NHTSA has 624 owner complaints on file for the 2003 GMC Envoy[1]. The electrical system is named in 131 of them[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.
- Electrical System. 131 complaints[2]. Owners describe dash lights flickering, remotes and seat settings acting up, warning lights that stay on, and stalling that came back after repair visits. One story tells of a wiring fault that led to a fire.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. 115 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe a gas pump nozzle that shuts off again and again, fuel spilling at the pump, and a strong gasoline smell. Others tell of a car that would not start and a fuel leak under the vehicle.
- Visibility. 59 complaints[6]. Owners describe wipers that quit in the rain, wipers that run on their own, and wiper motors replaced more than once. Wind noise at the side windows also comes up.
- Structure. 55 complaints[7].
- Power Train. 55 complaints[8]. In the stories we read, owners describe a four wheel drive warning light that came on early in the life of the vehicle. Another owner describes the vehicle rolling back on a hill.
- Engine. 53 complaints[9].
- Air Bags. 49 complaints[10], and 35 of them mention a crash[10].
- Exterior Lighting. 42 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2003 Envoy is necessarily included.
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (05V494), October 2005. About 98,007 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury.[12]
- Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal (05V198), May 2005. About 286,478 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights (04V527), November 2004. About 871,473 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking.[14]
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer (04V046), February 2004. About 581,394 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility.[15]
- Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual (03V250), July 2003. About 1,707,825 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.[16]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (03V151), April 2003. About 44,653 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking.[17]
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission (03V075), March 2003. About 511,167 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: steering problems.[18]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (03V051), February 2003. About 130 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.[19]
- Air Bags › Frontal (02V222), August 2002. About 133,221 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.[20]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Envoy 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] | 14 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 |
| Envoy XL 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[21] | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 |
| Envoy XL 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[22] | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| Envoy 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[23] | 13 / 19 / 15 | $4,450 |
| Envoy XL 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[24] | 13 / 19 / 15 | $4,450 |
| Envoy XL 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[25] | 13 / 16 / 14 | $4,800 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR None[26] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 3 | n/a |
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None[27].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENVOY SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 2WD[28] | 192 in | 74 in | 72 in | 113 in | 4,442 lb |
| ENVOY SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 4WD[29] | 192 in | 74 in | 72 in | 113 in | 4,627 lb |
| ENVOY XL SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 2WD[30] | 208 in | 75 in | 75 in | 129 in | 4,837 lb |
| ENVOY XL SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 4WD[31] | 208 in | 75 in | 75 in | 129 in | 5,020 lb |
How 2003 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 557 | 15 |
| 2003 | 624 | 9 |
| 2004 | 704 | 2 |
| 2005 | 511 | 2 |
| 2006 | 587 | 8 |
| 2007 | 253 | 5 |
| 2008 | 77 | 0 |
| 2009 | 17 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Envoy show 624 complaints and 9 recalls for 2003[3]. Among the 8 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2003 and 1 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2009 (17) and the most are for 2004 (704)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2003 Envoy?
The 2003 Envoy has a long record with NHTSA, with 624 complaints in all[1]. Electrical and fuel system trouble lead the list[2][5]. Some reports mention crashes, fires or injuries, so they deserve a careful look[1]. These are unverified owner reports, so check the recalls section on this page, since the by-year facts show recalls exist for this model year[3]. A pre-purchase inspection that looks at the electrical and fuel systems is a sensible step.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Envoy?
- Electrical system complaints lead with 131[2], followed by the gasoline fuel system with 115[5]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Does the 2003 GMC Envoy have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show recalls on file for this model year[3]. The recalls section on this page lists them.
- How many complaints are there for the 2003 GMC Envoy?
- NHTSA has 624 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2003 GMC Envoy?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the GMC Envoy
Compare all model years of the GMC Envoy
Similar cars from 2003: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 624 owner complaints on file for the 2003 GMC Envoy (53 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 64 injuries, 5 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 131 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 6 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Envoy model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Envoy 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 115 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 59 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 55 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 55 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,050). NHTSA vehicle records
- 53 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,801). NHTSA vehicle records
- 49 complaints name the air bags component group (35 crashes, 2 fires, 37 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 42 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 108,234). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 05V494, filed October 27, 2005: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 05V198, filed May 5, 2005: Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V527, filed November 1, 2004: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V046, filed February 4, 2004: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V250, filed July 15, 2003: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V151, filed April 23, 2003: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V075, filed March 6, 2003: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V051, filed February 14, 2003: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V222, filed August 9, 2002: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Envoy XL 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Envoy XL 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Envoy 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Envoy XL 4WD, 4.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Envoy XL 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 3 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENVOY SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 2WD: length 192 in, width 74 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,442 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENVOY SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 4WD: length 192 in, width 74 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,627 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENVOY XL SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 2WD: length 208 in, width 75 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 129 in, curb weight 4,837 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENVOY XL SLE/SLT 4DR SUV 4WD: length 208 in, width 75 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 129 in, curb weight 5,020 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov