RoadVitals

2005 GMC Envoy Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
488
Latest Jan 28, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
41
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Jan 17, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 488 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 GMC Envoy. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 488 · page 1 of 20

ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 28, 2026

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
Airbags
Filed Mar 28, 2025
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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
AirbagsElectricalVisibility
Filed Jul 12, 2024

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
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 2024
Fire reported

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
Electrical
Filed Jan 2, 2024

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
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 3, 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
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 2023
Fire reported

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
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 14, 2022
Fire reported

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
Airbags
Filed May 16, 2022

My brother was driving down the street, no bumps no potholes, both side airbags just deployed for no reason at all.

NHTSA ID
11464854
Incident
May 15, 2022
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 1, 2022

All the gages have stopped working correctly. They do not report proper information to driver . The electrical wiring to the rear wiper, license plate lights and rear hatch stopped working. The most dangerous thing is the ABS brake system dash lights and bell comes on every time the car is driven and the brake pedal goes to the floor when trying to stop.

NHTSA ID
11459277
Incident
Oct 12, 2021
Steering
Filed Feb 24, 2022

The contact's grandmother owns a 2005 GMC Envoy XL. The contact stated that his grandmother was driving 45 MPH and while slowing down to take a curve, the steering became very firm. She was able to safely pull off the road and turn off the vehicle. The contact said she heard a whining sound coming from the power steering pump and then observed the power steering fluid in the engine compartment and power steering fluid on the road. The contact stated that she was unaware of any warning lights. The contact took the vehicle to a local service station and filled the power steering pump reservoir and drove the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the power steering fluid was still leaking from the vehicle. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V455000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

NHTSA ID
11453882
Incident
Nov 8, 2021
Mileage
155,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 23, 2022
Crash reported

I just want to add to my recent complaint made December 2021 file number 11444000 when our left side brake failed to disengage completely causing the vehicle to vear left into 2 traffic light poles. recently have the front end rebuilt and noticed the seat belts needs to be replaced or rebuilt but the passenger side belt is retracted so hard I cant get it off the seat, it is crushing the seat basically and I see other complaints of this happening and almost suffocating the passenger. I was lucky my wife was not with or the belt would have pinned her in, the driver belt is stuck as it was when i removed it.

NHTSA ID
11453586
Incident
Dec 4, 2021
Airbags
Filed Dec 16, 2021
Crash reported

I purchased my envoy from a used car lot with no warning lights and no apparent safety concerns about 2 yrs ago other then what appeared to be a replaced front bumper cover and the vehicle was repainted the same color white, since then the brakes have intermittently not disengaged on one side or the other I believe it's the front brakes and seems to be worse after a longer drives and after bleeding the system the pedal would be firm and next day spongy feeling and going down rather far. Air bags did not deploy apon impact. It is available for inspiration although I am attempting to repair it after my accident the brakes are still as they were. I have tried both on as well as performance pads and rotors booster check valve and fluid replacement with no change. I was coming back from my daughter's dentist appointment it is 20 minutes away the roads were very slick with snow and sleet, I got off the hwy and coming through town I braked to slow from 45 to 35mph before crossing the intersection when I let off the brake the left side stayed engaged enough to cause the vehicle to pull to the left and I couldn't steer straight because of the snow and was forced to hit 2 traffic light posts in the center median. Usually on dry roads I can tap the pedal and keep it straight until the brakes released. I first noticed it changing pads when I 1st purchased it that the front tires spin harder while jaked up and when it continued I figured it was alignment or steering components worn but even after parts replaced a 2 alignments nothing changed, after my last alignment the technician said the brakes need to be bled and I told him the issue he was unsure the cause. I did not have any air bags deploy in this accident and the sensors were clearly effected as the bumper caved in the center. The vehicle also has had uneven ride height due to independent sensors in the rear. The vehicle now has a service airbag and service brakes light. Other owners have similar issues with their envoys

NHTSA ID
11444000
Incident
Dec 7, 2021
Body & structureDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Jul 1, 2021
Crash reported2 injuries reported

This suv made a loud sound, began to drift, in the rear, at hwy speeds before it tipped over and began to roll, ejecting my two minor sons from the passenger cab before it eventually landed on its side. the roof was molded in a triangular shape, preventing it from resting on the roof as it tilted back onto inside and remains after the last roll The triangular shape was created in the metal after the stabilizing structures gave way almost immediately providing possibly no protection to the patrons inside the carrier cab of suv. demonstrating its inability protect its occupants.

NHTSA ID
11423170
Incident
Jun 29, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 13, 2021

DIM LIGHTS ARE FLICKERING NOT WANTING TO STAY ON

NHTSA ID
11396094
Incident
Oct 29, 2020
Electrical
Filed Jul 19, 2020

WHILE DRIVING IN A 40 MPH ZONE I GLANCED AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT READ 70 MPH! I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BEFORE I REALIZED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATION WAS INACCURATE. UPON COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED 40 MPH. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL OPERATION. SINCE THEN I HAVE NOTICED THE GAUGE "STICKING" WHEN LETTING OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS CREATING AN UN-SAFE CONDITION FOR MYSELF AS WELL AS THE OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE SPEED INDICATION IS TRULY ACCURATE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS OTHER GM MODELS MADE DURING THIS TIME FRAME. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS.

