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2004 GMC Envoy XLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 187 owner complaints about the 2004 GMC Envoy XL, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2004 GMC Envoy XL
44
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the Envoy XL median · #2 of 4 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints18718 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage65kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 14, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 GMC Envoy XL has problems

187 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 system813
Fuel system, gasoline200
Power train200
Engine and engine cooling151
Exterior lighting111
Vehicle speed control92
Visibility92
Fuel/propulsion system81
Air bags74
13 other systems415

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

1 recall

2004 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

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 →

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?

65kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 63 electrical system complaints. 90% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
5under 30k miles57under 100k miles6100k 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

14 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

2004 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

2004 GMC Envoy XL safety ratings

2004 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 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. TURN SIGNAL FAILURESPE05006 · closed May 6, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-198
  4. 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.

DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED DOWN HILL ON A CITY STREET, WITH THE CAR IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE CAR STALLED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN DRIVING ON A FLAT SERVICE OF A PARKING LOT OF A SHOPPING CENTER. AGAIN, WITH THE CAR IN THE DRIVE POSITION GOING AT A LOW SPEED THE CAR STALLED.
Complaint 11163923 · Dec 29, 2018 · 145,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING AND MY VEHICLE ON I-985 HALL COUNTY GA. MY CHECK GAGE LIGHT CAME ON AND LESS THAN 1/2 OF A MILE IT START TO SMOKE AND BURN AS SOON AS I STOPPED TURNED OF THE IGNITION. IT BURNT TO THE GROUND FROM THE ENGINE AREA TO THE INSIDE.
Complaint 10888197 · Jul 25, 2016 · 160,000 miles
MY GMC ENVOY WAS PARKED UNATTENDED IN MY DRIVEWAY DIRECTLY NEXT TO MY HOUSE. MY SONS AND I WERE IN THE BACKYARD PLAYING WHEN MY OLDEST SON WENT TO RETRIEVE HIS BALL FROM THE DRIVEWAY. HE CAME BACK SCREAMING MOM YOUR TRUCK IS ON FIRE.I IMMEDIATELY RAN OVER TO SEE THE TRUCK FULL OF FIRE AND SMOKE. I…
Complaint 10837291 · Feb 20, 2016

Own a 2004 Envoy XL?

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