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2006 GMC Envoy XL problems

The most common problem on the 2006 GMC Envoy XL is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 57,500 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Envoy XL model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
81/100
Owner complaints
109
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
645
Worst area
Fuel system
Typical repair
$600

The worst 2006 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.

  • Fuel system
    71
  • Electrical
    23
  • Visibility
    8
  • Driver assistance
    5
  • Engine
    5
  • Body
    4
  • Lights
    4
  • Transmission
    3
  • Steering
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 GMC Envoy XL

Fuel gauge 56Check engine light 18Stalling 11Fuel pump 5

Recalls 5

Visibility: power window devices and controlsReported September 24, 2015 · 9,932 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy vehicles, and 2006 GMC Envoy XL and Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT vehicles. Fluid may enter into the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board, causing window switches to become inoperative. Previously, the affected vehicles may have had their master power window switch module treated with a protective coating, instead of having it replaced.
Risk
The protective coating may not eliminate the risk that the circuit board could short and result in a fire, even while the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new driver's door switch module, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 15700.

Recall number 15V599000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported August 14, 2015 · 429,170 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
Risk
Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

Recall number 15V519000 · Recall details

Visibility: power window devices and controlsReported July 2, 2014 · 184,611 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
Risk
A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in August 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 (Buick), 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC), 1‑800‑955‑9007 (SAAB), and 1‑800‑255‑6727 (Isuzu). GM's number for this recall is 14309. NOTE: This recall provides a new remedy for all vehicles covered by recall 13V‑248. Vehicles whose modules were modified but not replaced as part of the previous recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign.

Recall number 14V404000 · Recall details

Visibility: power window devices and controlsReported June 13, 2013 · 193,652 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
Risk
A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Remedy
Owners will be contacted and dealers will test the driver's door module. If the module is functioning properly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning properly, it will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners, Isuzu and Saab will contact their respective owners. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Chevrolet owners at 1‑866‑694‑6546, GMC owners at 1‑866‑996‑9463, Isuzu owners at 1‑800‑255‑6727, and Saab owners at 1‑800‑955‑9007. GM's campaign number is 12180. This recall is an expansion of recall 12V‑406.

Recall number 13V248000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported October 5, 2005 · 123,592 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid.
Risk
If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727, or hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493.

Recall number 05V455000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2006 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

Driver's Master Power Window SwitchOpened June 11, 2012, closed June 21, 2013

On August 15, 2012 General Motors (GM) announced a regional recall action (12V‑406) involving model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and MY2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the salt belt states of 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. The recall remedy requires the inspection and repair or replacement of the master power window switch, which GM refers to as a driver door module (DDM). At the same time, GM implemented a special coverage program to replace failed DDMs for vehicles registered outside of these states. ODI was not satisfied with GM's exclusion of non-salt belt vehicles and continued its investigation. On June 13, 2013, GM submitted a related recall notification (13V‑248) to reclassify the initial special coverage program into a safety recall for vehicles that were not previously repaired under special coverage.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis EA12-004 on June 11, 2012 to further investigate allegations of DDM thermal incidents in model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. Thermal incidents involve cases where fire-related events such as smoke and melt are present. ODI has received 170 reports alleging a thermal event occurred. Complainants stated that the DDM melted and in some cases produced odor and/or smoke. Fourteen of these incidents led to a fire where visible flames were reported or the damage extended significantly beyond the DDM. In addition to the 170 reports listed above, ODI received 63 reports alleging the DDM acted erratically or became inoperative. In response to ODI's Information Request (IR), GM provided 619 unique consumer complaints that related to the alleged problem. Seventy-seven of those reports led to a fire with flame, and 4 reported injuries of smoke inhalation and/or slight burns from contact with hot switches. GM also submitted 20,400 warranty claims for replacement of the DDM, most of which involved inoperative switches. The problem condition is caused by fluids, such as rain water, entering the driver's door module and subsequently causing corrosion that could result in an electrical short in the printed circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. However, the electrical short may also cause overheating that could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke or in some cases fire with flame. The circuit board was redesigned and GM implemented the new design into vehicle production on May 14, 2007. All failures cited above occurred in vehicles produced before this build date (i.e., with the original design DDM). GM also reported that all MY 2006-2007 GMT360/370 platform vehicles and MY 2005 SAAB 9-7x vehicles utilized the same DDM and therefore ODI expanded the subject population to include these vehicles.This investigation is closed on the basis of GM's announcement of safety recalls 12V‑406 and 13V‑248. The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference, see the attached list for ODI numbers.

