1) I just purchased the vehicle in Oct 2026 & 3 days after purchase, it broke down in Walmart parking lot due to, all the antifreeze pouring out. 2) December 2026 had to replace the front tires as they were stripped to the threads from rubbing against the fender wells. 3) January 2026 Wouldn’t start, wouldn’t turn over or anything. Had the ignition replaced. Ran fine for one week. 4) Currently won’t start. Broke down.
The worst 2005 GMC Envoy 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 system226
- Electrical183
- Lights45
- Engine41
- Airbags28
- Acceleration22
- Transmission18
- Visibility17
- Body16
- Brakes16
- Steering11
- Suspension7
- Locks5
- Seats5
- Seat belts4
- Tires3
- Driver assistance2
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 GMC Envoy
Fuel gauge 187Headlights 58Stalling 39Check engine light 31Fire or smoke 13Fuel pump 13No deployment 12Wipers 9Door locks 8Won't start 8Brake failure 7ABS 6Engine failure 6Overheating 6
Trouble codes owners of the 2005 GMC Envoy mention
P0463 3
Recalls 2
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
- Risk
- If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
- Remedy
- Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1‑877‑477‑1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.
Recall number 06V417000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, 'windshield mounting.' the windshield urethane bead may not have adhered to the body in certain areas during the cure process.
- Risk
- If a crash occurs, the windshield may not be retained, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the windshield free of charge. The recall began on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V035000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2005 GMC Envoy
Defect 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
Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
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 2005 GMC Envoy 729
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire...
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding...
2005 GMC Envoy fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 13-14 | 18-20 | 15-16 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13-14 | 19 | 15-16 |
| 4.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 12-14 | 17-19 | 14-16 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 13-14 | 17-18 | 15 |
What 2005 GMC Envoy owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owned a 2005 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle driven by a drunk driver swerved into the front of the vehicle, causing a front collision. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact hit his face again on the steering wheel, but did not seek medical assistance. The contact's wife, who was occupying the front passenger seat and wearing a seat belt, was severely injured and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact's wife was diagnosed by a trauma surgeon. The contact's wife was diagnosed with a fractured right knee cap, right ankle bone chips and ligament damage, damaged left toes, a double bone bruise in the left knee, bruised seat belt mark. The contact's wife was hospitalized for 6 days and was admitted to a rehabilitation facility for 11 days. The contact stated that his wife was currently confined to a wheelchair. The contact's wife was currently awaiting a knee replacement. The vehicle was towed and totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.
On steering wheel where the GMC logo is . Melted/Melting from underneath. Some type of clear color gooey. Have been told it is seal for airbag. Also none of the chimes are not working at all example * seat belts, door,blinkers,dashboard chimes *dummy lights*,along with Bose stereo. Last issues are REAR VIEW MIRROR... KEEPS FALLING OFF. have taken to dealership SEVERAL TIMES! Now they are saying that I need to contact my auto insurance provider to put in claims.
The driver side window control caught fire, while the vehicle was sitting overnight. It was sitting by itself without reason to catch fire, but it did burn inside the driver side door.
Unknown All the cluster panels quite working. RPM, Speed, Oil, Water, Gas shows always empty. Danger because have to guess my speed and never know if I have enough gas, oil, or water in my car. Also sometimes when I shut off my car I cannot get the key out of the steering column. Cannot leave my car without my keys.
i was driving down hwy then all of a sudden i see n my rear view mirror that im dragging my passenger side quarter panel .. so i pulled off then took the rest of quarter panel off .. start driving again then i keep hearing the same noise .. i pulled off again & noticed that the tread on my tire had completely peeled off the tire itself.. tire still is hiolding air … i cant fathom the idea how it did this.. the body of my car rear passenger side is completely demolished..
The contact owned a 2005 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH the entire dashboard illuminated and needles on gauges had begun to move independently. The contact heard an abnormal "popping" sound from the front end of the vehicle and gray smoke was emitted from under the hood, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull off of the roadway and placed the vehicle into park (P) with difficulty. The contact exited the vehicle and moved away towards the rear end. The contact stated that she noticed flames under the vehicle located at the front end. The contact stated that within 3 minutes of observing the flames under the vehicle, the entire front end became engulfed by flames. The police and fire department arrived on the scene. The contact stated that the fire department used a chemical to extinguish the flames, the contact stated that the flames had burned not only the front end and front tires but the front part of the passenger cabin including the seats. The contact stated that the highway patrol wrote a report and had been informed by the fire department that the fire appeared to have been caused by the electrical system. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I purchased my vehicle in oct of 2021 in Nov 2021 is when my car started failing my car started to lose power also started smoking from the lower passenger side no warning lights came on besides the oil warning light since Nov 2021 my car has been losing power it only goes up to about 40 m.p.h I have been smelling fuel coming from some where my tail and license plate light and back driver side inside car light stopped working the engine light turns on and off the steering wheel makes the car lose a little bit of power when I turn the wheel or when I roll up and down the windows or adjust my seat my ac does not work the back ac turns on by it's self to the heater does not work when I have it turned all the way to the 5 I hear clicking knocking noises in the back passenger side of the car my fuel injectors had puddles of oil in them the car gets really hot and blows hot air the engine is always hot the seatbelt lights are constantly flashing my check engine light as of today flashes on and off and the car jumps also my car caught on fire under the hood where the O2 sensor is started smoking than caught on fire.
My brother was driving down the street, no bumps no potholes, both side airbags just deployed for no reason at all.
All the gages have stopped working correctly. They do not report proper information to driver . The electrical wiring to the rear wiper, license plate lights and rear hatch stopped working. The most dangerous thing is the ABS brake system dash lights and bell comes on every time the car is driven and the brake pedal goes to the floor when trying to stop.
Compare the 2005 GMC Envoy
Other model years
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Questions about the 2005 GMC Envoy
Is the 2005 GMC Envoy reliable?
Owners have filed 488 complaints about the 2005 GMC Envoy, 1.4 times a typical Envoy model year.
What is the 2005 GMC Envoy year score?
The 2005 GMC Envoy scores 63 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Envoy: 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 2005 GMC Envoy?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 226 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles. Next is electrical (183).
How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Envoy have?
2 recalls, covering air bags and visibility.
What gas mileage does the 2005 GMC Envoy get?
Official estimates for the 2005 GMC Envoy range from 14 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13-14 city and 18-20 highway.
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