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Engine & cooling

2005 GMC Envoy Engine problems

Owners have filed 56 complaints about the 2005 GMC Envoy's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 9% of all its complaints, most recently on January 28, 2026. They describe 4 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Electrical systemEngine & cooling

1) I just purchased the vehicle in Oct 2026 & 3 days after purchase, it broke down in Walmart parking lot due to, all the antifreeze pouring out. 2) December 2026 had to replace the front tires as they were stripped to the threads from rubbing against the fender wells. 3) January 2026 Wouldn't start, wouldn't turn over or anything. Had the ignition replaced. Ran fine for one week. 4) Currently won't start. Broke down.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11714041
Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsEngine & cooling

My vehicle when purchased was altered from cloth seats to leather by the dealership where purchased. 3 Days ago my car is signaling me to service airbag while driving the car or in idle. So I immediately took it to a certified mechanic at meineke and was told that this is a manufacturer defect and there is a recall for this on my year, make & model suv. I called gm on 11/29/2019 and was told by a supervisor named angel there has been no recalls by their manufacturer and there is nothing more she can do about the matter. I cannot drive my car like this knowing this can be potentially harmful and hazardous.

Filed Incident Power train · Air bags · EngineNHTSA 11282890
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & coolingFuel systemCrash

Vehicle was stationary and in drive when it had a uncontrolled acceleration resulting in a collision with a garage where it was being parked. Extensive damage resulted to the home and vehicle. No injuries.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11144392
Electrical systemAirbagsEngine & cooling

My seat covers were originally cloth but at time of purchase they were replaced with leather seat coverings and there is recall #06v417000 has me very concerned.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · EngineNHTSA 11010574
Engine & cooling

Received a "check engine" light while driving the vehicle. The fault code that came up was po128 ( insufficient ambient temperature - ect ) upon researching the problem I discovered that this is a common fault on this vehicle. It is generally caused by a "sticking" coolant thermostat. This condition also results in poor heating poor heating of the passenger compartment. If this is such a common problem with vehicle as I have found. Gm should issue a recall and correct the problem at no expense to the owner!

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10985652
Body, doors & structureEngine & coolingCrash2 injuries

I had three cars in front of me stopped. I did not see any breakl lights and I hit the car in front of me pushing the other cars to hit each other. My front end of my car was severely damaged bad enough to damage the radiator and destroy my ac unit. I'm not sure what else was damaged. It sent the person in front of me and myself to the emergency room. " My air bags did not deploy ". My vehicle was moving on a city street.

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 10908300
SteeringEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc envoy. While driving at approximately 70 mph, the contact smelled an unusual odor under the dashboard. The contact also heard an abnormal noise coming from the steering column when making a turn. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 10785110
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc envoy xl 370. While driving approximately 30 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a loose bolt within the vehicle's sensory system. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10783450
Engine & coolingFuel system

When stopped in traffic or at a stop light, my vehicle will idle roughly and sometime stall. It does this in drive, neutral and park. I've had it checked and they couldn't find anything wrong. There are no codes showing a problem.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10750007
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc envoy xl 370. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the engine stalled and all of the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Updated 09/03/15*lj the consumer received a notice in august 2015 stating that part necessary to repair the vehicle had not yet become available. Updated 12/16/2015 *js

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10721537
Engine & coolingCrash1 injury

When backing the vehicle to leave a local restaurant, driver struck vehicle behind her. This happened so quickly that it was unknown to the driver how the vehicle traveled so quickly that driver had not even had a chance to turn the steering wheel to avoid striking the other vehicle. Driver placed vehicle in drive to pull over to assess the damage. When placed into drive, the vehicle lurched forward and continued to accelerate despite the brakes being applied. The vehicle struck a brick restaurant. Damage was...

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also done to the interior bathroom of the facility and the business had to close to assure safety of it's staff/customers. Witness states the vehicle was obviously lurching and appeared to have a mechanical problem. The driver's foot bounced off of the brake pedal on impact lodging it underneath the brake pedal. It was also noted that neither front airbags did deploy. Driver did not seek medical attention however driver's foot was badly bruised.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10714852
Engine & cooling

Service engine light illuminates and fuel levels are not properly indicated. The car shakes and cuts off when idling. Service engine light and low fuel illuminate continuously. Took car in twice to [[redacted]] black kennesaw but they could not find anything wrong. I informed them on both service visits that I received a letter from gmc but they said my car was out of warranty. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10712764
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc envoy xl 370. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the speedometer displayed 35 mph when the vehicle was not in motion and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the oil and the temperature gauges were not functioning. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10701398
Acceleration & cruise controlBrakesEngine & coolingCrash

Accelerating while entering a freeway, took foot off the gas and the vehicle continued to accelerate. Applied brake but vehicle continued to accelerate. Put vehicle in neutral to try and slow down and again applied brake. Vehicle began to spin to the right and we hit the guard rail, hitting the passenger rear bumper and the driver's side front bumper. Side air bags deployed. Car spun into the middle travel lane and began to spin around. Car was slowing down and was able to turn car off. Fortunately no other...

