My windshield wipers come on when you start the car, or when you just click the switch to put windows up, but the wiper switch is off. The wipers stay operating from 5 to 10 minutes before they shut off, and I am concerned the windshield and/or wipers may become damaged. This issue has just started to occur within the last week. There have been no warning messages of any type displayed.
2003 GMC Envoy visibility problems
40 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 40
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 75,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Windshield wiper/washer: motor7
- Windshield wiper/washer6
- Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior3
- Power window devices and controls3
- Glass, side/rear3
- Windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1
- Rearview mirrors/devices1
- Rear window wiper/washer: motor1
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 visibility problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 GMC Envoy visibility
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- 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
Related investigations
Windshield wiper failure
On september 17, 2003, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-042) to investigate alleged windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 2002 and 2003 chevrolet trailblazer and trailblazer ext, gmc envoy and envoy xl, and oldsmobile bravada vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on january 6, 2004, and the scope was expanded to include certain my 2003 isuzu ascender vehicles.all subject vehicles are built on general motors? Gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the family design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsense automatic moisture sensitive wipers).water enters the windshield wiper module causing the electrical components on the control circuit board to corrode and short out, thus rendering the wiper motor/module inoperative.in november 2002, gm introduced into vehicle production a redesigned windshield wiper assembly referred to as the ?global? Design module (p/n 15094704 base, p/n 15094705 for vehicles equipped with rainsense) to better control water intrusion.odi has received a total of 1,179 non-duplicative owner and field reports alleging windshield wiper failure on vehicles originally equipped with the ?family? Design module.by letter dated february 2, 2004, gm has notified odi that it will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency recall no. 04v‑046).accordingly, this investigation is closed.
EA04002
Windshield wiper failure
The subject vehicles (chevrolet trailblazer (ext), gmc envoy (xl), and oldsmobile bravada) are built on the gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the ?family? Design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsense automatic moisture sensitive wipers).the windshield wiper assembly is located inside the plenum at the base of the windshield and is mounted on an incline approximately equal to the rake of the windshield.gm reports that vehicles are subject to a quality assurance water test at the assembly plant.the test exposes the vehicles to an amount of water that exceeds the plenum?s capability to divert water away from the wiper module, allowing water to rise to a level that exceeds the height of the windshield wiper motor cover vent hole.water enters through the vent hole then flows down to the bottom of the module and pools causing the electrical components on the control circuit board to corrode and short out, thus rendering the wiper motor/module inoperative.on november 2, 2002 gm introduced into vehicle production a redesigned windshield wiper assembly referred to as the ?global? Design module (p/n 15094704 base, p/n 15094705 for vehicles equipped with rainsense) that uses a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane covered vent hole to control water intrusion.there are a total of 1,172 non-duplicative owner and field reports alleging windshield wiper failure, two vehicle crashes allegedly caused by windshield wiper failure, and 43,219 warranty claims for windshield wiper assembly or wiper control module replacement on vehicles originally equipped with the ?family? Design module.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea04-002) to further study the scope and safety consequences of this issue.
PE03042
What 2003 GMC Envoy owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Back door latches sticking/very hard to open and at times won’t open at all. Visibility from wipers is very limited and not good. Rear exterior lights at times flicker and bulbs come loose at times
While operating vehicle, windshield wipers will come on without warning and cannot be turned off with the standard wiper controls. Is necessary to pull the wiper fuse to stop the wipers. If caught in a rain shower while in traffic with fuse pulled, have no way to turn on wipers. Very dangerous. This was addressed in the federal safety agency reference #04v046000, but our VIN was not included. Because of the danger, will have to repair at my expense.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy. While driving at 65 MPH, the instrument cluster became inoperable. The contact stated that the window switches also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
My car started going nuts the wipers wouldnt turn off the seats wont move the doors wont lock the heaters off and hot air comes out tru ventilatos.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy. The contact stated that the windshield wipers activated independently impairing their vision. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the windshield assembly needed to be replaced. The failure had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
Driving at approx. 2:30 pm in intermittently rainy conditions- I suddenly found myself unable to control my vehicle and had trouble seeing my surroundings even though I had new rain-x wipers on. While I applied the brakes they did not work as effectively as they should. Additionally, after the first and second impact (multiple vehicles were involved)- no air bags deployed. I was the only person in the vehicle and still the drivers side air bag did not deploy. Resulted in two fatalities in another vehicle while I suffered a head injury, facial fractures that required surgery, and a broken collar bone from the seat belt that I could not afford the medical intervention required for repair.
After six months having purchased this used vehicle from a local dealer, I noticed that the driver's door was not working properly, nor were the power window devices, controls, power locks and also the visibility of driver's rear window. I noticed that the door would overheat and sometimes I can smell an odor similar to when something is burning. I have taken the vehicle to a mechanic and finding the solution to the problem has been difficult. On june 2013, I read on the msn website that the gmc envoys for 2006 and 2007 were being recalled (recall #13v248000) in regards to driver's master power window switch. Since I am having this same problem, with my 2003 envoy, I called gmc and explained to her that I am having that same issue with my 2003 envoy. She indicated that gmc would pay for the diagnostic fee labor even though my car's mileage was not under warranty and that the recall was only for 2006 & 2007 envoys. She connected me to [xxx] for an appt. With balise the following day. She assigned a case number 71-1219059371. The following day, august 28, 2013, I went to my appointment at 11 am. And left my car. About an hour later, I get a call from gmc indicating to me that she was sorry, but that gmc could not cover the cost of diagnostic fee labor. I said, "that is not what you told me yesterday" and she replied, "I am sorry, I was not authorized to tell you that". I said to her, "I wouldn't have taken time off from work, ask for a ride, be without transportation if you had told me that before". I also said to her, "how can you tell me you are covering the cost yesterday and today change your mind". All she responded was, "I am sorry". I asked to speak to her supervisor by the name of [xxx] and the supervisor just said that her employee was not authorized to say to me that gmc would cover the cost. I still have the same safety issue.
Opened up side rear window and fell out luckily I was parked and just getting ready to leave.
Rear wiper runs continually. Replaced switch on dash but that did not solve problem. Continual movement of the wiper blade is distracting to normal driving.
Questions about the 2003 GMC Envoy visibility
Does the 2003 GMC Envoy have visibility problems?
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 GMC Envoy, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Envoy visibility problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 GMC Envoy visibility?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V046000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Envoy have the most visibility problems?
The GMC Envoy model years with the most visibility complaints are 2002 (52 complaints), 2003 (40 complaints) and 2006 (34 complaints).
Other 2003 GMC Envoy problems
Fuel system 94Electrical 77Airbags 37Transmission 37Engine 35Body 33Brakes 26Lights 26Suspension 19Seat belts 15Steering 15Acceleration 10Locks 10Tires 4Seats 3Driver assistance 2Wheels 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 GMC Envoy?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history