GMC ENVOY · model year

2003 GMC ENVOY

508 NHTSA complaints, 59 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003GMCENVOY carries 508 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 59 crashes, 14 fires, 51 injuries, and 9 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 ENVOY is electrical system with 54 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (36) and air bags (28). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2003 ENVOY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

508
Complaints
59
Crashes
14
Fires
51
Injuries
9
Deaths

Total Complaints

508 filings

Crashes Reported

59 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM54
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE36
AIR BAGS28
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM26
EXTERIOR LIGHTING21
STRUCTURE:BODY17
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL14
SUSPENSION13
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY11
STEERING11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9

Recalls (8)

07E01400026/02/2007

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 F

03V15100023/04/2003

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SCORE AT A RANDOM LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE PIPE AS THE RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF THE BRAKE PIPE PARTIALLY OR FULLY FRACTURED, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD IMMEDIATELY INCREASE AND FRONT B

03V25000015/07/2003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE

03V05100014/02/2003

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

02V22200009/08/2002

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

03V07500006/03/2003

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN PARK. IN AD

05V19800005/05/2005

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

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.

04V04600004/02/2004

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHER

Recent Complaints

20260202SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on several occasions, there was condensation under the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions, where it was determined that the differential needed to be repaired due to a leak coming from the axle. On several occasions, it was determined that the rear pinion seal needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the rear pinion seal was replaced on several occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,411.

Mileage: 66,411

20250706ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE

The car's gas gauge and fuel range indicator are problematic. The fuel gauge quickly drops from a higher reading, like 3/4 full, to empty. After this, the gauge and the fuel range both fluctuate while driving, making it impossible to determine the fuel level.

20250706FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel indicator bounces from Empty to full in the matter of seconds while going down the road. Also, issues with mileage range reported as the fuel indicator is fluctuating.

20250706UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Fuel indicator bounces from Empty to full in the matter of seconds while going down the road. Also, issues with mileage range reported as the fuel indicator is fluctuating.

20240919STRUCTURE:BODY

I bought a 2003 GMC Envoy 3/23/24. The main frame and sub-frame have extensive rot, and is unsafe to drive. It is available to inspect. They disguised frame damage and sold me an unsafe vehicle. I brought the car in to have the ac repaired in August 2024 and when they put it up on the lift that's when they saw the damage. This was Rogers Automotive in Westport MA. They told me at that time that it is unsafe to drive. It has not been inspected by any other parties at this time. We had no idea it was damaged, Rogers said it was sprayed to try to hide the damage.

20240527EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ISSUE: Hazard Warning/Turn Signal Flasher Module Failure. DESCRIPTION: Right front and rear turn signal and right front and rear hazard warning not working outside or inside vehicle. Replaced burned out right front turn signal/hazard. Replaced right rear turn signal/hazard due to corrosion on base of bulb. Looked at fixtures when replacing and all appeared good but right turn signals and right hazard warnings still not operational outside or inside vehicle. AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION: Yes, upon request. RISK/DANGER: Cannot use right blinker or hazard warning flashers to notify approaching or oncoming vehicles of right turn or hazard which could cause other vehicles to crash into stopped or slowing vehichle. CONFIRMED: No. INSPECTED: Not by anyone other than myself [XXX] , daughter of [XXX] owner). ANY KIND OF WARNING & WHEN IT BEGAN: No warning or symptoms really, just didn't work one minute, then worked momentarily and then didn't work and has not worked since. Was taking vehicle in

20230405ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the headlights ceased to operate as needed. Upon taking the vehicle to a local Pep Boys, it was diagnosed that the electrical wiring harness was burned and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the bulbs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back the local Pep Boys, who replaced the electrical wiring harness and the bulbs a second time; however, the failure persisted. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20230405EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the headlights ceased to operate as needed. Upon taking the vehicle to a local Pep Boys, it was diagnosed that the electrical wiring harness was burned and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the bulbs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back the local Pep Boys, who replaced the electrical wiring harness and the bulbs a second time; however, the failure persisted. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20211008STRUCTURE:BODY

Rear door will not open. Window works but door handles inside and outside will not unlock door to open.

20210917EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Back door latches sticking/very hard to open and at times won’t open at all. Visibility from wipers is very limited and not good. Rear exterior lights at times flicker and bulbs come loose at times

20210917VISIBILITY/WIPER

Back door latches sticking/very hard to open and at times won’t open at all. Visibility from wipers is very limited and not good. Rear exterior lights at times flicker and bulbs come loose at times

20210917UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Back door latches sticking/very hard to open and at times won’t open at all. Visibility from wipers is very limited and not good. Rear exterior lights at times flicker and bulbs come loose at times

20210831LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

1. The air bag dummy light is on 2. The relay switch keeps going bad on my regular headlights, but the brights will turn on 3. Rear driver side door popped open on the highway while driving with my 12 year old nephew in the backseat. Will not latch shut.

