2005 GMC Envoy Problems, Recalls & Reliability
682 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2005 GMC Envoy, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 75/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 83,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2005 sits among all Envoy years
What owners report
“While driving, low beam headlamps will turn off without warning...high beam headlamps still function”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 Envoy
“The fuel gauge stopped working. The fuel gauge reads empty when the fuel tank is full. The check engine light is on.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 Envoy
“Brake lights stopped working; the light bulbs work, but when you push in the breaks neither back brake lights come on. The only working break light is the middle top one. This is very dangerous.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 Envoy
“When stopped in traffic or at a stop light, my vehicle will idle roughly and sometime stall. It does this in drive, neutral and park. I've had it checked and they couldn't find anything wrong. There are no codes showing a problem.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 Envoy
“My brother was driving down the street, no bumps no potholes, both side airbags just deployed for no reason at all.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 Envoy
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 522 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 79,225 miles. Half of those reports fall between 52,000 and 100,914 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NO 335-1120L-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP HOUSING SHAPE DEFORMED DISTORTING THE ASSEMBLY ANGLE OF THE REFLECTOR AND…
Fix: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT…
Fix: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED…
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
729 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2005 GMC Envoy. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2005 GMC Envoy reliable?
The 2005 GMC Envoy drew 682 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 75/100, scored against the model's worst year (2003).
What are the most common 2005 GMC Envoy problems?
The top reported problems for the 2005 GMC Envoy are electrical (234 complaints), fuel system (195), and other (58).
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Envoy problems show up?
Owners most often report 2005 GMC Envoy problems around 79,225 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 52,000 and 100,914 miles.
Does the 2005 GMC Envoy have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2005 GMC Envoy. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.