FaultScore

2003 GMC Envoy steering problems

15 of the 511 complaints about the 2003 GMC Envoy are about the steering — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 69,463 miles.

F

15

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Steering 11 73.3%
Hydraulic Power Assist System 2 13.3%
Hose, Piping, AND Connections 1 6.7%
Pump 1 6.7%

Steering across every GMC Envoy year

2002 20 33.9%
2003 15 25.4%
2005 11 18.6%
2006 13 22.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 100,000 miles Springport, MI

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10936472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,037 miles Pace, FL Crash 2 injured

STEERING

ENTERING STRAIGHT STRETCH OF 2 LANE HWY.,I SWERVED TO MISS OBJECT IN MY LANE AND PART OF ADJACENT LANE. I COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN UP VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND STRUCK A TREE. THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. MY DOOR WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE CUT OFF TO FREE MYSELF. THE ENVOY WAS TOTALED. MY WIFE'S HARNESS DID NOT HOLD AND SHE WAS FACING THE REAR BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. THE SIDE AIR BAGS AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED WITH NEW TIRES AND BRAKES. I WAS LIFE FLIGHTED, AND MY WIFE WAS CARRIED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE WE SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10662196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Pontiac, MI

STEERING

THE CAR DIES FOR NO REASON IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE FIRST DAY I GOT THE CAR. THE CAR ALSO FUNCTIONS LIKE IT HAS HYDROLICS FOR A WHILE IT WILL BE LOW TO THE GROUND WHILE I'M DRIVING IT THEN OUT OF NO WHERE IT WOULD RAISE UP I HAD TO GET THE SUSPENSION DONE WHEN I GOT IT BECAUSE IT WAS OLD AND ALSO THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION ALSO IF I PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON IT WILL TURN ON THE HEAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN A HEADACHE.

NHTSA complaint #10579068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,345 miles Pittsbough, PA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A FOUR MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO MADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129345.

NHTSA complaint #10576292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,926 miles Spring Grove, IL

STEERING

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING OF THE ENVOY SLT 2003 WAS COMPLETELY INTERRUPTED DUE TO A BROKEN SHAFT IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. AS A RESULT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED ON THE EDGE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY AND WAS WEARING OUT QUICKLY, WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A BROKEN BELT.

NHTSA complaint #10564651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Newark, OH

STEERING

1/17/09 GMC ENVOY 2003 I MADE A SHARP U-TURN IN A SNOWY YARD WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN TRACTION ASSIST. THEN I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKED, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WENT IN THE HOUSE. I WAS IN THERE APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES THEN GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. EXCESSIVELY STIFF.I PULLED FORWARD GOT OUT, LOOKED AT THE GROUND AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF BLUISH LIQUID LOCATED NEAR WHERE THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING.

NHTSA complaint #10255522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Sparrowbush, NY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

MADE SHARP RIGHT TURN---LOST ALL POWER STEERING---CHECKED , BELT,FLUID--POWER STEERING DID NOT RETURN --CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #10212676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Newport News, VA

STEERING

MAKING A U TURN IN AN "03 GMC ENVOY. POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF AUTOMOBILE. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 39,00 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10157966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Brunswick, NJ Crash 1 injured

STEERING

CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE PROPERLY. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #10140981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bossier, LA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WE PAID 30.000 THIS GMC ENVOY BECAUSE WE WANTED A CAR THAT WOULD RUN AND THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER SAID WE SHOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY FOR UPKEEP AND MINOR REPAIRS. THAT IS A JOKE IF YOU BUY A GMC (PART NUMBER 26089516).

NHTSA complaint #10138577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mckees Rocks, PA

STEERING

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2003 GMC ENVOY. *MR THE WAS A "PINGING," ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW AND THE STEERING GEAR HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE, THE DRIVERS DOOR MADE A RATTLING NOISE ALONG WITH HOOD RATTLING. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10092770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,000 miles Diamond BAR, CA Crash 1 injured

