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Vehicle safety record

2004 GMC Envoy Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 374 complaints about the 2004 GMC Envoy with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (166) and the fuel system (70). Those complaints describe 25 crashes, 11 fires, 31 injuries and 1 death. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in February 2007 for the headlights. For comparison, the 2003 has 642 and the 2005 has 624.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Envoy year, for its age

#34 most complained-about 2004 vehicle

Complaints
374
Recalls
2
Crashes
25
Fires
11
Injuries
31
Deaths
1

Most common 2004 GMC Envoy problems

Share of all 374 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2004 GMC Envoy recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Exterior lighting: headlights

07E014000308 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain maxzone headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/no 335-1120l-as, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. During production the lamp housing shape deformed distorting the assembly angle of the reflector and influenced the aiming position. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
The risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on february 16, 2007. Owners may contact maxzone at 909-822-3288.

Exterior lighting: turn signal

05V198000286,478 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain trucks and sport utility vehicles, the driver wishing to signal a turn by moving the directional signal lever, (up or down) may cause the front marker/turn lights and rear turn lights to flash in a manner similar to hazard warning, rather than flashing on the desired side only.
The risk
The driver may not be able to clearly signal their intentions to turn, change travel lanes, or potentially warn others of an impaired vehicle operating condition increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the suspect flasher modules with a new flasher module designed with sealed relays and more durable contact material inside of the relays free of charge. The recall began on august 4, 2005. Isuzu began mailing owner letters on august 4, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, buick at 1-866-608-8080, and oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

What owners say

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374 complaints about the 2004 GMC Envoy

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 15.

Electrical systemFire

The contact owns a 2004 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the contact noticed that the front passenger's door was on fire. The contact stated that he arrived home just in time and noticed the fire. The contact stated that, because it was raining, the contact's wife had powered the window up; however, the contact noticed that the window was down when the fire occurred. In addition, the contact stated that the fire was blazing, and after the fire was extinguished, the...

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smoke was still visible. The contact extinguished the fire. The contact disconnected the battery. In addition, the contact stated that it could have been a huge fire because the fuel tank had just been refilled prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,295.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11705548
Engine & cooling1 injury

Fraudulent emissions certificate fraudulent mileage fraudulent vin emissions certificate matching an out of state texas vin [[redacted]] california [[redacted]] . Fraudulent dealer sale. Fraudulent dmv california registration and title transfer. Liquids gases odors fumes emitting from vehicle [[redacted]] [[redacted]] [[redacted]] have illlegal transfer of title to myself from dealer and illegal transfer of frauded registration from dealer. And believe vin is not accurate according to vehicle nor barcode or other components information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11609248
Engine & cooling

The contact owned a 2004 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and made an abnormal rattling sound before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11535000
Electrical systemLights

Headlight's,taillight's,turn signals stop working whenever they want.It's pretty scary to lose your headlight's when your driving at night.There's nothing i can do about it,except to sit wherever it happend and wait for them to come back on.My wife was following me one day and told me my brakelight's and turn signal stopped working and started to work again,she said this happened a couple time's at the same red light.There a couple of thing's (electrical)inside the vehicle that don't work anymore but i really dont...

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care about them.To get the odometer to work i have to knock pretty hard on the plastic cover that cover's the instrument cluster,sometimes it stay's on,most of the time it wont stay on.The DIC (driver control center) doesn't work anymore.I cant even get to it.The speakers on the left side of the vehicle dont work anymore.I thought i would tell you about the inside also because it could be part of the problem.All of this happened when i was driving home from my daughter's two night's ago.I bought this vehicle about three or four's year's ago,and i had no problem's with it untill the other night.The person i bought it from is a good friend of mine.He said he never had a problem with it,plus i have been in this vehicle countless times,that's why i bought it. Thank you.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11478324
Acceleration & cruise control

The contact owns a 2004 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was not diagnosed but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11444168
AirbagsCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc envoy. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph he had the swerve to avoid a headon collision from a vehicle that was in his lane. The vehicle went off the road and crashed into a concrete barrier.The contact had a fractured sternum and a bruised right ankle, knee and elbow. The contact visited the emergency room on his own without being transported by an ambulance.The contact stated that none of the air bags in the front deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was...

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totaled by the insurance company and towed from the crash site. The entire front of the vehicle was smashed in including the frame. The back axel dropped after the collision and both rims on the back tires were shattered. The front rims were also cracked. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted yet. The failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11378518
Lights

I was driving in the city at night time and my low beam lights quit working. I did not notice it right away because of the street lights. This could have caused an accident and put my husband, daughter and myself at risk.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11366788
Airbags

Rear air compressor bags are faulty....From what I understand this is happening to many gmc envoys and need to be recalled!!! *Tr

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11323942
BrakesEngine & coolingFuel system

I just had my brakes serviced and my bushings changed, but my abs light still comes on. Also when I go to brake the car starts to shake and I'm going the speed limit. The engine has a rough idle, and shuts off when at a complete stop and when the vehicle is in motion. I've had many things replaced on the vehicle, such as purge valve, gas cap. Charcoal canister and fuel tank. In the engine the spark plugs were changed as well as the coil packs and the fuel injectors. Along with the camshaft sensor. Still getting p0455 and po0014. Won't pass smog can't register vehicle, but my only means of transportation. 2004 Gmc envoy xuv slt 4dr 2wd

Filed Incident Service brakes · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11311534
Seats & seat beltsFire

The passenger seat spontaneously combusted due to a short in the electric seat motor causing the entire vehicle interior to burn. The car is totaled.The vehicle was parked in my driveway.

