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2003 GMC Envoy XLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 228 owner complaints about the 2003 GMC Envoy XL, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2003 GMC Envoy XL
38
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.7× the Envoy XL median · #1 of 4 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints22829 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage91kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 15, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 GMC Envoy XL has problems

228 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system535
Fuel system, gasoline502
Visibility277
Structure226
Power train181
Exterior lighting162
Latches/locks/linkages151
Engine and engine cooling122
Fuel/propulsion system120
15 other systems6114

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2003 GMC Envoy XL recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Doors: latch

Recall 05V-494 · Oct 27, 2005 · 98,007 vehicles

Risk. IF THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY AND IT GOES UNNOTICED, IT MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 04V-527 · Nov 1, 2004 · 871,473 vehicles

Risk. AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 04V-046 · Feb 4, 2004 · 581,394 vehicles

Risk. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

91kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 49 electrical system complaints. 57% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles28under 100k miles21100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Electrical system

9 owners mentioned a cost

$600median

Middle half: $500 – $600

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Envoy XL year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Envoy XL median. How we score

'02'03'04'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 GMC Envoy XL safety ratings

2003 GMC Envoy XL 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 GMC Envoy XL, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREEA04021 · closed Nov 4, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-527
  2. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEEA07009 · closed Aug 28, 2008
    No recall
  3. FUEL SPILLAGE DURING REFUELINGPE04001 · closed May 7, 2004
    No recall
  4. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEPE07013 · closed Jul 10, 2007
    No recall
  5. FUEL TANK LEAKPE07014 · closed Jun 12, 2007
    No recall
  6. Loss of HeadlightsRQ17002 · closed Mar 29, 2021
    No recall
In owners' words

What Envoy XL owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING I WAS SCARED BECAUSE I HAD TRAFFIC RIGHT BEHIND ME GOING 45MPH AND THEN THEY CAR WOULD NOT RUN AGAIN. I WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTER SECTION AT HALL ROAD AND 59 IT WAS THE SCARIEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I BOUGHT THIS…
Complaint 11193870 · Apr 4, 2019 · 188,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE THIRD ROW FLOOR GOT REALLY HOT AND MY CHILDREN WERE SAYING THEIR FEET WERE REALLY HOT AND WE SMELLED SOMETHING LIKE PLASTIC MELTING AND MY 15 YEAR OLD COUSINS BOOT MELTED AND THE CARPET MELTED AND YOU CAN SEE METAL. ONCE WE ARRIVED HOME THE BLINKER STAYED…
Complaint 11104092 · Jun 26, 2018 · 145,000 miles
I WAS IN A MVA JULY 22, 2015 I WAS TBONED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE WENT HEADON WITH A LIGHT POLE AND MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL IN THE TRUCK SINCE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK. IT WAS AN AS IS WITH NO WARRANTY AND I WASNT GIVEN ANY KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEMS OR…
Complaint 10785134 · Oct 21, 2015 · 196,000 miles

Own a 2003 Envoy XL?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.