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2003 GMC Envoy XL visibility problems

29 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000.

owner complaints
29
of this car's complaints
13%
typical mileage
85,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Power window devices and controls
    5
  • Glass, side/rear
    4
  • Windshield wiper/washer
    3
  • Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
    2
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
    2
  • Rearview mirrors/devices
    1

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 visibility problems in other years

2002200320042006

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 GMC Envoy XL visibility

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Wipers 5

Related recalls

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

What 2003 GMC Envoy XL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 4, 2016 · Visibility · MN

My vehicle was sitting in the drive way and a loud shattering noise was heard from the house and went outside to look at what it was and noticed that my back window of my vehicle was in a million pieces on the ground and all over my vehicle and in my car seats for my children. The blower motor for the front control quite working a week ago and the right back door will not latch.

Filed Feb 11, 2015 · Visibility · MT

While opening my tailgate window to unload groceries, the glass exploded and shattered into tiny pieces. Other than a few scratches, I had no injuries despite glass raining down on me. I've read multiple accounts of this happening to other envoy owners. Gmc needs to do something about this before someone is seriously injured!

Filed Dec 13, 2014 · Visibility · 163,000 miles · IL

I went inside wal-mart for maybe 1/2 hour and when I came out the window was busted out. We thought some punk smashed the window so we called the police. They watched the video of the parking lot and they said that there was no one by the car when it happened. I don't see how it can just "magically" smash into thousands of pieces with no one around but after reading through other complaints I can see that I'm not alone. Of the 202 complaints on here there are 10 (this makes 11) incidences where this has happened and gmc is not recalling them? I just don't understand. It is going to cost me $500.00 for a brand new window and it is a week and a half before christmas. We tried to find one in the junkyards but they cost almost as much as a new one. I am so frustrated right now.

Filed Oct 20, 2014 · Visibility · 200,000 miles · NJ

I was opening the rear window to retrieve belongings when the window exploded glass fragments all over me as well as the inside and outside the vehicle. Fortunately, no one was hurt. This is very dangerous!

Filed Jul 5, 2014 · Visibility · 238,000 miles · MD · 1 injury

Following an independence day baseball game and fireworks display, I went to the parking lot to load my family and some personal belongings. I opened the rear hatch and felt a slight baulking on the right side. In the next fraction of a second a shot gun sound went off and the window exploded in my face raining heavy glass into the back of the car and the parking lot. Miraculously, I received only a minor cut across my eyebrow, but a large chunk was cut out of the thumb of my right hand for which I had to go to urgent care and may have to consult with a plastic surgeon as it heals/ scars in order to retain flexibility in my thumb.

Filed Dec 6, 2013 · Visibility · 137,000 miles · MO · 1 injury

On 12/5/2013, I left the schnucks grocery store around 4pm for home. When I arrived at home, I backed in the garage and my husband was waiting at the garage door for me so he could get the groceries. As I was getting out of my 2003 gmc envoy xl, my husband was getting the groceries and started to tell me something when all of a sudden I heard this extremely loud pop/explosion (like a gun shot) and glass shattered everywhere. I didn't know what happened and immediately asked my husband if he was ok. The shattered glass had cut him on his forehead. There was glass shattered everyone in the SUV, in my groceries, in the garage, in my husband's hoodie, and even on my 2013 charger next to it. The hinges were off to the side of the envoy with some hanging glass still attached. And what's even more shocking is that the rear broken window kept popping at the hinges and pieces of remaining glass would continue to break off and drop. I contacted gm about the vehicle to replace my window and to tell them what happened, but they said that since I have 137,000miles and had the vehicle ten years, it's out of warranty. I told them that was ridiculous because it should not matter whether it's out of warranty if the vehicle gm made is defective because there was nothing wrong with my envoy until now. I'm pursuing matters further so they have not heard the last from me. I would recommend to also contact the attorney general's office to file a complaint because gm has to be held accountable for their actions. I will also be contacting the president of the gm company because my husband could have been seriously hurt and they need to incur the costs of repairs, not me.

Filed Sep 1, 2013 · Body, Visibility · 95,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

I was dropping my boat off at the local storage yard where I keep it. I opened the rear hatch of my envoy to get a bucket out of the inside where I keep the boat's accessories.. The hatch was open for approximately 2 minutes when it exploded and rained glass all over me and into my right eye. It sounded like a shotgun went off, but I was the only person around. Approximately one year earlier, the chmsl plastic flew off on the highway almost hitting another car that swerved to avoid it behind me. This is a common problem as I have come to find out and gm has redesigned the back door . Mine sits in the driveway and I am not about to spend 700 on glass so it can happen again and possibly hurt someone else.

Filed Dec 14, 2012 · Body, Visibility · 125,311 miles · MN · 2 injuries

My 14 year old daughter and 11 year old son opened the rear glass hatch to grab a shopping bag out of the back. As the glass hatch opened it shattered spraying glass on both of them causing minor cuts to their face, hands scalp. I was just walking up to them with my 1 year old son and had glass flung onto us with no injuries.

Filed Jan 2, 2012 · Body, Visibility · 170,000 miles · MI

After unlocking and using the rear window glass multiple times daily, and twice earlier today, it exploded on the way up. This occurred within the first 1 inch of travel swinging up and rearward from being closed with very minimal manual force applied. The temperature today is 27deg.f , which is not the coldest use this vehicle has seen. There has not been any previous damage to the rear glass or gate, or anything in the rear of the vehicle. I write this at the advice of many online forum posts and complaints that I read through. I am hoping there is some time devoted by general motors to finding a solution to this. I just had to ride home with wife and 4 kids shivering because of this. There seem to be hundreds of these spontaneous occurrences happening in all types of climates and conditions, which is what convinced me I need to share my incident to fuel the cause. Thank god everyone is ok. It was cold and my kids had their hoods up and were looking down when this happened. This could have been much worse.

Filed Sep 20, 2010 · Body, Locks · 85,000 miles · MN

My 2003 gmc envoy xl sle has a latch problem on the back doors, it has already been fixed but isn't resolved and the driver headlamp constantly burns out, 3 times in the last 2 months. I called on a recall but there isn't one. Its going to cause an accident at some point. The last time I tried to fix it the socket was burnt and plastic melted, that could've caused a major fire. I am very unhappy and don't know what can be done here, im going to get in big trouble because I can't put in another bulb it will cause more fire.

Questions about the 2003 GMC Envoy XL visibility

Does the 2003 GMC Envoy XL have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 GMC Envoy XL, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 GMC Envoy XL visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 GMC Envoy XL visibility?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V046000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the GMC Envoy XL have the most visibility problems?

The GMC Envoy XL model years with the most visibility complaints are 2003 (29 complaints) and 2004 (10 complaints).

Other 2003 GMC Envoy XL problems

Fuel system 63Electrical 53Body 22Engine 18Transmission 18Lights 16Locks 15Airbags 11Acceleration 8Suspension 7Steering 6Tires 5Wheels 3Brakes 2Seat belts 2Seats 2Driver assistance 1

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