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U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Gmc ENVOY: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

393 owner complaints analyzed

7 distinct recall campaigns

73,134 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 297 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 54 of 393 complaints (13.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Fuel system concerns6817.3%
Braking behavior4411.2%
Electrical and battery issues266.6%
Transmission and shifting194.8%
Steering behavior184.6%
Engine operation82.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
54
Fuel System, Gasoline
36
Air Bags
28
Fuel/Propulsion System
26
Exterior Lighting
21
Structure:Body
17
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
15
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
14
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System54
Fuel System, Gasoline36
Air Bags28
Fuel/Propulsion System26
Exterior Lighting21
Structure:Body17
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel15
Power Train:Automatic Transmission14

Electrical System: 54; Fuel System, Gasoline: 36; Air Bags: 28; Fuel/Propulsion System: 26; Exterior Lighting: 21; Structure:Body: 17; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 15; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 14

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
52
25,000 to 49,999
39
50,000 to 74,999
60
75,000 to 99,999
46
100,000 to 149,999
61
150,000 and above
39
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00052
25,000 to 49,99939
50,000 to 74,99960
75,000 to 99,99946
100,000 to 149,99961
150,000 and above39

Under 25,000: 52; 25,000 to 49,999: 39; 50,000 to 74,999: 60; 75,000 to 99,999: 46; 100,000 to 149,999: 61; 150,000 and above: 39

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (61). 96 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2002
3
2003
44
2004
38
2005
27
2006
20
2007
27
2008
21
2009
24
2010
25
2011
22
2012
15
2013
19
2014
28
2015
22
2016
13
2017
8
2018
11
2019
8
2020
7
2021
3
2023
1
2024
2
2025
2
2026
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20023
200344
200438
200527
200620
200727
200821
200924
201025
201122
201215
201319
201428
201522
201613
20178
201811
20198
20207
20213
20231
20242
20252
20263

2002: 3; 2003: 44; 2004: 38; 2005: 27; 2006: 20; 2007: 27; 2008: 21; 2009: 24; 2010: 25; 2011: 22; 2012: 15; 2013: 19; 2014: 28; 2015: 22; 2016: 13; 2017: 8; 2018: 11; 2019: 8; 2020: 7; 2021: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 3

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 68 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 44 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 26 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10000118 · 2002-12-16 (December 16, 2002)

NON FUNCTIONAL WIPER MOTOR THAT THE DEALERSHIP (TOBY WELLS, PINEHURST, NC) AS WELL AS OTHER LOCAL GM DEALERS (SILVESTRY, LAURINBURG, AND JOE BROWN, ROCKINGHAM) HAVE TOLD ME IS KNOWN BY GM, AND COMMON PROBLEM. EVEN WITH THIS KNOWLEDGE, IT STILL TOOK ALMOST 2 WEEKS BEFORE I COULD GET THE PROBLEM REPAIRED

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000118 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10000664 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)

I BOUGHT A 2003 ENVOY XL 11 DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. WE WENT INTO A RESTAURANT, CAME BACK OUT AFTER EATING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS 150 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON IT AND HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR, GET A RENTAL (WHICH WAS PAID FOR), AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD NEVER HAD HAPPEN BEFORE. I TOLD THE DEALER I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT CAR, BUT WAS TOLD THIS WAS A UNHEARD OF PROBLEM.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000664 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004199 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING FRONT SEAT BELTS GIVE TOO MUCH ATTENTION CROSS THE CHEST. TS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004199 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10005160 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)

PURCHASED A 2003 ENVOY XL ON 27 DEC 02 - SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN TO THE GARAGE TWO TIMES - NO CLAMP ON ONE END OF THE POWER STEERING LINE (LUCKILY IT BLEW OFF WHILE STILL IN OUR DRIVE WAY - GOD HELP US IF IT HAD LET LOOSE AT HIGH SPEED ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY) SECOND TIME WAS FOR A BAD CAM SENSOR. AND WE HAVEN'T MADE THE FIRST PAYMENT YET. FIRST CASS NUMBER FROM GMC IS S1-68773551 - SECOND CASE NUMBER I DON'T HAVE YET AS I JUST REPORTED IT THIS MORNING. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT MY WIFE AND I HAVE NO TRUST IN THIS CAR NOW - WHAT ELSE WILL GO WRONG…

Owner-reported narrative. 574 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005160 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10006984 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)

THERE WAS A WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. DEALER HASN'T CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006984 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007973 · 2003-02-22 (February 22, 2003)

GMC ENVOY, 2003. COMPLAINT: REAR CENTER SEAT/SHOULDER BELT LOCKS UP 100% OF THE TIME. BECAUSE OF THIS ANYONE WEARING IT IS "PINNED" AGAINST THE SEAT. THAT IS, THERE IS NO MOVEMENT ALLOWED - YOU CANNOT LEAN FOREWARD. THIS SITUATION MAKES THE BACK CENTER POSITION BELT UN-USABLE. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER, (AND THEY AGREE THAT IT IS UN-WEARABLE), BUT SAY THAT THERE IS NO FIX. THEY ALSO SHOWED ME THAT THE SAME SITUATION CAN BE FOUND ON OTHER ENVOYS ON THEIR LOT. I FREQUENTLY CARRY 5 PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AND I BELIEVE IT…

Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007973 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10010707 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)

I OWN A 2003 GMC ENVOY XL AND WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEAR A LOT OF WIND NOISE, WHILE THE WINDOWS ARE CLOSED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010707 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10019164 · 2003-05-23 (May 23, 2003)

ON A 2003 GMC ENVOY XL (VEHICLE MILEAGE APPROX. 8900 MILES), THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON WHEN THE SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED; THE FIRST WAS IN SEPTEMBER 2002. AT THAT TIME, THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019164 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

02V222000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2002-08-09 (August 9, 2002)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V051000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V075000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Reported: 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V151000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)

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.

Consequence: IF BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V250000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual

Reported: 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)

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.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V046000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer

Reported: 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)

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.

Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
05V198000 · Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal

Reported: 2005-05-05 (May 5, 2005)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