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 11290211
Electrical systemSeats & seat beltsFire

Front passenger seat caught on fire from the seat heater. The vehicle parked and turned off. It was parked in a high school parking lot while my daughter was in school. We contacted gmc, but they said it there was nothing they could do. There was something that went wrong for it to just catch fire. Can you help us in anyway at all.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Seats · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11288638
Seats & seat beltsFire

Bottom driver side seat warmer caught seat on fire. Melted a hole in the seat surface, blistered wife's leg. This happened during her morning commute to work on city surface streets

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 11287526
Wheels & tires

Spare tire release mechanism dysfunctional. I was unable to change to change a flat while on the side of a very busy highway. Had the vehicle towed to a automotive tire and repair business, and they could not remove the spare either. I searched online and there are a number of similar reports/complaints concerning gmc trucks and suvs, at least 2002-2012 models. Mine is a 2004 envoy. E.G. Http://www.Carproblemzoo.Com/gmc/envoy/spare-tire-problems.Php this design failure could lead to significant injury or...

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adverse health impacts (exposure, hypothermia, etc.) Especially to elderly or inability to change a flat while in remote terrain, or areas without cell phone service. There is no safety release backup that would also bypassing the defective tire release mechanism.

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 11281795
Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

The transmission started to slip, noticed it starting to have issues getting up to proper speed without slipping and trying to stall, and was told by previous owner whom I'm purchasing it from that there is a possible issue with the transfer case as well, as it engages it's 4 wheel drive without me touching it, tried to service the transmission and put fresh fluid and a new filter in to see if it would help and now it can only go as fast as 40 to 55 before it starts to slip pretty bad. I have a baby on the way due...

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in the next couple weeks and with it slipping and dropping speed it can cause me to end up getting hit and I don't want to put mine, my child, or any of my other passengers in danger.

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or other · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11281475
Airbags

Was driving down the road and the repair safety air bag light came on and is still on

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11266637
LightsCrash

While driving at night both low beam headlights go out completely without warning. Vehicle traveling at highway speed and has happened while driving in city as well. Highbeam headlights work when switched on after low beam stop working. Cannot leagally drive with highbeams on always. My envoy is in excellent condition and is dealer serviced even though it has high mileage. There was a recall for 2006 and up for this type issue, why was the 2004 model year not looked at? There are others that have had the same...

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issue with lowbeam headlights. Fusebox underhood is labeled to confuse owner and relays not described well in owners manual. There is no relay listed for low beam headlights. Headlight driver module is a know failure component. Gm also changed onstar to digital system leaving gm cars like mine with analog onstar unservicable and requires expensive upgrade. Headlights going dark while driving at night is a danger and vehicle should be required to fall under recall for 2006 models as well. Slight accident, ran off road into ditch and caused light damage. Vehicle was able to be driven, but needed some repair.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11265946
Fuel system

While driving on the street on my way home from work , I could smell gas... Got out and saw a visible leak coming from the gas tank.. I proceeded to look this problem up, and found out this is a reoccurring problem with this vehicle .

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11265284
Electrical systemLightsBrakes

My dash panel gauges began failing one by one. My headlights will sometimes not come on after starting the car with the headlight switch on auto. A flick of the headlight switch in and off, does not make the headlights come on. Sometimes they come on after driving around, and then will go off without touching the switch. Now, my side brakelights will not operate correctly when the brake pedal is pressed. Only the third brake light illuminates.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Service brakesNHTSA 11258245
Airbags

The seat belt was always on so I have to replace the both impactor sensor.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11255639
Visibility & wipers

Back window spontaneously bust. 2 Times it as happen less then 1year apart on my third window it blew up in my wife's face the second time

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11244822
Other & unknown

My mechanic said parts of my frame were missing and it was rusted enough that it could not be repaired. I originally though my rear u-joint was going out. Can't fix it, can't sell it. It only has 170,000 miles an is in great shape otherwise.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11222550
Lights

The headlights are extremely dim - always have been. Found out in march from a college class that there was a recall I was unaware of (never saw mail about it). Anyhow, a 2004 vehicle is only getting older and its lights are a huge liability. More curious as to why there's a deadline for a recall (if there is a problem with a vehicle that is sold then it should be fixed - especially if it puts others at risk).

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11207494
Electrical systemAirbagsBody, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc envoy. While the vehicle was parked, the tailgate latch and motor failed. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the tailgate motor failed and needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the air compressor failed to inflate the air bags evenly. The vehicle was taken to w-k chevrolet buick gmc cadillac (located at 3310 w broadway blvd, sedalia, mo 65301, (660) 826-8320), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vin was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · StructureNHTSA 11186598
Fuel system

Had another gas tank put in after 3 breaking and leaking gas. Now it cuts in and out going down the road

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11130562
Fuel system

The gas tank keeps cracking causing gas to leak out. It has been in the shop twice for this and car hop only wants to continue to put a used tank on it. The shop requested a new tank be purchased and they denied to request. The first time it was in the shop they wen though three tanks then it only lasted about a month.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11129244

GMC Envoy: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200877054Electrical systemA
200727851019Fuel systemC
200660391629Fuel systemD
200562432814Fuel systemD
200437422511Electrical systemC
200364285411Fuel systemF
200201400-A
All Envoy years

2004 GMC Envoy vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2004 GMC Envoy

Does the 2004 GMC Envoy have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2004 GMC Envoy: headlights (February 2007); turn signal (May 2005). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 GMC Envoy?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (166), fuel system (70), lights (42).

How many complaints has the 2004 GMC Envoy had?

374 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 19, 2004 and the latest on December 17, 2025. Of these, 25 describe a crash and 11 a fire, and together they report 31 injuries and 1 death.

Is the 2004 GMC Envoy a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 44 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical GMC Envoy year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which GMC Envoy years have the most complaints?

2003 (642), 2005 (624), 2006 (603). See every GMC Envoy year compared.

What should I do if my 2004 GMC Envoy has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

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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