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2003 GMC Envoy XL problems

The most common problem on the 2003 GMC Envoy XL is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 70,000 miles. It has 1.2 times the complaints of a typical Envoy XL model year.

Typical year1.2x the typical complaints
Year score
65/100
Owner complaints
228
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
120
Worst area
Fuel system
Typical repair
$979

The worst 2003 GMC Envoy XL problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 GMC Envoy XL

Check engine light 19Fuel smell 18Fuel leak 14Door locks 9Headlights 8No deployment 7Fuel gauge 7Fire or smoke 6Fuel pump 5Wipers 5

Recalls 3

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported October 27, 2005 · 98,007 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 05V494000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lightsReported November 1, 2004 · 871,473 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 04V527000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washerReported February 4, 2004 · 581,394 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 04V046000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2003 GMC Envoy XL

Defect investigations

Loss of HeadlightsOpened April 24, 2017, closed March 29, 2021

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 vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at under the identification numbers in the attached document.

RQ17002

Fuel pump module leaks gasolineOpened July 10, 2007, closed August 28, 2008

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 leading to small pinholes appearing on the fuel lines.fuel may leak and collect on top of the module and/or spill onto the ground.the data evaluated under this investigation reflect a relatively low frequency of occurrence that largely arises in salt belt states.gm has extended the warranty on the subject component to ten years or 120,000 miles.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted at this time; accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information select document search.

EA07009

Fuel tank leakOpened March 13, 2007, closed June 12, 2007

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 detects the presence of a fuel system pressure leak and illuminates the ses light.other owners report smelling gasoline fumes. The action taken by the manufacturer is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE07014

Fuel pump module leaks gasolineOpened March 12, 2007, closed July 10, 2007

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.

PE07013

Brake lamp failureOpened August 3, 2004, closed November 4, 2004

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 the federal safety agency that it will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 04v527) covering subject vehicles that were not already repaired under gm's special policy.my 2004 subject vehicles built after august 8, 2003 contain improved brake lamp assemblies and are not included in the recall.gm dealers will install the improved brake lamp assembly on subject vehicles built on august 8, 2003 and earlier.the action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.accordingly, this investigation is closed.

EA04021

Fuel spillage during refuelingOpened January 5, 2004, closed May 7, 2004

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 spitback issue.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of the agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached report for additional information.

PE04001

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 GMC Envoy XL 120

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 120 bulletins for the 2003 GMC Envoy XL

What 2003 GMC Envoy XL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 15, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

While driving the vehicle a strong odor of gas entering the cabin. Fill vehicle up and large amount of gas pours on the ground from under the vehicle. Closer inspection reveals the part that attaches to the gas tank is broken off causing vapors to escape and not providing a seal to contain the smell. While driving on the interstate at normal operating speed vehicle loses oil pressure causing it to drop to 0 and message appears to stop engine. Both incidents are safety hazards and can cause serious life an death incidents if issues are not addressed by the corporation. This occur on interstate 66 in washington, dc. Immediate recall of all vehicles from gmc neeeds to be initiated.

Filed Apr 4, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 188,000 miles · MI

I was driving down the road when the car shut down everything I was scared because I had traffic right behind me going 45mph and then they car would not run again. I was right in the middle of an inter section at hall road and 59 it was the scariest thing that has happened to me. I bought this vehicle as a used auto and I'm not sure if the emmission system ever got changed and this happened once before and the dealer said not to drive with my house keys attached. I had to get the auto towed home.

Filed Nov 23, 2018 · Fuel system · 181,000 miles · MN

When in park position heavy gas fumes coming from a leak at the top of the tank. You can visually see the gas stains on the sides and bottom of tank.when rolling to a stop the fumes return.I'm getting headaches and burning of my eyes and throat.I checked my VIN for recalls, the parts involved are #14423c fuel tank inlet check valve fracture,and #07076a fuel tank modular reservoir assembly corrosion #12166 fuel filler neck..I'm afraid every time I drive it that I could be bodily harmed at any given moment, a spark,someone flicking a cigarette,a accident, anything that would trigger a spark.

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy xl. The contact noticed a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to manfredi chevrolet (2519 hylan blvd, staten island, ny 10306, (347) 979-0291) per an unknown recall regarding the fuel tank. The contact was informed that the failure was not related to the recall. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Jun 26, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 145,000 miles · PA

While driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the third row floor got really hot and my children were saying their feet were really hot and we smelled something like plastic melting and my 15 year old cousins boot melted and the carpet melted and you can see metal. Once we arrived home the blinker stayed on and did not shut off until the battery died. Just before this happed the vehicle lost power and my husband had to put his foot on the gas all the way.

Filed Feb 8, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 90,000 miles · MA

We purchased our 2003 gmc envoy xl sle 8 cylinder brand new at alden buick in fairhaven, mass in july 2003; for the past 3 years we had it serviced at robertsson's gmc 2680 cranberry highway, wareham, mass.02571,508‑291‑0044. We had it reconditioned at this dealership last year, spending $4000.00; we had it inspected at this dealership with the massachusetts vehicle check; it passed the front end check and frame check on 8/4/17. I was driving the vehicle in late december, and hit several deep potholes caused by an ice storm; shortly thereafter I lost steering control of the vehicle. I had it towed to alden buick/gmc in fairhaven, mass. To be told that the entire frame had collapsed due to extensive corrosion and rust. I had it towed to robertson's gmc in wareham and filed a claim with commerce ins. Co. To hopefully cover the damage to the frame; commerce denied the claim stating"the frame assembly was severely rotted and this extensive rot allowed the right front control arm to break awayfrom the mounting point on the frame rail. Gmc issued a technical service bulletin stating that some envoy models suffered from extensive frame corrosion. Why did robertson's gmc pass the vehicle on the safety check, and why was I not informed of the vehicle's frame corrosion before I spent the $4000.00 reconditioning it? Why is frame check and front end check listed as pass on my vehicle when this corrosion and rust was present at time of insspection? Fortunately neither I nor any of my family members were injured while driving/riding in this vehicle.

Filed Jul 19, 2017 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy xl. The contact stated that the filler pipe was fractured and caused the bladder to leak. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the bladder and filler neck needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2017 · Body · CT

The rear passenger door stop closing ....the latch is broken ...they had a recall on this in 2005 but claim it's close now what can I do?

Filed Mar 27, 2017 · Fuel system · 98,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy xl. While driving 30 MPH, the fuel gauge fluctuated and failed to properly display the amount of fuel in the tank. The lack of fuel caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2016 · Airbags · 138,000 miles · WI · crash · 1 injury

When the driver slid on ice and crashed into a tree, the airbag did not deploy and the driver was injured

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Other model years

2002200320042006

Questions about the 2003 GMC Envoy XL

Is the 2003 GMC Envoy XL reliable?

Owners have filed 228 complaints about the 2003 GMC Envoy XL, 1.2 times a typical Envoy XL model year.

What is the 2003 GMC Envoy XL year score?

The 2003 GMC Envoy XL scores 65 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Envoy XL: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 GMC Envoy XL?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 63 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is electrical (53).

How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Envoy XL have?

3 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages, exterior lighting and visibility.

What year does the GMC Envoy XL have the most fuel system problems?

The GMC Envoy XL model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2006 (71 complaints), 2003 (63 complaints) and 2004 (28 complaints).

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