2003 GMC Envoy XL: fire, smoke or burning smell

6 of the 228 complaints about the 2003 GMC Envoy XL describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 140,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 15 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2004
3
2003
6
2002
1

What owners say

Filed Oct 7, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 149,000 miles · OK · fire

Headlight switch overheated and caused circuit panel to catch on fire.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Electrical · 140,318 miles · VA

My driver side locks and window controls have ceased to operate. Evidently fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short circuit in the door module which caused the power door lock and power window switches to become inoperative. My concern is that the short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing an odor, smoke, or a fire. I looked on the internet and there is a recall from gm and dealers will inspect the driver's door module, if it is functioning correctly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning correctly, it will be replaced. The gm recall number is 12180. I called gm and they told me that although this exact problem is happening to my automobile...my car is not covered. I am afraid that my car will catch on fire.

Filed Jul 13, 2013 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · SC · fire

My dad was driving his 2003 gmc envoy xl home from work and he felt a small explosion and saw black smoke out of his rear view mirror. So he pulled over, got out, and there were flames underneath the car. Within 5-10 minutes the car exploded. A fire fighter and state trooper pulled over to help him, and they both said the fire looked like it started from a fuel leak because the flames were "dripping" under the car. After researching recalls and complaints, I am infuriated that there were so many complaints filed over this problem, and even an investigation was done, but it was not considered serious enough to be a recall. I can't even think about what would have happened if he had waited to pull over at the next exit or the first explosion had been bigger. Apparently, this is a problem with almost all years of this model since 2002. I hope nothing like this, or something worse, happens to anyone else. *tr .. Updated 02/19/15 *bf...updated 03-11-15 *bf updated 04/02/15

Filed Feb 23, 2009 · Fuel system · 85,700 miles · CA

The gas tank on my 2003 gmc envoy xlt (80k miles) is leaking, especially when tank is full. There was a small puddle on the driveway. The problem actually started back around 50k miles with engine light on. I have taken it to dealer and mechanics before, but it was thought to be some sort of fuel cap problem or over sensitive sensors. However, today, because my gas tank was full, the dealer found that there are leaks caused by a crack tank and fuel tank neck. The fuel leak and vapor are so strong that I feared a small spark can set the whole vehicle on fire like a roman candle. Car was used for everyday commute only.

Filed Nov 6, 2006 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · TX

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 vehicle. Since I had parked in the garage, it also could have burned my other vehicle and our house. Mechanic replaced hose and secured. Gmc will not acknowledge this is a problem since I did not take it to a dealer for repair and they cannot find any recall or bulletin on this problem.

Filed Mar 29, 2006 · Engine · 36,000 miles · IL · fire

The engine on my 2003 envoy xl caught fire and the car was completely engulfed by the fire. The incident occurred after driving up a road rising 1500 vertical feet over a distance of 3.5 miles. No warning lights came on before someone outside the car alerted us to the fire. The vehicle had 36000 miles on it and had recently had all the recommended service completed including oil change and transmission and fuel system flushes. The one issue which the gmc dealer had been unable to fix was a leak to the front pinion seal. The dealer had the car for two days and could find no problem even though a very reputable repair shop had alerted us to the problem while performing the other maintenance and suggested that we have the dealer address the problem while the car was under warranty. After the dealer said there was nothing they could do I was told by a service manager that he didn't want to replace the seal because if it was something else it would have been a waste of money to replace the seal. The fire seemed to originate from a location a quarter of the way in from the passenger bumper about as far back as the tire. Since this incident happened within the last twelve hours I don't know what the cause could be. Our insurance agent's claims adjuster will be looking into this I'm sure. There doesn't appear to be any recall related to this issue. We had seven people in the car today including 3 children and 2 senior citizens. Luckily everyone was able to get out unharmed but we had no warning. Had we not been in a location where someone saw the fire and alerted us I don't know what would have happened. What can we do to find the cause and make sure it doesn't happen to someone else?