NHTSA ID
11340209
Incident
Jul 19, 2020
Mileage
79,462 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11330395
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
Body & structure
Filed May 12, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC ENVOY XL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DOOR UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY AND BECAME AJAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR KNOB ACTUATED UP AND DOWN CONTINUALLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND AT SOME POINT EACH DOOR SWUNG OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED HOWEVER, THE DOOR CHIME REMAINED AUDIBLE CONTINUALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OR WHILE REVERSING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE AFFECTED BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE WAS THE REAR DOOR AND HATCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V599000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE YEARS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WERE 2006-2007. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FERMAN BUICK GMC - WESLEY CHAPEL (24252 FL-54, TAMPA, FL 33559, (813) 242-2800) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE MANUFACTURED YEAR, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT OBLIGATED TO OFFER A FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR MASTER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER INTRUSION INTO THE CIRCUIT WHICH CAUSED THE POLES TO BE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE MODEL YEAR GMC ENVOY XL SUBJECTED TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V599000 (VISIBILITY) WAS 2006-2007. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11324310
Incident
Jan 15, 2019
Filed May 11, 2020
4 injuries reported

I STARTING SMELLING A SWEET SMELL IN THE CABIN. A LEAK WAS APPARENT THAT DRIPPED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CABIN TO THE MUFFLER LATER ON TO THE PAVEMENT. THE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED ON A LINE THAT RAN TO THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. ANTI FREEZE WAS LEAKING AND I WAS GETTING REALLY SICK, NOT EVEN DR'S COULD FIGURE IT OUT. TOOK A GREAT MECHANIC CALLED [XXX] IN NATIONAL CITY, CA; AFTER SO MANY MISSED IT. THANK GOD INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11324177
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 12, 2020
1 injury reported

WHILE PROCEEDING TO TAKE A LEFT TURN AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A T INTERSECTION BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN. THIS SCARED MY WIFE TO DEATH! IT CAUSED HER TO BUMP THE CURB WITH ONE IF THE TIRES ONLY, NO ACCIDENT. THANKFULLY SHE WAS OFF WORK AND THE KIDS WERE ALREADY AT SCHOOL AND NOT WITH HER AT THE TIME! I CALLED GM IMMEDIATELY AND REPORTED THIS. AN INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED AND LASTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FINDINGS WERE CONFIDENTIAL AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE REPAIRING MY VEHICLE! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. MY WIFE SUFFERED A MINOR HEAD INJURY, SCARE OF HER LIFE NOT TO MENTION WE WERE NOT PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL, COMMUNICATIONS WERE POOR AT BEST WITH OUR CAR WORKER AT GM. SHE WAS EVEN OUT SICK FOR A WEEK, IT TOOK ME 4 DAYS FOR SOMEONE TO FINALLY TELL ME THAT. THE ENVOY IS A 2005 AND WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAS BEEN WITH OUR FAMILY EVER SINCE. LOW MILEAGE JUST TURNING 100K. VERY WELL CARED FOR. I AM FLOORED THAT GM IS NOT REPAIRING OUR BABY! I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME ONLINE. I TRULY FEEL GM IS DECEIVING THE PUBLIC TO A BIGGER PROBLEM. HENCE THE REASON THEY STATED THE FINDINGS ARE CONFIDENTIAL. I JUST WANTED OUR BABY REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
11317798
Incident
Jan 15, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 2019

MY VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED WAS ALTERED FROM CLOTH SEATS TO LEATHER BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. 3 DAYS AGO MY CAR IS SIGNALING ME TO SERVICE AIRBAG WHILE DRIVING THE CAR OR IN IDLE. SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT MEINEKE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON MY YEAR, MAKE & MODEL SUV. I CALLED GM ON 11/29/2019 AND WAS TOLD BY A SUPERVISOR NAMED ANGEL THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS BY THEIR MANUFACTURER AND THERE IS NOTHING MORE SHE CAN DO ABOUT THE MATTER. I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR LIKE THIS KNOWING THIS CAN BE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL AND HAZARDOUS.

NHTSA ID
11282890
Incident
Nov 26, 2019
Mileage
89,565 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 15, 2019

THE GAS GAUGE STAYS ON EMPTY WHEN THERE IS A FULL TANK OF GAS. THERE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER COMES ON BY ITSELF. THE RADIO PLAYS LIKE IT IS IN A TIN BOX. EVERY SO OFTEN IT WILL PLAY NORMAL. BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT IS MOVING OR IN PARK.

NHTSA ID
11232096
Incident
Jan 3, 2018
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 1, 2019

ABOUT 4 YEARS I NOTICED MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES WOULD NOT WORK AT NIGHT, FORCING ME TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON, BLINDING OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER AND HE SAID IT MAY COST $500 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I COULD NOT AFFORD THIS EXPENDITURE. I TRY TO AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT AND ONLY RECENTLY I HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND AGAIN MY LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT WORK, FORCING ME TO AGAIN DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. MY FIANC DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS FUSE/RELAY. WE LEARNED WE COULD PULL OUT THE HIGH BEAM FUSE/RELAY WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO THE LOW BEAM AND SWITCH THEM. UPON DOING SO, THE LOW BEAMS ONCE AGAIN WORKED.

NHTSA ID
11217307
Incident
May 18, 2019
Mileage
122,250 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 21, 2019

BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING; THE LIGHT BULBS WORK, BUT WHEN YOU PUSH IN THE BREAKS NEITHER BACK BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON. THE ONLY WORKING BREAK LIGHT IS THE MIDDLE TOP ONE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID
11209034
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
210,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 11, 2019

PARKED VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND WENT IN THE HOUSE. NEXT MORNING WENT TO USE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR HATCH GLASS HAD EXPLODED. GLASS EVERYWHERE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN MOVED FOR OVER 12 HOURS. HAVE CALLED TO HAVE GLASS REPLACED BUT HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES. NOW AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. MAJOR CONCERN IS IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND HAVE MY GRAND CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND GET INJURED FROM FLYING GLASS.

NHTSA ID
11206981
Incident
May 10, 2019
Mileage
91,450 mi

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