I have owned this vehicle for a year and it's had constant issue with low beam lightning. We replaced the relay thinking it was the problem but mechanic said it was an issue with this model. This car was mfg 1/08 and I honestly think it was assembled with the 2017 parts that were recalled.
2008 GMC Envoy lights problems
17 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 142,000.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical mileage
- 142,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
GMC Envoy lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 GMC Envoy lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
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
What 2008 GMC Envoy owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My hedlights is not working.at night time while I am driving.
I was driving at night and my low beam headlamps went out. They just went off. Panicking, I pulled off the road and tried turning them off and on. Testing, my high beams worked, but my lows were off. I turned the car off and waited a few minutes. Once turned back on, my lights worked. This the first time this happened, this has happened multiple times and there is no rhyme or reason and you never know when it will happen. I have seen this same issue with a year earlier and wonder if the problem extends to newer models. This recall should be extended to 2008 as it appears my vehicle is having the same issues. I have had diagnostics and replaced headlamps...the problem persists.
I filed a complaint with the federal safety agency, complaint 10923972, on 11/3/2016 referencing my dim lights spontaneously going out at night driving down the highway. I had researched this problem and found there was a recall because of the headlamp driver module failing, but my 2008 gmc envoy was not included. I received a letter from gmc the end of may 2017 providing additional protection for this problem and it was worded "if this condition "occurs" on your 2008 gmc envoy within 12 years or 150,000 miles the condition would be repaired at no charge." when I received the may 2017 letter my vehicle had 152,000 miles on it but when I filed the complaint in november 2016 it had 142,000 miles on it. Gmc refused to repair my vehicle under the additional protection because of current mileage even though I had proof the condition "occurred" at 142,000 miles.
I received a letter from gmc in may stating there may be an issue with headlamp driver module (hdm) where the low beam headlamps will not work. At the time, my headlamps were working properly, so the letter advised me to not take my vehicle to my gmc dealer. However, two days ago my headlamps did not work at night while driving on the highway. This caused a severe safety issue as I could not see the road clearly. I took my vehicle and the letter I received to my gmc dealer. They advised me that gmc would not pay to fix the headlamp problem as I had more than 150,000 miles in a situation where customer safety is involved, I believe gmc should pay for the repairs. I had to pay for the repairs out-of-pocket. I strongly believe that this should be a safety recall notice initiated by the manufacturer to correct this issue. We should not have to wait for multiple accidents and traffic fatalities to prompt a recall for an important safety feature on a vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc envoy. When the contact started the vehicle, the low beam headlights did not work. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven home using the high beams. The contact also stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure two other times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but no failures were found. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc envoy. On several occasions while driving at night, the low beam headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the headlamp module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
While operating the 2008 gmc envoy on an interstate I observed what appeared to be a lack of light when the low beam headlights were turned on. I drove to a rest area and confirmed that the low beam headlights were inoperative. The bulbs were removed and both bulb filaments appeared intact. Fuses, breakers and relays were checked for secure seating. The high beam headlights were operative and all other lights functioned. I am aware of documentation that covers the issue but only up to the 2007 model year. There are other complaints on file describing similar issues. The unsafe condition that resulted was the absence of forward lighting while operating a motor vehicle during times that lighting should be used. It is my belief that a solid state relay, delco part number 15016745, in the #46 position in the engine compartment fuse panel, is apparently the cause of the lighting failure. No injuries, or damages resulted from the in operative low beam headlight issue.
My dim lights have quit working recently on my 2008 gmc envoy while driving down the highway. Has happened 4 times so far. Last time was 11/2/16. Bright lights still work. I found a gmc recall on years 2006-2007 ref the headlamp driver module which causes this problem. It seems they should include this year also. Extremely dangerous situation.
My dim lights have quit working recently while driving down the highway. Has happened 4 times so far. Last time was 11/2/16. Bright lights still work. I found a gmc recall on years 2006-2007 ref the headlamp driver module which causes this problem. It seems they should include this year also. Extremely dangerous situation.
Questions about the 2008 GMC Envoy lights
Does the 2008 GMC Envoy have lights problems?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the lights of the 2008 GMC Envoy, 22% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 GMC Envoy lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 142,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 GMC Envoy lights?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the GMC Envoy have the most lights problems?
The GMC Envoy model years with the most lights complaints are 2007 (55 complaints), 2006 (48 complaints) and 2005 (45 complaints).
Other 2008 GMC Envoy problems
Electrical 18Driver assistance 12Engine 12Suspension 7Brakes 6Airbags 5Seat belts 5Transmission 5Steering 3Visibility 2Wheels 2Acceleration 1Fuel system 1Locks 1Tires 1
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