2003 GMC Envoy XL SLT from North America - Comments

I own a 2003 Envoy sle. It has been a wonderful suv. 2007 my brake lights went out, low beam light sometimes work and didn't. I had them repaired and replaced. My turn signals and emergency flashes flashed slow and then stopped. They happened for about 2 weeks and eventually, they are working properly again. 2008 fan clutch went out and had it replaced. Sometimes the air will blow on the floor instead of the dash as it was set. Sometimes it worked properly. The driver seat broke, it the bracket near the control for the different positions of the seat. I need a seat or frame to fix the problem. It costs about $500 for the dealer to replace. Despite the issues, I still love my 2003 Envoy sle. Even today, I still get compliments. I would purchase another GMC Envoy.

Yes, there is a very good reason why any minor procedure done by a "shop" and not a GOOD GM dealer will trigger tons of problems. These vehicles have EVERYTHING from the engine to the rear-view mirrors controlled by the computer. This is a way car manufacturers have devised to require that their vehicles be brought back to the dealerships to be repaired. Yes, it is a rip-off, but it makes millions for car makers. It is stupid, yes, because computer control compromises so many functions and is so unreliable and unpredictable.

I'm a mechanic, and I own a 2003 Envoy because it is probably the best, smoothest, and fastest SUV in its class with the I-6 engine. We drove about a dozen foreign and domestic SUV's before deciding NOTHING came close to the Envoy... NOTHING.

We have never had any problems with ours, except for the A/C-heater air direction, which was fixed free (and out of warranty at that) by our excellent GM dealer. The car has been flawless, and gets far better gas mileage than our previous V-6 Explorers (24 mpg highway).

The fuel injectors require running a can of injector cleaner through them every 5000 miles or so for smooth running. ALL cars should have this done. It saves hundreds over a manual cleaning later on.

AutoZone is great, and I buy most of my parts and supplies there. However NONE of the codes I ever had run by them ever were correct. These computer codes are very often not even related to the SYSTEM that is the problem. This is also true of many shops that use testing equipment. I suspect, again, this is due to building the cars so ONLY GM can fix them properly.

With that said, as much as I HATE to endorse DEALER REPAIRS, GM (and every other maker now) pretty much has us over a barrel with all the computer crap. It is far fewer headaches to just shell out the extra money and have GM service people (most of whom are good, some aren't) fix them rather than having an independent shop offend the almighty computer, which will unleash its wrath on you by screwing up EVERYTHING within its all-powerful reach. I'm a MECHANIC, and I won't repair my OWN Envoy.

Hi, I have a 2002 Envoy I bought used with 44.000 miles. It was a returned lease, This is the best truck I have ever had, and I have had many. It now has 105 thousand miles on it and still rides awesome. When this one reaches 150 thousand miles, I will trade it in on another one.

Has only been to dealer once for the wiper recall. My wipers worked fine when I went in, and now they don't. The wipers jerk across the windshield and at times stop part way through a cycle when on intermittent settings.

Overall it's a great truck for a small family that needs the towing power.

To 09:55: Congratulations on a really GREAT SUV. My brother-in-law is a doctor and is part of an emergency-response unit that HAS to get to the hospital on short notice. In 2002, when he joined the practice, he was required to buy a dependable 4-wheel-drive vehicle. He chose this same vehicle, and after well over 100,000 miles he passed it on to his son and bought another one. The 2002 now has well over 170,000 miles with never a problem. In 2003 my wife bought one and after well over 60,000 miles it has yet to have a single repair. These vehicles are extremely reliable and very fast and comfortable.

I have a 2003 envoy with 65000 miles and no problems until the fan clutch started locking in when idle at a stop light. It unlocks when accelerating to road speed and seems fine until I stop at a light or in slow traffic. No check engine light or computer codes have been stored Any help would be appreciated.

I have a 2003 Envoy SLT with 138000KM. So far I only had a few problems which were basically general maintenance such as brakes and oil change. I have disabled the computer control for the door mirrors as they would never return to the correct position after being in reverse. Now I am having problems with the AC. On a mild day, it works well. On a hot day, it will work for about 20 minutes and then the compressor will shut off. The fan will then blow warm air. I took it to an AC repair shop and they recharged the system. However, I am still having the same problem. Anyone out there have any ideas on what I can do?

