2003 GMC Envoy XL: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 228 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (22% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 228 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving the vehicle a strong odor of gas entering the cabin. Fill vehicle up and large amount of gas pours on the ground from under the vehicle. Closer inspection reveals the part that attaches to the gas tank is broken off causing vapors to escape and not providing a seal to contain the smell. While driving on the interstate at normal operating speed vehicle loses oil pressure causing it to drop to 0 and message appears to stop engine. Both incidents are safety hazards and can cause serious life an death incidents if issues are not addressed by the corporation. This occur on interstate 66 in washington, dc. Immediate recall of all vehicles from gmc neeeds to be initiated.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2020
“I was driving down the road when the car shut down everything I was scared because I had traffic right behind me going 45mph and then they car would not run again. I was right in the middle of an inter section at hall road and 59 it was the scariest thing that has happened to me. I bought this vehicle as a used auto and I'm not sure if the emmission system ever got changed and this happened once before and the dealer said not to drive with my house keys attached. I had to get the auto towed home.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2019
“When in park position heavy gas fumes coming from a leak at the top of the tank. You can visually see the gas stains on the sides and bottom of tank.when rolling to a stop the fumes return.I'm getting headaches and burning of my eyes and throat.I checked my VIN for recalls, the parts involved are #14423c fuel tank inlet check valve fracture,and #07076a fuel tank modular reservoir assembly corrosion #12166 fuel filler neck..I'm afraid every time I drive it that I could be bodily harmed at any given moment, a spark,someone flicking a cigarette,a accident, anything that would trigger a spark.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving on the highway at 65 mph, the third row floor got really hot and my children were saying their feet were really hot and we smelled something like plastic melting and my 15 year old cousins boot melted and the carpet melted and you can see metal. Once we arrived home the blinker stayed on and did not shut off until the battery died. Just before this happed the vehicle lost power and my husband had to put his foot on the gas all the way.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy xl. The contact noticed a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to manfredi chevrolet (2519 hylan blvd, staten island, ny 10306, (347) 979-0291) per an unknown recall regarding the fuel tank. The contact was informed that the failure was not related to the recall. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2017
“The rear passenger door stop closing ....the latch is broken ...they had a recall on this in 2005 but claim it's close now what can I do?”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy xl. The contact stated that the filler pipe was fractured and caused the bladder to leak. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the bladder and filler neck needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy xl. While driving 30 mph, the fuel gauge fluctuated and failed to properly display the amount of fuel in the tank. The lack of fuel caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy xl. While the vehicle was stationary, the engine warning indicator remained illuminated. It was diagnosed that the fuel tank fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2016
“My vehicle was sitting in the drive way and a loud shattering noise was heard from the house and went outside to look at what it was and noticed that my back window of my vehicle was in a million pieces on the ground and all over my vehicle and in my car seats for my children. The blower motor for the front control quite working a week ago and the right back door will not latch.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCH THAT MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SPLASH, SUCH AS WATER AND ROAD SALT. THESE VEHICLES WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ALONG THE LOWER PART OF THE ROCKER PANEL TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF CORROSIVE MATERIAL, AND INSPECT THE REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCHES. FUNCTIONAL LATCHES WILL BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. NON-FUNCTIONING LATCHES WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Envoy XL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 GMC Envoy XL reliable?
NHTSA has 228 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 GMC Envoy XL. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Envoy XL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 GMC Envoy XL have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.