EA12004

Fuel Level Gauge System FailureOpened January 7, 2010, closed May 23, 2011

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

DP10001

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 GMC Envoy XL 645

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

See all 645 bulletins for the 2006 GMC Envoy XL

What 2006 GMC Envoy XL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 30, 2019 · Airbags, Body · 160,000 miles · MI · crash · 3 injuries

On highway us-31 in muskegon county michigan, vehicle (envoy) was at almost a complete stop for a vehicle stopped ahead when struck from behind by another vehicle travelling at 70+ MPH. The envoy was then pushed into the vehicle in front of the envoy. The envoy suffered major rear end damage and severe front end damage. None of the front airbags deployed. Both front driver and passenger seatbelts did not restrain. The seatbelts stretched out to their limit. Both front driver's seat and passenger seat twisted inwards toward the console. Severe bodily injuries occurred. On 08/23/2018, gmc was made aware of this. A case was opened. The event data recorder was recovered by gmc. The edr showed the impact velocity, non-deployment of airbags and non-restraint of seatbelts. Gmc then closed the case stating that because there was no traumatic brain injury, there would be no further investigation or compensation. The 2006 gmc envoy was deemed a total loss by the auto insurer.

Filed May 7, 2019 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · OH

Steering wheel locks. It cannot be turned to the right as it will cause the entire care to swerve. When reversing the car turns in the opposite direction of where you are turning. I'm backing into traffic and have to manually pull the steering wheel as if there is a power steering issue. Engine light came on day after purchase indicating I need catalyst converter and sensor. No way to predict which way the car will turn. If I hit a bump the car swerves to the right causing me to swerve into next lane. In motion I am constantly swerving into danger.

Filed May 1, 2019 · Electrical · 198,000 miles · AL

2006 gmc envoy engine shuts off while driving code po601 find out it's the PCM

Filed Feb 5, 2018 · Lights, Suspension · 189,000 miles · PA · crash

I purchased this vehicle with new tires on it. Excessive tire wear was starting on the drivers side tire before the year mark of me purchasing it. There was no recalls open on that time that we could find. I have had to replace the fog lights on several occasions. It had electrical short that no one seemed to find and there was no way to locate without expensive diagnostic time. When I went to the dealer about recalls they informed me the only open was a window switch. After a front end accident at 30 MPH the tire blew out on the drivers side on impact. I was informed in my estimate that there was a open recall which could lead to incorrect rim selection / tires for the car causing air leakage and possible accident. If I had known this before hand maybe this could have been prevented!

Filed Nov 27, 2017 · Body, Visibility · 161,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 gmc envoy xl. The contact stated that the front driver's side door switch failed. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v599000 (visibility). The vehicle was taken to city buick gmc (43-60 northern blvd, long island city, ny 11101 at (347) 670-4210) and repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the frontal driver's side door switch was inoperable. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic for a second opinion where it was diagnosed that the module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.

Filed May 6, 2017 · Driver assistance, Engine · 181,000 miles · NC

I am so sick of my 06 gmc envoy xl. I truly give up. I had the stabilitrak and reduced engine light come on my car for five months. I have replaced the steering wheel sensor, the throttle body, and had the relearn the idle thing done, to no avail. This makes my fourth time going to the dealer, because I thought they could fix it. I have always bought gm. If god blesses me with another opportunity to buy a car, it will not be a gm. It throws my car off. I've had to pull over and start the car over a thousand times. I've seen many forums online about this problem, but there is no recall? I've even called gm. I still had to pay money. Resetting the computer has done absolutely nothing. Just wanted to rant, because besides giving me some of my money back (to the tune of a grand), what can I do?

Filed Sep 13, 2016 · Visibility · 170,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 gmc envoy xl. The contact stated that the front driver side power window switch failed to operate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v404000 (visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v599000 (visibility). The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Electrical · 123,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 gmc envoy xl. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. In order to restart the vehicle, the contact would have to jumpstart the battery. Shortly after charging the battery, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Fuel system · 166,572 miles · MO

Driving on the highway after putting fuel in and fuel gauge suddenly shows empty and my vehicle stalled. The fuel guage would then show full at times then empty. Now it shows empty all the time and has stalled 3 more times while driving in traffic.

Filed Dec 3, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 115,000 miles · OH

All exterior lights flicker and fail intermittently, usually while decelerating, or applying brakes. Has been happening for 18 months. Current mileage 155,000

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Other model years

2002200320042006

Questions about the 2006 GMC Envoy XL

Is the 2006 GMC Envoy XL reliable?

Owners have filed 109 complaints about the 2006 GMC Envoy XL, fewer than a typical Envoy XL model year.

What is the 2006 GMC Envoy XL year score?

The 2006 GMC Envoy XL scores 81 out of 100 (good). 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 2006 GMC Envoy XL?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 71 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles. Next is electrical (23).

How many recalls does the 2006 GMC Envoy XL have?

5 recalls, covering visibility, exterior lighting and steering.

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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