KnownCarProblems2003 GMC Envoy Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 394 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Envoy, most often about the fuel system (24% of complaints, typically around 87,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Envoy model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2003 GMC Envoy problems
Fuel system
94 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
Hello, I am second owner of GMC Envoy sle 2003 car. Couple months ago the light check engine soon started appears and disappear after filling gas and several trips. June this year I went to dealer service from where I buy the car three years ago .they fixed some thing (housing and / or gasket, thermostat replace and…
There seems to be an overwhelming amount of error code po442 in the 2003 GMC Envoy and chevy trailblazers. This code is a faulty gas tank that over time develops a small leak. The only way to fix it is to replace the tank. This cost anywhere between $1000 - $1500 to replace. If there is a gas leak there can be a…
Electrical
77 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
Within the last 4 or 5 months, the speedometer on our 2003 Envoy will display erratic and incorrect speeds. When the vehicle is first started up the speedometer seems to register correctly. After 20 minutes or more the needle will begin to stick or stutter. Within 30 minutes the speedometer will register 90 MPH with…
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the speedometer had not worked since the vehicle was purchased, and recently all of the gauges on the instrumental panel failed to function. The manufacturer stated that warranty had expired and the vehicle was over 70,000 miles; however, the manufacturer had…
Visibility and wipers
40 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, rearview mirrors/devices, glass, side/rear, power window devices and controls.
Windshield wipers were inoperative. Recall 04v046000 for the windshield wiper assembly was issued. However, dealership was unsure if this vehicle's VIN number was included in the recall because consumer's notification was due to begin in the third quarter of 2004. Therefore, dealership refused to repair the windshield…
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the rear passenger side door would not latch. The latches for both driver side doors were previously replaced. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 05v494000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch) for the Envoy xl. The…
Transmission
37 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline, axle assembly.
Parked 2003 GMC Envoy at work. Left work, unable to start truck. Starter did not engage. Unable to move transmission from park to neutral with key in on position and foot on brake. Truck is stuck in park.
2003 GMC Envoy sle with 42,000 miles. Check 4 wdrive light came on then went back off. Dealer stated that the tccm had to be reprogrammed due to a bulletin. It cost me out of pocket no warranties cover this. Also the fan clutches went out but was replaced by extended warranties. I'm also told by dealer that the…
Air bags
37 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. When the contact turned the ignition on, the driver and front passenger side air bags deployed without warning. There was no injuries. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The current and failure mileages were 78,000. Updated 3/5/09 there was an internal failure of…
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. While driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Engine
35 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Check engine light illuminated on instrument cluster. Diagnostics indicated a code po 442. This code is indicative of a fuel system leak in the evaporative emission system. Replaced gas cap. Problem not resolved. Filled vehicle with gasoline in october 2010 and several times since. Strong odor of gasoline is present.…
All of a sudden the power steering of the Envoy slt 2003 was completely interrupted due to a broken shaft in the power steering pump. As a result the serpentine belt slipped on the edge of the power steering pump pulley and was wearing out quickly, which would have resulted in a broken belt.
Body and structure
33 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I took vehicle to GMC dealer for an unrelated gm special service program and upon removal of the fuel tank, they found extensive rust-through adjacent to where the tank mounts to the frame. They said the "vehicle is not safe to be driven" yet it has only 100,000 miles and its exterior appears almost like-new. Dealer…
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the front end of the vehicle collapsed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (robertson's GMC truck, 2680 cranberry hwy, wareham, ma 02571) where it was diagnosed that the frame assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Brakes
26 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, disc.
1. Normal winter driving in northeastern ohio. 2. Anti lock brake system failed to operate. The result was immediate loss of control of the vehicle, causing it to slide into oncoming traffic on a rural country road where it was struck by an on coming car. 3. The car is totaled as assessed by the insurance company, no…
The rotors on our 2003 GMC Envoy completely rusted out, to the extent that they could not even be turned, 13 months after purchase. There was approximately 1/3 of the brake pads still unused. We had to replace all rotors and pads, as the rotors scored the pads.
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 recalls
Lights: turn signal
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 condition increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the suspect flasher modules with a new flasher module designed with sealed relays and more durable contact material inside of the relays free of charge. The recall began on august 4, 2005. Isuzu began mailing owner letters on august 4, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, buick at 1-866-608-8080, and oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
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 system.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: If braking performance is reduced, a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left-front brake pipe. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-8006.
Full defect summary
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 brake performance would be reduced.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Fix: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
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 addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on march 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
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 the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
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.
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 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
Windshield wiper failure
Summary
On september 17, 2003, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-042) to investigate alleged windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 2002 and 2003 chevrolet trailblazer and trailblazer ext, gmc envoy and envoy xl, and oldsmobile bravada vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on january 6, 2004, and the scope was expanded to include certain my 2003 isuzu ascender vehicles.all subject vehicles are built on general motors? Gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the family design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsens
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
Windshield wiper failure
Summary
The subject vehicles (chevrolet trailblazer (ext), gmc envoy (xl), and oldsmobile bravada) are built on the gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the ?family? Design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsense automatic moisture sensitive wipers).the windshield wiper assembly is located inside the plenum at the base of the windshield and is mounted on an incline approximately equal to the rake of the windshield.gm reports that vehicles are subject to a quality assurance water test at the assembly plant.the test exposes the vehicles to an amount of water that exceeds the plenum?s capability to
Questions about the 2003 GMC Envoy
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Envoy?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (94 complaints, typically around 87,500 miles); electrical (77 complaints, typically around 66,500 miles); visibility and wipers (40 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Envoy have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 5, 2005 (lights). 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?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Envoy model year since 2000, with 394 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.