Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 374 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 GMC Envoy, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 117 | 31% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 34 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 26 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 19 | 5% |
| Air bags | 17 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 2% |
| Visibility | 9 | 2% |
| Engine | 6 | 2% |
| Structure | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the contact noticed that the front passenger's door was on fire. The contact stated that he arrived home just in tim
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
fraudulent emissions certificate fraudulent mileage fraudulent vin EMISSIONS CERTIFICATE matching an out of state TEXAS vin [XXX] CALIFORNIA [XXX] . FRAUDULENT DEALER SALE. FRAUDULENT DMV CALIFORNIA REGISTRATION A
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
The contact owned a 2004 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and made an abnormal rattling sound before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Headlight's,taillight's,turn signals stop working whenever they want.It's pretty scary to lose your headlight's when your driving at night.There's nothing i can do about it,except to sit wherever it happend and wait for
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was not diagnosed but co
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH HE HAD THE SWERVE TO AVOID A HEADON COLLISION FROM A VEHICLE THAT WAS IN HIS LANE. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A C
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY AT NIGHT TIME AND MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. I DID NOT NOTICE IT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE OF THE STREET LIGHTS. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND PUT MY HUSBAND, DAUGHTER AND MYSELF AT RISK
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
REAR AIR COMPRESSOR BAGS ARE FAULTY....FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY GMC ENVOYS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED!!! *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 GMC Envoy. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NO 335-1120L-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE LAMP HOUSING SHAPE DEFORMED DISTORTING THE ASSEMBLY ANGLE OF THE REFLECTOR AND INFLUENCED THE AIMING POSITION. THESE HEADLAMPS F
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
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 SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUS
| Reliability raw | 63 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 71 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 374 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 117 of them (31%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 63/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.