The Lemon Index
200420062nd generation
About average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
86 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1902005 Nissan Murano 2842005 Hyundai Santa Fe 73
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 GMC Envoy
- Engine stalling49 complaintsmostly at 40,000–88,000 miles (64,000–142,000 km)
- Headlights48 complaintsmostly at 25,000–122,000 miles (40,000–197,000 km)
- Fuel pump17 complaintsmostly at 46,000–60,000 miles (74,000–97,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 623 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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 6,500 and 45,000 miles (10,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 60 complaints, of all 86 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), 06V417000 (airbags) and 05V035000 (visibility) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- GMC sent dealers 732 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine stalls when air conditioning is turned on at idle”?
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 86 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 6K to 45K miles (10K to 72K km) on the car (60 of all 86 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
Fails to start periodically clock returns to 12:00 all gauges work but will not turn over engine, light will flicker while driving and lurches forward when foot is on the brake.
2005 GMC Envoy owner · NHTSA complaint 10216206
More owner reports
When driving - interior and exterior lights flicker/blink.
NHTSA complaint 10141734
2005 GMC Envoy doors and windows failed to open. Consumer states that the doors and windows failed to open. He also states that the vehicle would not start when his wife tried to start it.
NHTSA complaint 10208366
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 732 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine stalls when air conditioning is turned on at idle
- Check engine light with a p0300 due to 2-4 cylinders misfiring on the same bank of the engine
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED.
- Visibility · recall issued 2005
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 …
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 level gauge system failure2011
- ClosedFuel level gauge system failure2010–2011
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. 2005 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=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 GMC Envoy reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 GMC Envoy reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 115; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Envoy year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2007.
What are the most common 2005 GMC Envoy problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (33%), engine (17%) and fuel system, gasoline (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Envoy have?
3 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 2005 GMC Envoy get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Envoy problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,500 and 45,000 miles (10,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 60 complaints, of all 86 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 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 2005 GMC Envoy have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 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 2005 GMC Envoy have?
4.2L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What GMC Envoy year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (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