VehicleVerdict

2005 GMC Envoy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 682 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 16.6 times the median Envoy year — the 2005 model ranks #1 of 15 Envoy years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 5 deaths and 56 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 236 reports (35% of the total).

682

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

46

Crash-involved

20

Fires reported

56

Injuries

5

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Envoy years?

Envoy NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Envoy years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 GMC Envoy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System23635%
Electrical System18627%
Lighting507%
Engine416%
Airbags284%
Speed Control223%
Transmission183%
Visibility & Wipers172%
Body & Structure172%
Brakes162%
Other142%
Steering112%
Suspension71%
Seats51%
Latches & Locks51%
Tires & Wheels41%
Seat Belts41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2005 GMC Envoy have recalls?

3 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.

06V417000AirbagsOctober 31, 2006 · 794 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

05V035000Visibility & WipersFebruary 3, 2005 · 17,815 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHEN I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR IT WOULDN'T START SO I TOOK THE KEY AND MY DAD MY BE I NEED A JUMP HE SAID NO IF THAT WAS THE CASE THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER. I WENT BACK OUT TO TRY IT AGAIN BUT STILL NOTHING SO I BEGAN TO TURN THE KEY BACK AND FOURTH AND EVENTUALLY IT STARED. A FEW MINUTES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 14, 2014 · fire

“DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MODULE BECAME INOPERABLE. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY A LOT OF SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE PANEL CAUSING US TO PULL OVER, OPEN THE DOOR AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. IT NEVER STARTED FIRE BUT HEAVY SMOKE CAME OUT FOR ABOUT 10 MINS AND LEFT A STRONG ELECTRICAL SMOKE ODOR FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2014 · fire

“FUEL GAUGE JUST STOPPED WORKING. IS ALWAYS ON E. EVEN WHEN I FILL IT UP.. GAS LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON AND DINGING. I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM IN ENVOYS AND I FEEL GMC SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. MILEAGE RANGE IS HUGE SO IT IS HARD TO TRAVEL AND KNOW WHEN TO GET GAS. ESPECIALLY ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 10, 2010

“I HAD THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I DID NOT SEE ANY BREAKL LIGHTS AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME PUSHING THE OTHER CARS TO HIT EACH OTHER. MY FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BAD ENOUGH TO DAMAGE THE RADIATOR AND DESTROY MY AC UNIT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WAS DAMAGED. IT SENT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 22, 2016 · crash

“COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY WIFE WAS IN HER 2005 GMC ENVOY WHEN IT WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S TIRE, AND WAS DRIVEN INTO A CONCRETE POWER POLE AT 40 MPH HEAD ON. THE POWER LINES WERE KNOCKED DOWN. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED, AND HER HEAD HIT THE STEERING, CAUSING A BUMP ON THE HEAD, A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 25, 2005 · crash

2005 GMC Envoy — common questions

Is the 2005 GMC Envoy reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 682 complaints put the 2005 model at #1 of 15 Envoy years. It is one of the Envoy years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Envoy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (236 complaints), electrical system (186 complaints), lighting (50 complaints).

Does the 2005 GMC Envoy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 GMC Envoy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 GMC Envoy under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.