2003 GMC Envoy XL problems
Owners have filed 296 complaints about the 2003 GMC Envoy XL with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 18.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 17.6%.
Complaints296
Crashes17
Fires4
Injuries61
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 18.2% · 54
Fuel system, gasoline 17.6% · 52
Visibility 9.1% · 27
Structure 7.4% · 22
Power train 6.4% · 19
Exterior lighting 6.1% · 18
Latches/locks/linkages 5.1% · 15
Engine and engine cooling 4.4% · 13
Severity
Of those complaints, 17 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire, 61 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 4 model years of the GMC Envoy XL in this data, 2003 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 12 in the last three years against 27 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 81,324 miles.
In owners' own words
Dash indicator lights come on, then goes off. This problem occurs even while driving and the vehicle is warm. This is a scary thing not knowing if the air bag is going to shoot out while you are driving. My kids drive this Envoy XL, and to think that they may get hurt not by another driver but by the vehicle they are driving. This is like russian roulette. Do someone have to get hurt before you fix this. Electrical system · reported at 84,000 miles
The speedometer, gas gauge, and oil pressure gauge first started fluctuating then eventually stopped working completely. The drivers door panel has completely went out. It smelt like something was burning but there wasn't a fire. I've had both situations checked out and the mechanic states this is very common in the envoys and trailblazers but it is still at my expense. Electrical system · reported at 122,000 miles
Erratic speedometer problems on my 2003 GMC Envoy XL. It has been acting up occasionally for several years, but now it sometimes will totally malfunction and either bottom out at zero, or register too high, it is just not working properly. I have done some research and found that this is a common issue for GMC vehicles of this time frame, and envoys are one of the worst. Electrical system · reported at 102,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…