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2003 GMC EnvoyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 394 owner complaints about the 2003 GMC Envoy, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

2003 GMC Envoy
47
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Envoy median · #3 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints39477 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage67kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 GMC Envoy has problems

394 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 system776
Fuel system, gasoline641
Power train372
Air bags3729
Structure332
Visibility321
Fuel/propulsion system270
Exterior lighting261
Engine and engine cooling252
18 other systems13828

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

7 recalls

2003 GMC Envoy 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: turn signal

Recall 05V-198 · May 5, 2005 · 286,478 vehicles

Risk. 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…

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 →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V-151 · Apr 23, 2003 · 44,653 vehicles

Risk. IF BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 03V-075 · Mar 6, 2003 · 511,167 vehicles

Risk. THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 02V-222 · Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles

Risk. PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT…

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?

67kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 62 electrical system complaints. 69% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
11under 30k miles43under 100k miles19100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Envoy 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 median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 GMC Envoy safety ratings

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

  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA04002 · closed Feb 10, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-046
  2. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREEA04021 · closed Nov 4, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-527
  3. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEEA07009 · closed Aug 28, 2008
    No recall
  4. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREPE03042 · closed Jan 6, 2004
    No recall
  5. FUEL SPILLAGE DURING REFUELINGPE04001 · closed May 7, 2004
    No recall
  6. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEPE07013 · closed Jul 10, 2007
    No recall
  7. Loss of HeadlightsRQ17002 · closed Mar 29, 2021
    No recall
In owners' words

What Envoy owners report

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

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while in drive(D), the vehicle shut off and then restarted. The message “Service Engine Soon” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced.…
Complaint 11723763 · Mar 12, 2026 · 98,000 miles
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.
Complaint 11671416 · Jul 6, 2025
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…
Complaint 11515670 · Apr 5, 2023

Own a 2003 Envoy?

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