The Lemon Index
200220042nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: fuel system, gasoline
Better years to buy
197 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee 942003 Nissan Murano 4662003 Hyundai Santa Fe 121
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 GMC Envoy
- Rust / frame corrosion39 complaintsmostly at 56,000–125,000 miles (90,000–201,000 km)
- Engine stalling22 complaintsmostly at 35,000–98,000 miles (57,000–158,000 km)
- Headlights20 complaintsmostly at 92,000–149,000 miles (148,000–240,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 636 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 GMC Envoy (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 44,000 miles (11,000–70,000 km) (the middle half of the 129 complaints, of all 197 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 07E014000 (lights), 05V494000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 05V198000 (lights) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- GMC sent dealers 691 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission slipping or torque converter clutch (tcc) inoperative with no service engine soon…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and GMC's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 197 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 43K miles (11K to 70K km) on the car (129 of all 197 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The consumer smelled gas, took the vehicle in and the fuel rail was replaced. Later gas was smelled again, there was a vapor emission leak. Then the check engine light came on and the fuel tank is being replaced twice.
2003 GMC Envoy owner · NHTSA complaint 10111732
More owner reports
Complaint regarding the transmission on 2003 GMC Envoy xl.
NHTSA complaint 10120400
I own a GMC Envoy xl. The transmission will not hold the car on an incline. In drive, the car will accelerate backwards down a hill.
NHTSA complaint 10041528
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 691 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission slipping or torque converter clutch (tcc) inoperative with no service engine soon…
- Whine noise from rear axle
- Squeak, squeal or whistle noise from front axle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Lights · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NO 335-1120L-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCH THAT MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SPLASH, SUCH AS WATER AND ROAD SALT.
- Lights · recall issued 2005
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 SIMI…
Show all 10 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET.
- Visibility · recall issued 2004
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 …
- Equipment · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE ME…
- Brakes · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SCORE AT A RANDOM LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE PIPE AS THE RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITI…
- Airbags · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED.
- Airbags · recall issued 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of headlights2017–2021
- ClosedFuel pump module leaks gasoline2007–2008
- ClosedFuel pump module leaks gasoline2007
- ClosedFuel tank leak2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.2L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every GMC Envoy year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-envoy/?y=2003" title="GMC Envoy reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/gmc-envoy/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 GMC Envoy reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 GMC Envoy reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 189; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Envoy year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2007.
What are the most common 2003 GMC Envoy problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (15%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and visibility (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Envoy have?
10 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 GMC Envoy get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Envoy problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 44,000 miles (11,000–70,000 km) (the middle half of the 129 complaints, of all 197 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 GMC Envoy have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 GMC Envoy cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 GMC Envoy have?
4.2L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What GMC Envoy year is better than the 2003?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2007 drew the fewest (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works