GMC Envoy Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the GMC Envoy across 11 model years. The 2002 model year has the most (49). The words owners use most often: “windshield wipers” (15% of reports).
- 157visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- 27%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 24 of 157 complaints (15%)
- Side door: mentioned in 12 of 157 complaints (8%)
- Window switch: mentioned in 10 of 157 complaints (6%)
- Wiper motor: mentioned in 8 of 157 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 85 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 157 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 6 an injury.
GMC Envoy visibility complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Envoy | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2007 Envoy | 18 | 8% | 85,000 |
| 2006 Envoy | 19 | 5% | 90,000 |
| 2005 Envoy | 12 | 2% | 72,200 |
| 2004 Envoy | 14 | 4% | 90,000 |
| 2003 Envoy | 32 | 8% | 63,000 |
| 2002 Envoy | 49 | 10% | 17,700 |
| 2001 Envoy | 1 | 20% | — |
| 2000 Envoy | 6 | 27% | — |
| 1999 Envoy | 1 | 11% | 57,000 |
| 1998 Envoy | 3 | 16% | 77,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Model years: 2006, 2007
Problem: 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.
Risk: The protective coating may not eliminate the risk that the circuit board could short and result in a fire, even while the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Model years: 2006, 2007
Problem: 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.
Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:power window devices and controls; electrical system
Model years: 2006, 2007
Problem: 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.
Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:power window devices and controls; electrical system
Model years: 2006, 2007
Problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. 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.
Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Fix: Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. Isuzu owners will be notified by Isuzu Motors when parts are available. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727. SAAB owners will be notified by SAAB Cars North America when parts are available and for inquiries, owners may call SAAB customer service at 1-800-955-9007.
Visibility:windshield
Model years: 2005
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, 'windshield mounting.' the windshield urethane bead may not have adhered to the body in certain areas during the cure process.
Risk: If a crash occurs, the windshield may not be retained, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Dealers will replace the windshield free of charge. The recall began on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Model years: 2002, 2003
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can either cause a short circuit or can lead to the corrosion of components within the module.
Risk: Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will cover the windshield wiper module vent hole with a patch. Also, the wiper motor, circuit board, and electrical connector will be inspected to signs of water intrusion and/or corrosion and be replaced as required. The recall began july 6, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2006 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the front driverâs side door circuit board. There was no warning light illuminated. There was a white and grayish smoke coming from the door panel. After…
The contact owns a 2007 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that the power switch used to adjust the front driver seat had failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the power switch had been replaced a total of three times within a two-month time frame. Recently, the power switch had failed…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR SHORTED OUT AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR WERE BURNT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE. SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE DOOR PANEL, WHICH THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PUT OUT. COYLE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 gmc envoy. The contact stated that the master control module on the driver side window did not work. The contact stated that the control module was repaired per an unknown recall in 2014. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there was no recall. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 gmc envoy. The contact stated that the low beams failed to illuminate. The contact was not included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 13v248000 (electrical system and visibility), 12v406000 (electrical system and visibility) and 15v519000 (exterior lighting). The dealer also…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Envoys have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 157 owner complaints about visibility for the GMC Envoy. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Envoy visibility?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the GMC Envoy?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield wipers”, in 24 of 157 complaints, followed by “side door” (12).
Other GMC Envoy problems
See all GMC Envoy problems.