VehicleVerdict

2004 GMC Envoy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 483 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 11.8 times the median Envoy year — the 2004 model ranks #4 of 15 Envoy years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 39 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 168 reports (35% of the total).

483

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

4

Investigations

34

Crash-involved

19

Fires reported

39

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Envoy years?

Envoy NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted682 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 24 complaints1999: 13 complaints2000: 41 complaints2001: 10 complaints2002: 626 complaints2003: 510 complaints2004: 483 complaints2005: 682 complaints2006: 469 complaints2007: 285 complaints2008: 102 complaints2009: 25 complaints
Envoy NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Envoy years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 GMC Envoy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System16835%
Fuel System6914%
Lighting418%
Engine357%
Airbags306%
Visibility & Wipers204%
Body & Structure184%
Speed Control163%
Other153%
Transmission153%
Brakes143%
Seat Belts102%
Latches & Locks71%
Steering61%
Tires & Wheels61%
Seats61%
Suspension51%
Trailer Hitch10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2004 GMC Envoy have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E014000LightingFebruary 26, 2007 · 308 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

05V198000LightingMay 5, 2005 · 286,478 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE SEAT HEATER. THE VEHICLE PARKED AND TURNED OFF. IT WAS PARKED IN A HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS IN SCHOOL. WE CONTACTED GMC, BUT THEY SAID IT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WENT WRONG FOR IT TO JUST CATCH FIRE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 6, 2019 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 55 MPH. ENGINE LOSS POWER, GAS PEDAL LOST RESISTANCE AND WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD. VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGINE WAS STALLED AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ONE AND OFF. ENGINE STARTED TO HAVE WHITE SMOKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 22, 2015 · fire

“2004 GMC ENVOY HEADLIGHTS WOULD PERIODICALLY DIMM AND GO OFF DURING BREAKING. WITHOUT WARNING HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITH NO INDICATION. REPAIR AT GMC DEALER COST $130 FOR A "HDM RELAY". VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE AS NO FUSES FAILED, NO LAMPS FAILED, BUT A HIDDEN COMPONENT FAILED WHICH CAUSED ME TO GO OFF A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 25, 2006 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER MOTORIST SAW SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE AND GOT VEHICLE STOPPED ON SIDE OF ROAD AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CALLED FIRE DEPT AND POLICE. FIRE SPREAD THROUGH THE HEARER BOX INTO THE VEHICLE AND ACROSS DASH UNTIL IT BEGAN BURNING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 29, 2013 · fire

“I WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON RT 251 FROM PERU TO MENDOTA IL WHEN IT BEGAN RAINING AND HAILING VERY HARD. 251 IS FULL OF POT HOLES. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 M.P.H. I HIT A POT HOLE AND MY CAR STARTED TO HYDROPLAN. I WENT INTO THE SOUTHBOUND LANE AND THEN INTO DITCH HEAD ON....I HIT THE DITCHES WALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 20, 2009 · crash

2004 GMC Envoy — common questions

Is the 2004 GMC Envoy reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 483 complaints put the 2004 model at #4 of 15 Envoy years. It is one of the Envoy years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Envoy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (168 complaints), fuel system (69 complaints), lighting (41 complaints).

Does the 2004 GMC Envoy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 GMC Envoy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 GMC Envoy under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Envoy years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Envoy years to avoid are 2005, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among Envoy years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.