KnownCarProblems2003 GMC Envoy XL Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 228 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Envoy XL, most often about the fuel system (28% of complaints, typically around 68,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Envoy XL model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 GMC Envoy XL problems
Fuel system
63 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
I have a 2003 GMC envoy. Lately I have smelt gas when outside and even inside the vehicle. After doing some research online, it appears that this is a common problem with these vehicles. This should be recalled with gm, this is a huge safety issue. Since what makes gasoline explode is the vapors I would image that gm…
I have a 2003 GMC envoy that has the fuel gauge issue as well. For years I always have to make sure I have gas in the tank because I really never know how much gas a have. I can but $30 or $40 in gas in my tank and my gauge will read whatever it wants. It has shown that I have gas and I have ran out twice while…
Electrical
53 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, wiring.
My GMC Envoy XL that is very well taken care of and all maintenance is always kept up to date just stopped charging (battery) over night. I was told the the battery cell was bad and I needed to replace the battery. I spent the money to replace the battery to only find out the instrument panel is draining my battery. I…
My GMC envoy cluster ( speedometer ) is not working properly sometimes it moves and sometime it just sit on zero, even if going 65 miles an hour.. The exterior headlight shot off one night when I was driving home I can only drive with full light. My mechanic stated it was due to an electrical problems... GMC needs to…
Visibility and wipers
29 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear, rearview mirrors/devices, windshield wiper/washer.
The rear driver door popped open and won't close. The fan clutch failed 2 weeks after I purchased the vehicle. I thought the transmission went out because it was winding really high and not driving normally. Also the rear passenger doors on both sides have malfunctioned. The window on the passenger rear went out. I…
Windshield wiper problems as outlined in recall NHTSA #ea04002. My dealer says my vehicle is not in the recall but the problems are exactly as described. I have purchased a wiper motor I did not need.
Body and structure
22 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
I was dropping my boat off at the local storage yard where I keep it. I opened the rear hatch of my envoy to get a bucket out of the inside where I keep the boat's accessories.. The hatch was open for approximately 2 minutes when it exploded and rained glass all over me and into my right eye. It sounded like a shotgun…
I have a 2003 GMC envoy, that is rusting badly. Recently this caused the transmission cooler to fail. Also the rear brake shoe backing plates, the spare tire carrier, the tail gate, along with other parts. GMC has recognized the fuel filler neck corrosion, but not the entire vehicle.
Engine
18 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 85,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
The rear driver door popped open and won't close. The fan clutch failed 2 weeks after I purchased the vehicle. I thought the transmission went out because it was winding really high and not driving normally. Also the rear passenger doors on both sides have malfunctioned. The window on the passenger rear went out. I…
I got home one evening and when I turned the ignition key to shut the truck off the engine continued to run. I was concerned; as I could not leave the vehicle running all night; at that point I tried to engage the key again and the vehicle was still running . I became concerned and started to fiddle with the knobs and…
Transmission
18 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive), clutch assembly.
I smelled something burning after I parked my 2003 GMC Envoy XL in the garage. After inspecting, noticed transmission fluid leaking on ground. Towed to mechanic. Told transmission cooler hose was laying next to catalytic converter - not secured. Heat from cc rubbed hole in tc hose and therefore could have ignited…
Transmission line mounted too close to catalytic converter resulting in rubbing action that resulted in a hole in the transmission line spraying fluid on hot exhaust parts. Had to pay to have hose replaced. Don't know if the eventual failure of the transmission at 73k miles was related, but had to pay $2700 to get a…
Lights
16 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, brake lights, headlights, hazard flashing warning lights.
: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH on the highway the brake light on top of the rear window fell off. The dealer was alerted. Updated 9/20/2006 -
I am the owner of a 2003 GMC envoy. There is currently a recall on some 2003 GMC envoys regarding a turn signal defect NHTSA campaign id number 05v198000. With 286,478 potential vehicles affected. I took my car in and it is not within the VIN range of affected vehicles. Although my vehicle doses indeed have the…
Doors and locks
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors, hatchback/liftgate, tailgate.
The rear driver door popped open and won't close. The fan clutch failed 2 weeks after I purchased the vehicle. I thought the transmission went out because it was winding really high and not driving normally. Also the rear passenger doors on both sides have malfunctioned. The window on the passenger rear went out. I…
My 2003 GMC Envoy XL sle has a latch problem on the back doors, it has already been fixed but isn't resolved and the driver headlamp constantly burns out, 3 times in the last 2 months. I called on a recall but there isn't one. Its going to cause an accident at some point. The last time I tried to fix it the socket was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 GMC Envoy XL recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the door is not latched properly and it goes unnoticed, it may open while the vehicle is in motion. If an unbelted occupant fell out of the vehicle, personal injuries could occur.
