The 2005 GMC Envoy has 3 safety recalls and 488 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (184 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints488filed by owners
Crashes · fires27 · 14reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths34 · 2reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 07E014000 · Feb 26, 2007 · 308 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NO 335-1120L-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP HOUSING SHAPE DEFORMED DISTORTING THE ASSEMBLY ANGLE OF THE REFLECTOR AND INFLUENCED THE AIMING POSITION. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 06V417000 · Oct 31, 2006 · 794 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Risk: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
Fix: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
Visibility › Windshield
NHTSA recall 05V035000 · Feb 3, 2005 · 17,815 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.
Risk: IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2005 GMC Envoy 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.1%
2005 GMC Envoy XL 4-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Envoy 2WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Envoy 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Envoy 2WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Envoy XL 2WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Envoy XL 2WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Envoy XL 4WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Envoy 4WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Envoy XL 4WD
14mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Ignition › Switch
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 1, 2026Electrical system 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 Wouldnât start, wouldnât turn over or anything. Had the ignition replaced. Ran fine for one week. 4) Currently wonât start. Broke down.
Feb 11, 2025 · 270,000 miles · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags 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…
Jun 1, 2024Air bags 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.
Jul 12, 2023 · fireElectrical system 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.
Feb 10, 2023Electrical system 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.
Jun 2, 2023Tires › Tread/belt 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..
Apr 25, 2023 · fireElectrical system 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…
Nov 21, 2021 · fireElectrical system 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
RQ17002 · opened Apr 24, 2017 · closed Mar 29, 2021Loss 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…
DP10001 · opened Jan 7, 2010 · closed May 23, 2011Fuel 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.