The Lemon Index
200520072nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: fuel system, gasoline
Better years to buy
56 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1022006 Nissan Murano 2172006 Hyundai Santa Fe 45
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 GMC Envoy
- Engine stalling53 complaintsmostly at 54,000–92,000 miles (87,000–148,000 km)
- Headlights43 complaintsmostly at 67,000–120,000 miles (108,000–193,000 km)
- Fuel pump17 complaintsmostly at 61,000–82,000 miles (99,000–131,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 586 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 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 21,000 and 50,000 miles (34,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 47 complaints, of all 56 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 15V599000 (visibility), 15V519000 (lights) and 14V404000 (visibility) done? It has 9 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?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- GMC sent dealers 822 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Whine noise from rear axle”?
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 56 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 21K to 50K miles (34K to 80K km) on the car (47 of all 56 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 fuel gauge shows empty even when the tank is full. After the gauge has read empty for a while, the engine light then comes on. This is going to cost me 724.00 to get fixed, b/c the fuel pump needs replacing.
2006 GMC Envoy owner · NHTSA complaint 10258124
More owner reports
Fuel gauge bounces around even when full with gas. When filled,the gauge needle gets buried at empty with light and sound dinging. Then the check engine light comes on.
NHTSA complaint 10268754
After filling vehicle with gas, the gas gauge goes to e and the light and buzzer come on.
NHTSA complaint 10273057
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 822 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Whine noise from rear axle
- The 4l60e/4l65e automatic transmission slip condition in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear
- Harsh 1-2 shift
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
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.
- Lights · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
- Visibility · recall issued 2014
Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board.
Show all 9 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2013
Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board.
- Electrical · recall issued 2012
Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit boa.
- 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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LAB…
- Steering · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION.
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
- ClosedDriver's master power window switch2012–2013
- 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 $3,550–$4,000 (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. 2006 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-envoy/?y=2006" 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/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 GMC Envoy reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 GMC Envoy reliable?
No, it is worse than 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 119; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Envoy year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2007.
What are the most common 2006 GMC Envoy problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (43%), electrical (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 GMC Envoy have?
9 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 GMC Envoy get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 GMC Envoy problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 21,000 and 50,000 miles (34,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 47 complaints, of all 56 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 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 2006 GMC Envoy have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 GMC Envoy cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 GMC Envoy have?
4.2L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What GMC Envoy year is better than the 2006?
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