Fix: Dealers will install a seal along the lower part of the rocker panel to prevent intrusion of corrosive material, and inspect the rear side closure latches. Functional latches will be cleaned and lubricated. Non-functioning latches will be replaced. The recall began on february 24, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles have a rear side closure latch that may not latch or unlatch due to corrosion caused by road splash, such as water and road salt. These vehicles were originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia.
Lights: brake lights
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 not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on november 22, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, buick at 1-866-608-8080, or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat may cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb may flicker and eventually become inoperative.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
Risk: Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will cover the windshield wiper module vent hole with a patch. Also, the wiper motor, circuit board, and electrical connector will be inspected to signs of water intrusion and/or corrosion and be replaced as required. The recall began july 6, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
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 cause a short circuit or can lead to the corrosion of components within the module.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of headlights
Summary
The subject vehicles are model year (my) 2002-2009 chevrolet trailblazer, gmc envoy, 2004-2007 buick rainier, 2003-2008 isuzu ascender, 2005-2009 saab 9-7x, 2002-2004 oldsmobile bravada, 2003-2006 chevrolet ssr, 2005-2009 buick lacrosse, and 2006-2008 pontiac grand prix. This scope includes the trailblazer/envoy variants: 2002-2006 envoy xl/trailblazer ext and 2004-2005 envoy xuv. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject headlight driver module (hdm). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by general motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicle
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
Summary
During the course of this ea investigation, odi observed that the majority of the complaints (88%) and warranty claims (94%) were reported for vehicles that are registered for use in the salt belt region of the US.this area includes 20 states in the northeast, mid atlantic and the midwest regions and the district of columbia.consumers in the salt belt region reported to odi that they could smell fuel vapors in their vehicles while driving.upon further examination of their vehicles, they discovered that fuel vapors were coming out of the top of the fuel tank. This condition is caused by corrosion of the return and sender lines of the fuel pump module.water and road salt collect on top of the
Fuel tank leak
Summary
In june 2007, gm will expand its special policy to address fuel tank inlet check valve (icv) fractures on certain model year (my) trailblazer ext and gmc envoy xl vehicles.the expanded policy covers my 2002-2004 trailblazer ext, gmc envoy xl, and gmc envoy xuv vehicles and will extend for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first).gm will provide free repair of the fuel tank. It is sending letters to owners beginning in june of 2007.this action supersedes gm's previous 7 year/70,000 mile special policy for my 2002 trailblazer ext and envoy xl vehicles.the condition is most often reported as illumination of the service engine soon (ses) light.the vehicle's diagnostic system
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
Summary
Odi has received reports that the fuel pump module leaks fuel and or vapor underneath the vehicle.gm states, the failure mechanism is corrosion of the fuel pump module flange which may lead to a fuel leak.corrosion of the fuel pump module flange is the result of the vehicle operating in a corrosive environment.odi has upgraded this pe to engineering analysis (ea07-009) to further assess this issue.
Brake lamp failure
Summary
Gm states that some brake/tail lamp bulbs can prematurely become inoperative due to malfunctioning brake/tail lamp sockets.on march 2, 2004, gm initiated a 6-year/72,000 mile special policy for 989,487 subject vehicles to inspect and replace the rear brake/tail lamp bulb socket assemblies.on april 4, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-032) based on consumer complaints alleging brake lights not operating when the brake pedal is depressed.on august 3, 2004 odi upgraded pe04-032 to an engineering analysis (ea04-021).by letter dated october 27, 2004 gm notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA # 04v527) covering subject vehicles
Fuel spillage during refueling
Summary
This investigation was opened on the model year (my) 2003 chevrolet trailblazer.based on gm's information request (ir) response, odi added to its analysis the my 2003 gmc envoy and oldsmobile bravada vehicles.these vehicles share the same vehicle platform (gm 360/370) and fuel fill components.incident summary numbers reported above include these vehicles.epa regulates the fuel dispensing rates at filling stations and gm states that the reports of spitback for the subject vehicles are principally caused by fuel dispensing pumps exceeding the rate specified by epa.odi finds that the rate of complaints, field reports and warranty is low compared to other vehicles that have been recalled for a s
Questions about the 2003 GMC Envoy XL
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Envoy XL?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (63 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles); electrical (53 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); visibility and wipers (29 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Envoy XL have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 27, 2005 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the GMC Envoy XL?
- It is the most complained-about Envoy XL model year since 2000, with 228 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.