2006 GMC Envoy XL: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 109 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (50% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Steering wheel locks. It cannot be turned to the right as it will cause the entire care to swerve. When reversing the car turns in the opposite direction of where you are turning. I'm backing into traffic and have to manually pull the steering wheel as if there is a power steering issue. Engine light came on day after purchase indicating I need catalyst converter and sensor. No way to predict which way the car will turn. If I hit a bump the car swerves to the right causing me to swerve into next lane. In motion I am constantly swerving into danger.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 gmc envoy xl. The contact stated that the front driver side power window switch failed to operate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14v404000 (visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v599000 (visibility). The failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 gmc envoy xl. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. In order to restart the vehicle, the contact would have to jumpstart the battery. Shortly after charging the battery, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving on the highway after putting fuel in and fuel gauge suddenly shows empty and my vehicle stalled. The fuel guage would then show full at times then empty. Now it shows empty all the time and has stalled 3 more times while driving in traffic.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2016
“Filled suv up at gas station. Gas gauge went to full. Proceeded out of gas station when the gas gauge went to empty, gas gauge will now not stay in one place, continues to act up and mostly stays on empty and the bell rings constantly. I am unable to determine how much fuel I have and concerned that the suv will think its out of gas and shut off.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2014
“Took vehicle in for recall for driver master switch. Window and door lock continue to fail intermittently even after dealer says he corrected recall. The vehicle has had a history of windows, door not working and has been at the dealership multiple times, please push gmc to fix this issue. The latest letter stating this vehicle may catch fire is very concerning.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 gmc envoy xl. The contact stated that the power windows and power locks failed intermittently. The contact also stated that the windshield wipers would independently operate when the switch was in the off mode. In addition, the contact smelled a burning odor. The dealer discovered that the window switch was burned. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v404000 (electrical system); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2014
“It had been raining all day. Ran errands and came home. After midnight, my windows wad halfway down and no power at all on drivers side. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2014
“2006 gmc envoy. Consumer writes in regards to electrical system failure. *smd the consumer stated when he/she initially took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall, there was no problem. Thirty days later, the recall work that was performed, malfunctioned. Also, there was a problem with the brake light system. Even after changing the bulb, the rear brake lights did not work even though the light on the hatch did. *jb the consumer stated as he entered the vehicle, while it was raining, water entered the door module, which caused it short out. Eventually, the left door lock and window controls, stopped working. Updated 06/23/14.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2014
“This problem is with the rear door 3rd brake light spoiler. Brackets holding it on broke.. Believe it to be a design fault after talking with junkyards and dealers about the problem. Junkyards tell me that is a big called for item, but it is dealer supplied only. Safety risk of it flying off and striking another vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy vehicles, and 2006 GMC Envoy XL and Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT vehicles. Fluid may enter into the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board, causing window switches to become inoperative. Previously, the affected vehicles may have had their master power window switch module treated with a protective coating, instead of having it replaced.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new driver's door switch module, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15700.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
Remedy: Owners will be contacted and dealers will test the driver's door module. If the module is functioning properly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning properly, it will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners, Isuzu and Saab will contact their respective owners. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463, Isuzu owners at 1-800-255-6727, and Saab owners at 1-800-955-9007. GM's campaign number is 12180. This recall is an expansion of recall 12V-406.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in August 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-955-9007 (SAAB), and 1-800-255-6727 (Isuzu). GM's number for this recall is 14309. NOTE: This recall provides a new remedy for all vehicles covered by recall 13V-248. Vehicles whose modules were modified but not replaced as part of the previous recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.
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 2006 GMC Envoy XL reliable?
NHTSA has 109 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 GMC Envoy XL. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (50% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 GMC Envoy XL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,125 miles or less.
Does the 2006 GMC Envoy XL have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:power window devices and controls. 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.