2007 GMC Envoy Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report an inaccurate fuel gauge that swings between full and empty, and low-beam headlights that cut out while driving and leave only high beams working. A third recurring theme is the driver's door switch module, where owners describe burning smells, lost window and door-lock function, and occasional melting or smoke. Many complaints come from relatively low-mileage vehicles, and several owners note that their vehicle was not covered by the related recall.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong or bounces to empty

   • 78 complaints (36%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 4.6 yrs old (67 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2009–2018

   Owners describe the fuel gauge swinging erratically, often dropping to empty shortly after a fill-up while the tank is still full, and sometimes staying at empty until the vehicle is restarted. Some report running out of fuel because the gauge or low-fuel warning gave no usable information. According to complaints, dealers typically replaced the fuel level sensor or sending unit, and some owners say the manufacturer covered only part of the repair cost, while others used the odometer to estimate refueling intervals. Reported from roughly 25,000 to about 80,000 miles, often within a short time after a fill-up.

   What to check: Fill the tank and confirm the gauge reads full and stays steady while driving; ask whether the fuel level sensor or sending unit has been replaced and keep a fuel log as a backup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Fuel gauge started not working properly. Initially it would show half full when filling up, then the gauge stopped working completely causing me to be stranded on the interstate. The cost involved to fix it at the dealership was too high so I have chosen to calculate my mileage when I fill up.”

   NHTSA complaint #10398420, filed 2011-05, 41,000 miles

   “Hello, did Gmc will do something with the fuel sensor? I have Gmc Envoy 2007, and fuel sensor stopped working properly. I contacted the dealer and the representative sad that fuel sensor replacements work will cost you $600. It is not fare. I found that a lot of people have the same problem, and Gmc did not responded to that problem at all. One investigation already opens for this fuel sensor problem recently for trailblazer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10349170, filed 2010-08, 37,500 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Low-beam headlights cut out while driving

   • 52 complaints (24%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (45 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2023

   Owners report the low beams and daytime running lights going dark without warning, sometimes one side at a time and sometimes both at once, and often intermittently so that they work again later. In several accounts the high beams and fog lights still worked, so drivers continued with high beams. Complaints describe dealers either unable to reproduce the fault or replacing the headlamp relay or headlamp driver module, with some owners saying their vehicle was not included in the related recall. Reported from about 40,000 miles upward, frequently during night driving at highway speeds.

   Recall 15V5190002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the low beams and daytime running lights at night, let the vehicle run with them on for a while, and ask whether the headlamp driver module or relay has been replaced and whether the recall repair was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Both of my low beam head lights went out at the same time. I looked this up and found out that there was a recall on this on august 14, 2015 and I was not notified about this recall. I was pulling my vehicle into my garage when I noticed the lights were out. I checked both bulbs and fuses and they were all okay. The high beams, fog lights and turn signals work, just not the low beams on either side.”

   NHTSA complaint #10907486, filed 2016-09, 100,104 miles

   “My headlights went out the other night, I had to drive 30 miles with my highbeams on. Both headlights and daytime running lights are out. Same issue as recall #15v599000 , but I am being told there are no outstanding recalls on my vehicle? Seems to me it should be covered, definite safety issue”

   NHTSA complaint #10892195, filed 2016-08, 110,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Driver's door switch module: burning smell, dead windows

   • 37 complaints (17%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2020

   Owners describe a burning or smoky smell from the driver's door followed by the power windows, door locks, and sometimes the mirrors or remote starter stopping working. Several complaints mention the switch module itself melting or smoke coming from the door panel, and a few describe the engine shutting down at the same time. Complaints say dealers replaced the door module and that owners learned of related recalls after the failure, with some told their vehicle was not covered. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 160,000 miles, sometimes while parked overnight and sometimes while driving.

   Recall 15V599000Recall 14V404000Recall 13V248000Recall 12V406000

   What to check: Operate every window and lock from the driver's switch panel, check the door panel for heat marks or a burnt smell, and ask whether the window switch module and sealer recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Last saturday my power window master switch melted in the middle of the night. I woke up sunday morning with a smoky smell in my car. I took it to Gmc to do a diagnostics test on it and they determined it was in fact the master power window switch. They told me that the component melted in the middle of the night.”

   NHTSA complaint #10479890, filed 2012-10, 103,000 miles

   “I was driving and started smelling like something was burning in the car so I attempted to let the window down and could not. No windows will go down and I pulled over to check underneath hood to see if anything was burning and didnt see anything. I was afraid to drive the truck any further so I tried to lock the doors and was unable to lock any of the doors. The entire window panal is non functioning. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10760128, filed 2015-08, 103,000 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power windows slow or failing

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report windows that move slowly, stop partway, make unusual noises, or quit working entirely, most often on the driver's door. Some complaints describe a window regulator cable breaking and repairs at owner expense. In several accounts the window problem appeared alongside the door switch module issue. Most reports between about 100,000 and 180,000 miles, though some appear earlier in the sample.

   Recall 15V599000Recall 14V404000Recall 13V248000Recall 12V406000

   What to check: Cycle each window up and down several times and listen for grinding or slow movement; ask whether any window regulators or the driver's door module have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had my Envoy slt now for 2 years and since I've driven it, the check tire pressure is always on for my right rear tire always reads 0, my mirrors have a mind of there own, the heated seats don't always work and now my left directional doesn't work! Got a letter stating there was a recall on the driverside door but no parts available! Unhappy Gmc Envoy driver not sure its such a safe SUV.”

   NHTSA complaint #10489266, filed 2012-12, 53,000 miles

   “February of 2014, gas gauge started to go haywire. After approximately 100 miles, needle of gas gauge goes to empty and low gas indicator light comes on. November of 2013, passenger air bag indicator light stays on. Does not matter if seat is empty or occupied. July 2011, right/front window regulator cable broke-replacement cost me $340.00. At this time shop found that front differential case leaking. This was replaced at no charge. Have not owned a GM product in over 15 years, now I know why. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10629019, filed 2014-08, 60,000 miles

Buying note. Check the fuel gauge behavior and the headlights carefully on a test drive, and confirm whether the door switch module recalls were completed for the specific vehicle. Service records showing sensor, relay, or module replacements are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.