Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 GMC Envoy XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After unlocking and using the rear window glass multiple times daily, and twice earlier today, it exploded on the way up. This occurred within the first 1 inch of travel swinging up and rearward from being closed with very minimal manual force applied. The temperature today is 27deg.f , which is not the coldest use this vehicle has seen. There has not been any previous damage to the rear glass or gate, or anything in the rear of the vehicle. I write this at the advice of many online forum posts and complaints that I read through. I am hoping there is some time devoted by general motors to finding a solution to this. I just had to ride home with wife and 4 kids shivering because of this. There seem to be hundreds of these spontaneous occurrences happening in all types of climates and conditions, which is what convinced me I need to share my incident to fuel the cause. …
I went inside wal-mart for maybe 1/2 hour and when I came out the window was busted out. We thought some punk smashed the window so we called the police. They watched the video of the parking lot and they said that there was no one by the car when it happened. I don't see how it can just "magically" smash into thousands of pieces with no one around but after reading through other complaints I can see that I'm not alone. Of the 202 complaints on here there are 10 (this makes 11) incidences where this has happened and GMC is not recalling them? I just don't understand. It is going to cost me $500.00 for a brand new window and it is a week and a half before christmas. We tried to find one in the junkyards but they cost almost as much as a new one. I am so frustrated right now.
I was dropping my boat off at the local storage yard where I keep it. I opened the rear hatch of my Envoy to get a bucket out of the inside where I keep the boat's accessories.. The hatch was open for approximately 2 minutes when it exploded and rained glass all over me and into my right eye. It sounded like a shotgun went off, but I was the only person around. Approximately one year earlier, the chmsl plastic flew off on the highway almost hitting another car that swerved to avoid it behind me. This is a common problem as I have come to find out and GM has redesigned the back door . Mine sits in the driveway and I am not about to spend 700 on glass so it can happen again and possibly hurt someone else.
The 2003 Envoy we purchased gave us numerous problems, including a number of the ones other owners mentioned here, like the glass liftgate that does not operate properly, various electrical problems, but especially the outside rear view mirrors that move on their own no matter how many times they were supposedly fixed by service technicians. They do not stay in the position we set them in, and the fuel tank leaking is very dangerous as well as inhaling freon because of malfunctioning A/C system. Why is GMC doing nothing to solve these problems? I can't understand how they are getting away with this seeing that so many owners are having the same problems. What do we have to do to get some help?
No way to turn off the air/vent/heat system. Breeze blowing in 24x7 and the "recirculate" button only works when the fan is on. Extremely irritating when driving behind a bus, or in a dust storm, or during a fire. It is highly irritating to have air blowing in your eyes all the time, or on your feet making you cold; or the opposite during the summer. What if I don't want air blowing on me, hot or cold? I think it is dangerous to have to always fiddle with the temperature controls trying to make it comfortable while driving. If I had known this car was designed like this, I never would have bought it. Now I'm stuck with a car payment I never had before and a very sad situation.
Following an independence day baseball game and fireworks display, I went to the parking lot to load my family and some personal belongings. I opened the rear hatch and felt a slight baulking on the right side. In the next fraction of a second a shot gun sound went off and the window exploded in my face raining heavy glass into the back of the car and the parking lot. Miraculously, I received only a minor cut across my eyebrow, but a large chunk was cut out of the thumb of my right hand for which I had to go to urgent care and May have to consult with a plastic surgeon as it heals/ scars in order to retain flexibility in my thumb.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling various speeds in rainy wet road conditions, the windshield wiper system would not turn off, once activated. The vehicle must be stopped and turned off, in order to turn off the wipers. The problem only occurred during rainy conditions. There was a NHTSA recall, #04V046000, regarding the visibility: windshield wiper/washer. The service dealer and the manufacturer were contacted, and determined the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The contact expressed concern that the wiper problem could worsened and pose a risk to safety.
I have a 2003 GMC Envoy. I have had problems with my outside mirrors moving wildly upon starting of the vehicle. This is the second incident I have had with my outside mirrors. It started in the fall of 2004, with the passenger mirror moving wildly (I took it to the dealer who stated it had lost its "program"). It worked fine for a few months, then started again. Now the driver mirror is doing the same thing. I took it to the dealer who stated "mirror motors" need replaced for about $314. In researching this on NHTSA, it appears other consumers are having the same problems.
This was originally submitted on 10/14/2003, but because I don't see it on the NHTSA web site, I am resubmitting: the liftgate window of 2003 GMC Envoy XL exploded/shattered when I tried to open it beyond the first few inches. A shower of glass resulted in a severe facial laceration to my 4-year old daughter. There is no warning whatsoever on the window or in the vehicle operating guide regarding such a danger. This defect is a major danger that could have resulted in even greater physical injury and has left a scar on my daughter's face.
My 2003 GMC Envoy XL sle has a latch problem on the back doors, it has already been fixed but isn't resolved and the driver headlamp constantly burns out, 3 times in the last 2 months. I called on a recall but there isn't one. Its going to cause an accident at some point. The last time I tried to fix it the socket was burnt and plastic melted, that could've caused a major fire. I am very unhappy and don't know what can be done here, im going to get in big trouble because I can't put in another bulb it will cause more fire.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can either cause a short circuit or can…
Remedy: Dealers will cover the windshield wiper module vent hole with a patch. Also, the wiper motor, circuit board, and electrical connector will be inspected to signs of water intrusion and/or corrosion and be replaced as…
Window & Wiper complaints in other Envoy XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2003 GMC Envoy XL?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2003 GMC Envoy XL, 12% of the model year's 228 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 GMC Envoy XL window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-046 (windshield wiper/washer, Feb 4, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Envoy XL window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.