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.
2003 GMC Envoy XL lights problems
16 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 74,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 74,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Turn signal4
- Brake lights3
- Headlights1
- Hazard flashing warning lights: switch1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
GMC Envoy XL lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 GMC Envoy XL lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- 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
Related investigations
Loss of Headlights
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
Brake lamp failure
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
What 2003 GMC Envoy XL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Headlight switch overheated and caused circuit panel to catch on fire.
My gmc envoy cluster ( speedometer ) is not working properly sometimes it moves and sometime it just sit on zero, even if going 65 miles an hour.. The exterior headlight shot off one night when I was driving home I can only drive with full light. My mechanic stated it was due to an electrical problems... Gmc needs to do some recalls on some issue on this truck... I have red similar issue with other truck owner.
To whom it may concern. 8/29/2012. I bought a used 2003 gmc envoy xl sle/slt and purchased the vehicle from sherman of skokie il. About this vehicle. The third brake light piece that covers the top of the rear window basically fell off the car on a windy day. The plastic piece that holds the third brake light broke leading to the entire piece falling off hanging by the 2 wires that connect for power. I live in algonquin il and recently have seen three other envoys with the same missing third light piece in a period of two weeks. I have looked up recalls for this vehicle but surprisingly have found none. Knowing I have personally seen several envoys with the same missing third light piece I think there needs to be a recall. Not only is this a safety hazard but it's the law to have a third brake light in illinois. I have not brought to a dealer since there was not a recall and I do not have the out of pocket cash to pay for this to be fixed. Respectfully I would like this third brake light piece replaced and fixed at no cost to me. I do have the third light piece that fell off to give back to you so you can inspect it. I would like this fixed within 30 days of receiving this letter. I would appreciate your prompt response to this safety hazard and thank you for your time. This is the letter I sent gmc and they said there is nothing they can do!
Exterior headlamps shut off while driving occasionally. Now I can not get them to come back on.
I purchased my 2003 gmc envoy xl in 2008 from a ny dealer with 60,000 miles on it, the car didn't register any accidents with carfax. The day after I purchased the car my battery went dead and I was stranded at 7am with my kids. The dealer paid for the tow and replaced the battery. A year later while driving to my sons basketball game at night, the headlights completely shut off. I pulled over and used my hazards, my son inspected the lights and could smell something was burning..the driver side headlight wire was burnt badly. We replaced the light and the wiring. The next day not only did the lights shut off again while driving at night, but I couldn't put my window up! The driver side window panel did not work, but the other windows worked fine. I paid $400 to have the panel replaced. (now the seat adjustment panel is not working on the driver side) the battery has been replaced 3 times in 3 years! When ever I would use the window, or the heat vent, or the charger inlets in my car the headlights would flicker dim. My mechanic did a amps check while my phone was plugged in,car was running,radio on, and heater on and stated the amps were fine, until I hit the window button, then the amps went way down. Cost to replace alternator $350.00, that was in 2010, so far in 2011 I have awoken 3 mornings in a row to a dead car. I sat in the car with car off, doors locked one night to see what goes on over night..well the alarm sensor button didn't stop blinking red, the seat adjustments kept moving every 4 mins, the rearview mirrors were moving non stop, and the horrible beeping sound inside the car was non stop! The radio dash didn't shut off either, it was piping hot after a half hour of sitting.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy xl. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she noticed that her headlights would go out and not come back on. The failure occurred three times. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who informed the contact that she needed to replace the socket and wiring to the headlight which melted the terminal. The headlamp socket and wiring were replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
In six years my 2003 envoy has had nothing but electrical issues. My lights are constantly being replaced. My head light wiring has shorted out and now the whole wiring connection needs replaced. The latest is an electrical system problem that is draining my battery and not allowing it to properly charge.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy xl. While driving approximately 40 MPH the turn signal was activated; however, the emergency hazard lights illuminated instead of the turn signal. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure which continued to occur intermittently. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer twice with no resolution. The manufacturer advised the contact that his VIN was not included in recall, the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v527000, exterior lighting, brake lights. The failure mileage was 35,000. The current mileage was 68,000.
While driving @ 35 MPH I noticed a very loud rattle and heard a noise looking in my rearview mirror a saw the whole plastic top that fits over the hatch back and houses the third brake light, fly off into the air and land in the other lane of traffic. It ripped the brake light wire right out. Luckily no one was coming around the turn at the time. Had to stop traffic to get it out of the road. This is a busy side road that comes to a stop light.
Questions about the 2003 GMC Envoy XL lights
Does the 2003 GMC Envoy XL have lights problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the lights of the 2003 GMC Envoy XL, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Envoy XL lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 74,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 GMC Envoy XL lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V527000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Envoy XL have the most lights problems?
The GMC Envoy XL model years with the most lights complaints are 2003 (16 complaints), 2004 (12 complaints) and 2002 (11 complaints).
Other 2003 GMC Envoy XL problems
Fuel system 63Electrical 53Visibility 29Body 22Engine 18Transmission 18Locks 15Airbags 11Acceleration 8Suspension 7Steering 6Tires 5Wheels 3Brakes 2Seat belts 2Seats 2Driver assistance 1
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