STEERING

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AROUND 35 MPH DURING A CLEAR DAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL OF OUR 2003 GMC ENVOY STARTED WOBBLING AND SHE COULDN'T CONTROL IT ANYMORE. SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURB AND INITIALLY HIT A UTILITY POLE ON THE LEFT PASSENGER SIDE, THEN EVENTUALLY HIT THE TREE WITH THE FRONT BUMPER AND KNOCKED THE TWO STATIONARY OBJECTS DOWN. SURPRISINGLY, THE AIRBAG DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TOTAL WRECKED AND UNREPAIRABLE. AS EXPECTED, GMC DECLINED RESPONSIBILITIES. THEY SENT A SO CALLED INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR BUT THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ME HIS PHONE NUMBER. THE REPORT THEY SENT CONTAINED ONLY RAW DATA ABOUT THE AIRBAG AND NOTHING ABOUT THE STEERING WHEEL. I WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMMEND A GMC AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10049443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Diamond BAR, CA

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED HARD TO LEFT. THE VEHICLE THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL HAD FOLDED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE AXLE HAD SHEARED OFF AND NEEDED REPLACING.

NHTSA complaint #10047860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 574 miles Sterling, VA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

PURCHASED A 2003 ENVOY XL ON 27 DEC 02 - SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN TO THE GARAGE TWO TIMES - NO CLAMP ON ONE END OF THE POWER STEERING LINE (LUCKILY IT BLEW OFF WHILE STILL IN OUR DRIVE WAY - GOD HELP US IF IT HAD LET LOOSE AT HIGH SPEED ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY) SECOND TIME WAS FOR A BAD CAM SENSOR. AND WE HAVEN'T MADE THE FIRST PAYMENT YET. FIRST CASS NUMBER FROM GMC IS S1-68773551 - SECOND CASE NUMBER I DON'T HAVE YET AS I JUST REPORTED IT THIS MORNING. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT MY WIFE AND I HAVE NO TRUST IN THIS CAR NOW - WHAT ELSE WILL GO WRONG NEXT.

NHTSA complaint #10005160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Castle, PA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING APPROX. 60 MPH WHEN A SEMI DECIDED TO MOVE INTO MY LANE. I ASSUMED I WAS IN HIS BLIND SPOT SO I SPED UP TO BE IN FRONT OF HIM. WHEN HIS FRONT STARTED MOVING INTO MY LANE I MOVED OVER A TINY BIT ONTO THE BURM. I THEN TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT TO GET BACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK. JUST THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED RESPONDING TO THE WHEELS AS THEY BEGAN SMALL BACK AND FORTH (LEFT AND RIGHT) JERKS. THE JERKS (WHEELS) BECAME LARGER, SWIRVING THE ENVOY BACK AND FORTH (LEFT AND RIGHT) WITHIN THE LANE. THIS MOVEMENT INCREASED TO WHERE THE CAR BEGAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL ACCROSS ALL LANES OF THE FREEWAY, LUCKELY STOPPING ALL BUSY FREEWAY TRAFFIC AROUND ME. THE WHEELS SEEMED TO BE SLIDING AROUND AS IF ON A SHEET OF ICE. I DID MY BEST TO CONTROL THE WHEEL TO AVOID GOING INTO THE DITCH BECAUSE THE ENVOY WAS SWIRVING SO MUCH IT MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE TIPPED OVER. THE ENVOY DID AT LEAST 5 COMPLETE DONUTS WHILE THE SEMI WAS HEADING TOWARDS ME. THE ENVOY SHUT DOWN WHILE IN DRIVE. I OPENED MY DOOR AND WAVED TO THE SEMI DRIVER. HE WAVED BACK TO TELL ME GOOD LUCK AND TO MOVE OUT OF THE BUSY FREEWAY IF I COULD. I PUT THE ENVOY IN "PARK" THEN IT STARTED BACK UP AND DROVE AWAY WITHOUT A SCRATCH ON IT. I BROUGHT THE ENVOY BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP "PRESTON" IMMEDIATELY AND THEY SAID THIS IS THE 2ND OR 3RD INCIDENT OF THE SAME NATURE. THERE WAS A ENVOY IN THEIR PARKING LOT THAT HAD BEEN ONLY GOING 35MPH AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A FATALITY. I THOUGHT MY LIFE WAS OVER. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT TO RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER. I'M SURE YOUR EXPEDITING THIS MATTER WILL SAVE LIVES!

NHTSA complaint #767344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 GMC Envoy problems

← Full 2003 GMC Envoy report