To 15:58. Repair shops are notorious for just cramming freon in the A/C and calling it "fixed". I saw this problem several times (I'm a mechanic) and in several cases it was the electromagnetic pulley assembly on the compressor unit not fully engaging the compressor. Sometimes that is the fault of a faulty compressor (not likely with the low miles you have) and in some cases it is a bad electromagnetic assembly (sometimes called a "field assembly" or "field pulley"). These are a snap to replace but are a little on the pricey side, even if you do it yourself. You might try to get another shop to check this out, and if you can loosen a bolt, you can replace the assembly yourself. Also, you could have a freon leak, though any shop worthy of being called a shop SHOULD have automatically checked for leaks.

Thanks for the advice. I should mention that the AC Shop did check for leaks and could not find any. However, I will take the vehicle to another shop with your advice as I am not mechanically inclined.

I am just curious as to why the problem only occurs when it is hot outside. Thanks again.

I bought a new 2007 envoy with the 5.3 engine and I am very pleased with the Envoy. I have on occasion gotten 25 mpg but average 22, which I am well pleased. I bought it to tow my 4700 lb travel trailer although I haven't had a chance to do as my wife as had two major surgeries this last year. My only complaint is that there is light in the glove box or under the hood, although I will remedy that shortly.

Glen.

Glen, my condolences on the wife's surgeries.

My wife bought a 2003 Envoy in early 2003 and has been madly in love with it ever since. She had traded cars every two years (or LESS) from 1988 until she got the Envoy. She says she wants to make a half million miles in it!!

We have had one very minor issue. The heat and A/C air flow control started directing all the heat or cooling to the floor only. The car was out of warranty but our excellent GM dealer repaired it in half a day at no charge to us.

Other that that very minor issue, we have had not a single problem as it now approaches 70,000 miles. The brakes are original (and still not very worn) and the tires are the original Michelins with lots of tread left. The ONLY item thus far replaced has been the original battery.

I suspect your mysterious light is due to a faulty pressure switch that isn't turning off your glove compartment light. Try opening the glove box and manually depressing the switch to see if it cuts off. If it does, put a little item, such as a plastic button, on the part of the glove box that contacts the switch using duct tape or electrical tape, then close the box. If the light goes out, that was the problem.

Hello I just purchased my 2003 envoy a week ago and it has a little over 60,000mi on it. Two, the very next day after we bought it the dealership put new tires on it for us and today I am in a loaner car due to a bad catalytic converter, which due to the warranty that the dealership provides will be completely covered.. So far even with the few mishaps so far I love my envoy. I am usually one to trade in every year and a half or so 2005 explorer only had 6 months.. (LONG story) with everything going out on it.. I hope to have it many more years!

22nd Jun 2008, 10:10

It's quite simple, Early Envoys are junk. I have a 97 Olds Bravada and it has 160,000 miles and still runs strong with no issues. We haven't had our '03 Envoy for three weeks now, everything the computer controlled is not working and it is at the local dealer for repair.

I wrote this back in June, and the same holds true now. The chevy dealer said it was a bad ignition switch, and that the car needed brakes to the tune of $900, also, at 62,000 miles the rear axle bearing were shot, and the rear needed rebuilt, which was partially covered under warranty. All in all we spent $1500 to repair this garbage, had it back 4 days and it left my fiance sit along the road this morning, and she is real happy. Stay away from ANYTHING General Motors. The stealership had our car for 3 months while they, and the warranty company fought over who should pay for the rear end rebuild.

I have an 2003 Envoy and about 1200 miles ago it was in the dealership because the engine was stalling (this happened on the freeway; not very safe) so after $700 picked up the car and the same problem was happening and they actually talked my wife into paying another $700 to fix the same problem it was brought in for. Now the car is still stalling, the low beam headlights are out, a break light is out (even after being replaced) and the A/C is sometimes not turning on. The service rep is going to fix the problem with the engine stalling, but said I need to pay another $300 for the lights. No I'm not feeling very good about throwing another $300 towards that repair since I feel the issues are all based on the computer not being properly programmed. My service representative told me there are 4 computers in this car and they had no need to check that system originally since we did not say anything about that. He also told me that the $40 relay they want to change is located under the dash and that's why it's so much money. Is this relay under the dash or hood? Could these issues be tied together? Should I have to pay more? Thanks.

I have a 2003 Envoy and it has been a good vehicle for our family. Now it has 140000 miles and it is showing a problem. The car 'roars' when accelerating and almost sounds like it is going into overdrive. The power is really not suffering but it is loud. Now the service engine soon light is coming on. Does anyone have any experience with this???

I've not seen this, but your description sounds like a MASSIVE air leak in the intake tube from the air filter. I suppose it could have gotten a rip in it somehow. Check that. It will cause both the roar and the "check engine" light to come on.