Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 GMC Envoy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was stopped at a light when the car accelerated on its own, I pressed the brake but the car would not stop . I hit car the car in front of me, I had to put car in neutral to stop the car. Car was towed to dealer, the cause was a internally shorted throttle body. The throttle body was replaced. This was the third time car accelerated on own and would not stop. The first two times my mechanic could not find any problem.
My spouse was driving down s/b on rt 313 @ rt 290 maryland. He hit a deer and rolled my Envoy and the air bags never deployed. My son was in front passager set with a set belt on and when the Envoy rolled his set belt did not hold him on. My spouse told me the anit-lock breaks did not engage when he slam on the breaks .
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal vibrated and hesitated to respond when depressed. In addition, the brake pedal felt abnormally soft when applied, which required a longer stopping distance. The failure became progressively worse. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
My complaint is about the ABS brakes warning light and the feel of the brakes while in motion. When coming to a stop, reachibg 5mph, the brakes performance is feeling a resistant andjerky. It is as if the brakes do not want to press all the way down when completely stopping. The warning light on my dash says, "service ABS brakes." this is a rather scarey feel coming from the brake peddle.
1. Normal winter driving in northeastern ohio. 2. Anti lock brake system failed to operate. The result was immediate loss of control of the vehicle, causing it to slide into oncoming traffic on a rural country road where it was struck by an on coming car. 3. The car is totaled as assessed by the insurance company, no repairs made.
Where the top of the nesk of the fuel tank meets the fuel pump it is broken where the 2 meet. Fuel vapors, as well as actual fuel leaking on the ground r both present. Stationary , as well as, in motion.
Purchased 2003 GMC Envoy slt on 11/30/2002. Service airbag light came on as I was driving the vehicle off the lot. Returned to dealer for repair. Dealer said it was a loose wire in the sensor. One month later service airbag light came on again. Returned it to dealer, could not determine problem so they replaced the passenger side airbag. Service air bag light is on again. This is the third time. Also have had intermittent problems with the brakes. When approaching a stop light have had instances where the car will not stop, and the brake pedal is to the floor this has happened 3 times. Took it into the dealer and was told this is the way the brakes function on this vehicle????? Have had intermittent problems with the 4 wheel drive. The lights on the 4 wheel drive indicator will flash from 2hi all the way to 4 whl drive without every touching the control. …
Driving at approx. 2:30 pm in intermittently rainy conditions- I suddenly found myself unable to control my vehicle and had trouble seeing my surroundings even though I had new rain-x wipers on. While I applied the brakes they did not work as effectively as they should. Additionally, after the first and second impact (multiple vehicles were involved)- no air bags deployed. I was the only person in the vehicle and still the drivers side air bag did not deploy. Resulted in two fatalities in another vehicle while I suffered a head injury, facial fractures that required surgery, and a broken collar bone from the seat belt that I could not afford the medical intervention required for repair.
The vehicle was in service 3 times within 14 days, GM says the problem was the ignition switch, I say the source of the problem has not been fixed. Engine stalled 6 times in moving traffic, the "ABS" warning light is on, some time the "check engine soon" light comes on. Dealer replaces throttle body injection assembly. Next day the vehicle stalls again with same symptoms. Dealer replaced ignition switch again. !4 hours later engine stalls in moving traffic. Dealer installs event recording device, engine stalls and identified low ignition voltage (6.7 vs 13.6 vdc). Source of problem could not be identified, dealer says vehicle is safe to drive. We filed a lemon law claim.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a left-front brake pipe with a circumferential score at a random location along the length of the pipe as the result of the manufacturing process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-front brake pipe. Owner notification began on May 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Brake complaints in other Envoy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 GMC Envoy?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 GMC Envoy, 7% of the model year's 394 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 GMC Envoy brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-151 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Apr 23, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Envoy brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries and 2 deaths to brakes 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.