Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Dear sir/madam, I have a 2003 GMC Envoy slt model 4.2l v6 4wd and as I was backing into my garage I heard a loud bang and whinning noise and I now have no reverse gear and when I select the drive gear on the automatic transmission I have a whinning noise, I have read the blogs on this issue and I believe that GM and GMC are very aware of this problem, this repair will cost me up to $2,800.00 plus tax to have the transmission removed and a re-manufactured on replaced on my vehicle. I was just glad that this matter happened at my residence and not on some back road in west va., I believe that as stated, GM and GMC is very aware of the problem with the 4l603 transmission that were used in these vehicles' and the problem with the sun-shell and the reaction sun gears that are like a grenade exploding inside the transmission. …
Shift cable broke between the shifter and the transmission while shifting from drive to reverse to park on a street. If this had happen while shifting down gear to lower speed while driving down a hill, a loss of control of the vehicle would have happen that would have LED to a crash with extreme property damage and most likely driver and passenger injury and possible death. The vehicle was towed to ourisman Chevrolet in marlow heights maryland for repair after the tow truck driver manually shifted the transmission into drive from underneath the vehicle that would've been extremely dangerous for the tow driver to do if the vehicle had been facing down hill or in a heavy traffic situation. For some reason, however, my vehicle still hasn't been repaired nor have I've been given a reason as to why.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, he attempted to brake and the front end of the vehicle released smoke. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, who performed a diagnostic test and located the failure at the front driveshaft housing. The front drive shaft housing axel was broken. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls addressing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 95,000.
4-wheel drive light, my 2003 $35,000 Envoy's service 4-wheel drive light came on the first time at 574 miles. The second time at 4,242 miles. The third time at 6,490 miles. The fourth time at 9,387 miles. It was then towed in for a fifth time just after that for several other problems. It went through three ignition switches in one week. It has had the transfer case modules, actuators, front hubs and more done. It has been reprogramed each time as well. I have only owned the vehicle for 9 months. I contacted GM about this and was told about a repurchase then told no. I hate my Envoy and I will never purchase another GM product!!!!!!! Everyone that asks me about it I tell them my story so I hope it gets around how bad this is and how bad this sucks! My dealership has been helpful but the reps from GM suck! …
The gear shift selector cable became disengaged from the transmission while backing out of a parking spot. According to my mechanic, there is a small plastic bushing that became brittle and fell off causing the failure of the cable to maintain a connection with the transmission. This caused my transmission to become locked in the park position and unable to be moved into any other drive. While I was in a safe location, I'm concerned that other drivers in similar situations will become stranded in locations that are not safe. I conducted a recall search and found that this item has not been recalled. I placed a call to general motors and lodged a complaint. According to GM, they have received a number of complaints about this issue but are not issuing a recall at this time. …
First problem occurred in 2008, driving to work in 2003 GMC Envoy slt (original owner) heard clunking noise when downshifting. Took car in to shop for repair (just over 50K miles so out of warranty). Shop explained that the transmission needed to be replaced $4000 with one year warranty. Since I was planning on driving cross country decided to do the repair. One year later, driving and trying to accelerate on a ramp to find SUV stuck in second gear and wouldn't accelerate while RPM kept going up. Also heard clunking when downshifting. Pulled over and tried to get gears to shift by slowing down and speeding up (to get RPM to drop). Drove car to dealer who stated I needed a new transmission (again). Dealer removed transmission and "found input bushing in pump bad. And reverse drum. And had heavy metal contamination". …
Electronic problem with 4wd was supposedly corrected in 2004, transfer case for 4wd was replaced in April 2005, and 4wd failed again during first day trying to use it during icy conditions after it was "repaired" in April. Had to drive on dangerous, slick roads without 4wd from fairbanks to palmer, ak. This is a major safety issue in alaska where winter driving can be very hazardous without 4wd. Have had it into dealer several times for loud squeak under vehicle when making turns or going over bumps at slow speeds. No corrective action by dealer. Could not get vehicle out of "park". Had to have it towed to dealership. They disconnected something and told me to be careful because whatever they did would allow the vehicle to be put into "drive" without having brakes engaged! Had to drive it this way for several weeks until they got replacement part. …
1) sequence of events - nothing happens when we try to start. -battery voltage OK, auto-headlights on, bright - instrument panel completely dead -2 hours later, instrument on the miles per hour instrument is going wild, back and forth finally sets at zero, now engine will start. Check engine light is on for the first time - radio looses preset station memory 2) it started about a week; we had problems starting the warm engine. 3) automatic climate control is working sort of, sometime not 4) the check oil came on, at that time there was plenty 5) the backup mirror option is always loosing the input 6) transmission problem light was on for a day some time ago while driving in sb and in 2 wd, called your service and was told to ignore the dealer replaced the ignition switch, a superficial fix as it turned out later when the ignition switch was replaced again. …
When my vehicle had less than 200 miles on it the check four wheel drive light came on. Whe had only had the car for less than a week. I asked the dealer and they said that as long as it was running fine the would put it on the computer at my 3,000 mile checkup. A few weeks later I started hearing a rubbing noise. I brought it in and they took it for a test drive. They told me that they had swiched it from 2 wd to 4wd high and the noise was gone. It was not. The next day I switched it into AWD and there was no noise. That afternoon the front wheels locked up on me when I was going about 30 MPH. We had the vehicle towed back to the dealership. They told us that the front differental was litteraly falling apart and have now said they are going to replace the transfer case. The milage on our Envoy is 1263. Needless to say, I am not happy. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Envoy. The contact smelled gasoline, but did not pay it any attention initially. His son entered the vehicle later and also smelled the strong odor. The following day the contact filled up the tank with gasoline and the smell intensified. When he arrived home, he noticed a fuel leak by the rear driver side wheel. A mechanic stated that the leak originated from the top of the fuel tank where the fuel pump connects. The contact dropped the vehicle off at the dealer the next day and they stated that the leak originated from the gas tank, and it needed to be completely replaced. The vehicle is still at the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 59,000. Updated 04/16/08. The transmission was slipping and would not engage in 1st gear. The air condtion was blowing hot air. The ignition swithc shorted out.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park.
Remedy: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. 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…
Transmission complaints in other Envoy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 GMC Envoy?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 GMC Envoy, 9% of the model year's 394 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 GMC Envoy transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-075 (automatic transmission, Mar 6, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Envoy transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.