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Electrical system

2003 GMC Envoy Electrical problems

Owners have filed 136 complaints about the 2003 GMC Envoy's electrical system with NHTSA - 21% of all its complaints, most recently on March 12, 2026. They describe 3 crashes, 6 fires and 10 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
136
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Fires
6
Injuries
10
Deaths
0

Electrical complaints

Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while in drive(D), the vehicle shut off and then restarted. The message "Service Engine Soon" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who installed the original instrument cluster, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11723763
Electrical system

The car's gas gauge and fuel range indicator are problematic. The fuel gauge quickly drops from a higher reading, like 3/4 full, to empty. After this, the gauge and the fuel range both fluctuate while driving, making it impossible to determine the fuel level.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11671416
Electrical systemLights

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the headlights ceased to operate as needed. Upon taking the vehicle to a local Pep Boys, it was diagnosed that the electrical wiring harness was burned and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the bulbs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back the local Pep Boys, who replaced the electrical wiring harness and the bulbs a second time; however, the failure persisted. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11515670
Electrical systemAirbagsSeats & seat beltsFire

Vehicle caught fire under dash somewhere without vehicle being turned on.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · SeatsNHTSA 11289684
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11193870
Electrical system

The electric wiring for the windows and side mirrors will start making a clicking noise and when I put the key into the ignition and turn the key just one turn the front passenger window goes completely down and will not go back up until it is done clicking and turning the heated seats on and off. The regulator is not broke. Also the side mirrors even though they are programmed will sometimes just start moving and act like it cant move anymore and make a noise. The music and or radio will go out while its turned...

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on, it will cut in and out and then after driving a while it wont cut in and out. For the window to just roll down it usually happens after it sat all night. Wont go back up for at least 2 minutes and you can see the door lights flicker and click.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11164413
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlDriver assistance

The dash cluster does not work correctly, all the lights turn on and doors lock while I am driving on in town or on the highway , all the gauges come on at once while driving on the streets at random times.. The rear has airbags in the suspension and and aren't working properly, I took it to the shop and they said it had 30 codes on the diagnostic machine but they couldn't find the problem

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 11139929
Electrical systemLights

The lights come on by themselves and drains the battery. Two batteries have been installed. The car has had road service jump starts 3 times in 2 wks. The lights come on themselves when they'r'e off. The alternator was checked and is good. The vehicle was parked in a garage when this occurred and 1 time in a parking lot.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11119496
Electrical systemLightsEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · EngineNHTSA 11104092
Electrical systemLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the headlights failed to illuminate while driving at night. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11101469
Electrical systemAirbags

Air bag light stays on can not open rear door from inside of vehicle all 4 ciggerete lighters do not work drivers side window gets stuck going up and down. No manual enclosed witj purchse.

Filed Electrical system · Air bags · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11092085
Electrical system

All the electrical components go crazy. Speed-ometer works when it wants to just like the battery oil gas and temp gauge. The ac and heater have a mind of their own as well. Along with all the lights. Some times they work sometimes they dont

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11035218
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Car dies when driving, car wont start sometimes and hour or 2 later starts mechanic said alternator and battery are good, in parking lot and driving in the city

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11003993
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy. The contact stated that the power window and door controls malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new power switch. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10918512
Electrical systemLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy. While the vehicle was parked and turned off, the low beam head lamps continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000. ..Updated 10/18/16 *bf updated 03/09/17.*Jb

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10896829
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy. While at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. After repeated attempts, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the cylinder ignition switch was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,429. Updated 06/14/16*lj updated 06/30/16.*Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10860259
Electrical systemFuel system

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy 360. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the check engine and reduce power warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the accelerator pedal failed to respond. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it could not be diagnosed. No repairs were done. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10786526
Electrical systemAirbagsBody, doors & structureCrash1 injury

I was in a mva july 22, 2015 I was tboned on the drivers side and the went headon with a light pole and my airbags never deployed. I had many problems with the electrical in the truck since I purchased the truck. It was an as is with no warranty and I wasnt given any knowledge of problems or recalls. I suffered extensive injuries to my body and my truck was a total loss $10000 in damages to the vehicle.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · StructureNHTSA 10785134
Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy 360. The contact stated that the turn signals failed to work in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10749414
Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc envoy. While driving at 65 mph, the instrument cluster became inoperable. The contact stated that the window switches also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Incident Electrical system · VisibilityNHTSA 10745126
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire

I noticed a electrical burning smell while driving on a side street. The engine made an unusual noise so I pulled over, turned the car off and put on the hazard lights. While waiting for the tow truck, the car started with no key in the ignition. The car ran for a short time then stopped and attempted to restart itself about 5 times. Our mechanic took a look at it and said there had been a fire in the fuse box. I took pictures of the charred remains of the fuse box, cover and connectors. Most of the plastic...

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connectors under the fuse box could not be removed because they had melted and were fused onto the box. He noted the fire seemed to originate from fuse 46, the headlamp driver module. For the past few years, I had been experiencing headlight and tail light issues involving bulbs that were burning out frequently or were going out then coming back on.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10724178
Electrical systemAirbagsVisibility & wipers

My car started going nuts the wipers wouldnt turn off the seats wont move the doors wont lock the heaters off and hot air comes out tru ventilatos. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10702372
Electrical system

The fan blower for heat and air wouldn't cut off even with the key out of ignition. Also two coil packs went out within a month. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10701105
Electrical system

Mainly in wet weather, dashboard alerts chime and lights flash. Doesn't stop until weather is better. I'm afraid there is a short somewhere. Bought vehicle in december, 2013. Dealer won't help. I don't know what to do. Please advise. I can't find a recall regarding this. But have read several complaints and reviews with this same issue. I did not know about this when I bought it because it was winter at the time. Very frustrated and unhappy. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10669978
Electrical system

TRUCK SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10667634

GMC Envoy electrical complaints by year

Envoy electrical problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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