20201005EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME. HIGH BEAMS WORK, VEHICLE RUNS, HAS ALL POWERS. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I LEFT THE HOUSE, WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED WHEN IT BEGAN TO TURN INTO EARLY EVENING.

Mileage: 148,000

20200930FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE AND THEY SAID THERE'S A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE GAS TANK FUEL INLET VALVE. COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE GMC ENVOY AND CORRECTION INVOLVES REPLACING THE WHOLE FUEL TANK COSTING AN AVERAGE $1,400. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IF LEFT UNTREATED. CALLED GMC CORPORATE AND I DIDN'T GET ANY HELP. THEY SAID MY ENVOY WAS NOT UNDER ANY RECALLS. THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT.

20200722POWER TRAIN

SHIFT CABLE BROKE BETWEEN THE SHIFTER AND THE TRANSMISSION WHILE SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE TO PARK ON A STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPEN WHILE SHIFTING DOWN GEAR TO LOWER SPEED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL, A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE HAPPEN THAT WOULD HAVE LED TO A CRASH WITH EXTREME PROPERTY DAMAGE AND MOST LIKELY DRIVER AND PASSENGER INJURY AND POSSIBLE DEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET IN MARLOW HEIGHTS MARYLAND FOR REPAIR AFTER THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER MANUALLY SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD'VE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THE TOW DRIVER TO DO IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN FACING DOWN HILL OR IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATION. FOR SOME REASON, HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE STILL HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED NOR HAVE I'VE BEEN GIVEN A REASON AS TO WHY.

Mileage: 298,000

20200511FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

U GUYS ISSUED RECALLED ALL GMC VEHICLES FOR A LEAKING GAS CK VALVE ON GAS TANK NO MATTER HOW LONG IN SERVICE STATIONARY OR ON MOTION CK WITH MY LOCAL DEALER KARL CHEVROLET ANKENY IOWA THEY SAY EXPIRED I'M 2017 AT 150000 YOUR RECALLED AS LONG AS IN SERVICE. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

20200511AIR BAGS

MY WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT AND THE BACK DOOR FLEW OPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE OTHER BACK DOOR IS NOT CLICKING SHUT AND THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 189,000

20200511STRUCTURE:BODY

MY WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT AND THE BACK DOOR FLEW OPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE OTHER BACK DOOR IS NOT CLICKING SHUT AND THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 189,000

20200123EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN TRAILER IS CONNECTED TO THE 7 WAY TO BOX TRAILER CONNECTION TRAILER TAIL LAMPS DO NOT LIGHT CORRECTLY. BRAKE AND LEFT TURN SIGNAL LAMPS WORK PROPERLY. THE RIGHT TURN TRAILER LAMP IS PARTIALLY LIT WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS NOT ENGAGED. WHEN RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS START FLASHING, BRAKE LIGHTS WORK NORMAL. THIS TURN SIGNAL ISSUE APPLY ONLY WHEN TRAILER ELECTRIC CIRCUIT IS PLUNGED IN TO THE TRAILER CIRCUIT. MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE FLASHER UNIT FOR THE 2003 ENVOY VEHICLE TURN SIGNALS. IT APPEARS THE TRAILER CIRCUIT HAS A SIMILAR ISSUE. BOTH THE VEHICLE AND TRAILER WORK OFF THE SAME FLASHER MODULE. SEE RECALL 05V198000. I PLAN TO REPLACE THE FLASHER UNIT TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. IF YOU NEVER TOWED A TRAILER THIS ISSUE WOULD NOT BE DISCOVERED. WHEN TOWING A TRAILER DRIVER COULD BECOME CONFUSED WHEN YOUR MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THIS POTENTIALLY COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TRAILER USED WAS A 5X10 FOOT SINGLE AXLE BOX TRAILER WIT

Compare 2003GMCENVOY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 GMC ENVOY have?
The 2003 GMC ENVOY has 508 NHTSA complaints, 59 crashes, 14 fires, 51 injuries, and 9 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 GMC ENVOY?
Yes, the 2003 GMC ENVOY has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC ENVOY?
The most-complained component for the 2003 GMC ENVOY is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 54 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2003 GMC ENVOY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.