 430 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 431 |
| Feb 2016 | 2 | 433 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 434 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 435 |
| Jun 2016 | 2 | 437 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 438 |
| Sep 2016 | 3 | 441 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 442 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 443 |
| May 2017 | 2 | 445 |
| Jul 2017 | 4 | 449 |
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 451 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 452 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 453 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 454 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 455 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 456 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 457 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 458 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 459 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 460 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 461 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 462 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 463 |
| May 2019 | 2 | 465 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 466 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 467 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 468 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 469 |
| May 2020 | 2 | 471 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 472 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 473 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 474 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 475 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 476 |
| Feb 2022 | 2 | 478 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 479 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 480 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 481 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 482 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 483 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 484 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 485 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 486 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 487 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 488 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system22634.3%
- Electrical18327.8%
- Exterior lighting456.8%
- Engine416.2%
- Airbags284.2%
- Driver assistance243.6%
- Visibility172.6%
- Brakes162.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Loss of 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.
Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
1) I just purchased the vehicle in Oct 2026 & 3 days after purchase, it broke down in Walmart parking lot due to, all the antifreeze pouring out. 2) December 2026 had to replace the front tires as they were stripped to the threads from rubbing against the fender wells. 3) January 2026 Wouldn’t start, wouldn’t turn over or anything. Had the ignition replaced. Ran fine for one week. 4) Currently won’t start. Broke down.
- NHTSA ID
- 11714041
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2026
The contact owned a 2005 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle driven by a drunk driver swerved into the front of the vehicle, causing a front collision. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact hit his face again on the steering wheel, but did not seek medical assistance. The contact's wife, who was occupying the front passenger seat and wearing a seat belt, was severely injured and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact's wife was diagnosed by a trauma surgeon. The contact's wife was diagnosed with a fractured right knee cap, right ankle bone chips and ligament damage, damaged left toes, a double bone bruise in the left knee, bruised seat belt mark. The contact's wife was hospitalized for 6 days and was admitted to a rehabilitation facility for 11 days. The contact stated that his wife was currently confined to a wheelchair. The contact's wife was currently awaiting a knee replacement. The vehicle was towed and totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11651384
- Incident
- Feb 11, 2025
- Mileage
- 270,000 mi
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 ID
- 11601561
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2024
The driver side window control caught fire, while the vehicle was sitting overnight. It was sitting by itself without reason to catch fire, but it did burn inside the driver side door.
- NHTSA ID
- 11570382
- Incident
- Jul 12, 2023
Unknown All the cluster panels quite working. RPM, Speed, Oil, Water, Gas shows always empty. Danger because have to guess my speed and never know if I have enough gas, oil, or water in my car. Also sometimes when I shut off my car I cannot get the key out of the steering column. Cannot leave my car without my keys.
- NHTSA ID
- 11563182
- Incident
- Feb 10, 2023
i was driving down hwy then all of a sudden i see n my rear view mirror that im dragging my passenger side quarter panel .. so i pulled off then took the rest of quarter panel off .. start driving again then i keep hearing the same noise .. i pulled off again & noticed that the tread on my tire had completely peeled off the tire itself.. tire still is hiolding air … i cant fathom the idea how it did this.. the body of my car rear passenger side is completely demolished..
- NHTSA ID
- 11525185
- Incident
- Jun 2, 2023
The contact owned a 2005 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH the entire dashboard illuminated and needles on gauges had begun to move independently. The contact heard an abnormal "popping" sound from the front end of the vehicle and gray smoke was emitted from under the hood, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull off of the roadway and placed the vehicle into park (P) with difficulty. The contact exited the vehicle and moved away towards the rear end. The contact stated that she noticed flames under the vehicle located at the front end. The contact stated that within 3 minutes of observing the flames under the vehicle, the entire front end became engulfed by flames. The police and fire department arrived on the scene. The contact stated that the fire department used a chemical to extinguish the flames, the contact stated that the flames had burned not only the front end and front tires but the front part of the passenger cabin including the seats. The contact stated that the highway patrol wrote a report and had been informed by the fire department that the fire appeared to have been caused by the electrical system. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- NHTSA ID
- 11519085
- Incident
- Apr 25, 2023
I purchased my vehicle in oct of 2021 in Nov 2021 is when my car started failing my car started to lose power also started smoking from the lower passenger side no warning lights came on besides the oil warning light since Nov 2021 my car has been losing power it only goes up to about 40 m.p.h I have been smelling fuel coming from some where my tail and license plate light and back driver side inside car light stopped working the engine light turns on and off the steering wheel makes the car lose a little bit of power when I turn the wheel or when I roll up and down the windows or adjust my seat my ac does not work the back ac turns on by it's self to the heater does not work when I have it turned all the way to the 5 I hear clicking knocking noises in the back passenger side of the car my fuel injectors had puddles of oil in them the car gets really hot and blows hot air the engine is always hot the seatbelt lights are constantly flashing my check engine light as of today flashes on and off and the car jumps also my car caught on fire under the hood where the O2 sensor is started smoking than caught on fire.
- NHTSA ID
- 11473932
- Incident
- Nov 21, 2021
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.