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cars were involved. An off duty sheriff's deputy stopped and said he noticed smoke and thought the car was on fire but no fire occurred. When state police arrived they asked us to move the car to the break down lane. Was able to put car in reverse and backed car to breakdown lane. Tried to put car in drive but car wouldn't go forward. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10694250
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc envoy. After turning the key in the ignition switch, the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10658814
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The oil pressure gauge is reading above 80. Had oil changed immediately. Was told that there have been complaints regarding the mis reading of the instrument panel. Contacted gm and was told that at this time they are not covering the repairs and that it is the consumers responsibility to replace the engine sensor system. Gm has some of the rudest and nastiest customer service representatives. I had to call 3 times in one day. They even hung up on me . I spoke with [[redacted]], [[redacted]] and...

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[[redacted]]. I asked about the safety of the vehicle and other potential problems, such as engine fire or entire system shutting down and not responding. They had absolutely no answer for me other than they are not covering the cost of the repair. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10643919
SteeringEngine & cooling

On july 28, 2014 I was going down a hill and the engine shut off completely. Fortunately I was only going approximately 5 mph and was able to coast across the main street and was able to coast into a parking spot. I tried restarting my envoy with no luck so I had the truck towed to the local gmc dealership and was told that the ignition switch had gone bad. I hate to think what would have happened if I was going faster or going down a steep mountain because where I live I am surrounded by mountains. I am not...

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sure if anyone else experienced this problem with a similar vehicle. I do know that other gm cars and vehicles are being recalled for this same situation but was told that mine is not under a recall at this time. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10617539
Engine & cooling

My 2005 gmc envoy has started experiencing a knocking sound in the right rear passenger side. It starts approximately a minute after the vehicle starts and stops within a minute or so. It happens when the car is moving or idle. This started yesterday evening. Not sure what is causing it. Everything is running fine in the vehicle. There must be other similar complaints and resolutions. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10553895
SuspensionEngine & coolingFuel system

In march 2012 I had motor mounts installed on my 2005 gmc envoy at the dealership jay gmc buick columbus georgia. On august 26,2013 they are telling me I need new motor mounts because of the age of vehicle and miles they need to be replace. I guess parts are old and professional installing is old to. During this same time had a tune-up {major} and now have to have coil and plug install. This make it seem paying for professional serve is a waste of time. My fuel injector also needs cleaning again. In the future I can only expect 40,000 miles on anything fixed by dealer. *Tr

Filed Incident Suspension · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10537518
Engine & cooling

I have been reading a lot and it seems to be a common problem in the 2005 series gmc envoy, chevy trailblazer. Basically the cooling fan clutch goes bad easily and quickly. When you start the engine it is fine but after the clutch needs to engage it either clicks, and doesn't engage or it just makes that common jet engine roaring. This is all to common and gm needs to do something about it. There have been people with 40,000 miles or 140,000. I my self am on my second one and it is already doing to the same thing after 5 months. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10520588
Fuel systemElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc envoy. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the fuel level gauge would fluctuate abnormally and the contact was unaware of the exact level of gasoline in the vehicle. The contact also noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated for some time. In addition, the speedometer also failed. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that they would cover fifty percent of the repair costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,224. The current mileage was unavailable. Updated 12/11/12*lj

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10481170
Engine & coolingFuel systemElectrical system

I have had a problem in the past with the fuel gauge reading empty continuously as I have read from many other complaints. Recently I experienced a problem with the oil pressure gauge. At first the check engine light appeared intermittently and then the oil pressure gauge dropped to zero, at which time the message in on the lcd reading said "stop engine" and "oil pressure low". I immediately went to my gas station and checked the oil, which was only down a 1/4 tank. My mechanic stopped the car and started...

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it again and the oil pressure gauge reset itself but once I started to drive the car again, the oil pressure dropped. My mechanic believes it is another sensor problem like the fuel sensor but is not completely sure. I only started with this issue today but it is more worrisome to me than keeping track of how much gas should be in my tank. I am curious to know if others have started to experience this problem. I have had the car since it was brand new and have drive 79000 miles. I also had a major issue with the suspension system with I believe is common in this vehicle. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical systemNHTSA 10441550
Engine & cooling

Exhaust manifold is cracked. Had exhaust manifold and gaskets replaced. Took 5 working days to fix. Checked on line and found many complaints on the envoy and trailer blazer 's manifold. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10435375
Engine & cooling

Informed by mechanic that exhaust manifold has crack and needs replacement. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10432449
Engine & coolingFuel systemElectrical system

2005 Gmc envoy xl has several issues with the instrument cluster. The battery and temperature gauges are reading off the scale past their maximum readings. It should also be noted that this vehicle also had issues with the fuel gauge sending unit and the engine thermostat. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical systemNHTSA 10430426

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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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