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 603 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 GMC Envoy, and it carries 9 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 191 | 32% |
| Electrical system | 55 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 50 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 31 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 24 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 2% |
| Power train | 12 | 2% |
| Engine | 12 | 2% |
| Visibility | 11 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 11 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2006 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the front driver’s side door circuit board. There was no warning light illuminated.
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
When starting the vehicle it turns over as if it wasn't going to start then it starts then put it in drive and it revs up without moving seems like its going to to pull out but barely moves while driving down the highway
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2006 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while driving with the low beam headlights engaged, the low beams headlights failed to illuminate, causing a reduced visibility of the roadway. The contact engaged th
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
Air bags deflated without warning while driving. Engine misfire for no reason. Had them checked at automove shop.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
rear hatch window exploded while the car was not moving for no apparent reason lucky no one was in the rear seats or standing in back of the vehicle at the time otherwise the flying glass would have been an issue. And i
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
The contact owns a 2006 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while attempting to activate the windshield wipers, the windshield wipers failed to operate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not d
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
Went to drive home at night lights were working then all the sudden went out. Pulled over checked fuses n restarted auto and still no lights, the dash board lights were out as well. Safety of other drivers and my famil
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2006 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle was not able to be started. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle lost motive power.
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2006 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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlam
Risk: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy vehicles, and 2006 GMC Envoy XL and Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT vehicles. Fluid may enter into the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result
Risk: The protective coating may not eliminate the risk that the circuit board could short and result in a fire, even while the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new driver's door switch module, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300,
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corro
Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outsid
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An i
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine,
Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outsid
Fix: Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300,
| Reliability raw | 56 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | 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 603 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 191 of them (32%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 56/100 (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 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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 62/100. 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.