Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 GMC Envoy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
: no air bag/[ deployment failure] front/ side/ rear [ side designed to deploy in rollover or side impact crashes] air bag's failure / deployment complete roll all four sides landed back on wheels. I was slammed onto left driver side window left side face broke the window and glass and dirt filled vehicle seat belt failure: left/drivers only rolled four times landed back on all fours I flailed around head butted the passenger as the force over took my body onsite officer acknowledged the indications seat belt friction burns all on around neck and shoulder traumatic brain injury torn rotator cuff shoulder issues/ also bladder damage as the driver's side seat belt failed to lock during crash dealer should have been cited for seat belt failure worst things of all time ...it was a test drive engine stall failure : at high speed/ heard noise and boom lost all power steering loud noise loss …
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 concrete barrier.the contact had a fractured sternum and a bruised right ankle, knee and elbow. The contact visited the emergency room on his own without being transported by an ambulance.the contact stated that none of the air bags in the front deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company and towed from the crash site. The entire front of the vehicle was smashed in including the frame. The back axel dropped after the collision and both rims on the back tires were shattered. The front rims were also cracked. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted yet. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 GMC Envoy. While driving 50 MPH, the contact drove through a red light and was impacted by another vehicle on the driver side. The air bags failed to deploy. Due to not wearing a seat belt, the driver was ejected through the windshield. A police report was filed. The driver sustained road rash and cuts that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and then to the contact's residence. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 GMC Envoy. While driving 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the contact passed out due to a severe medical issue . He lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. The contact and passenger were severely injured. The driver sustained a broken clavicle and his teeth were knocked out of his mouth. The passenger sustained a laceration to the head and abdominal injuries. The vehicle was inspected by an insurance adjuster, who was unable to determine why the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that an investigation was implemented and a representative will call him back in five business days. The failure mileage was 42,600. Updated 6/5/09 updated 06/09/09.
Dt: consumer states that she was in a head on collision on July 8, 2005 and the air bags did not deploy. She was going 55 MPH when hit. There was damage to the vehicle and a police report was taken. Consumer states she has neck and back injuries, she is going to the doctor for a follow up visit today. Her daughter has seat belt burns on her neck. The vehicle is currently being inspected by the insurance company; it had to be towed to a body shop. She has not contacted the dealership or manufacturer, the attorney general advised her to call us first.
Tl contact owns a 2004 GMC Envoy. While driving 35 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle. His vehicle was destroyed. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belts did not retract for both occupants seated in the front. The contact and the passenger struck the steering wheel with their chests and shoulders. Both were severely injured. The contact, passenger, and other driver were transported to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and is awaiting an investigation. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 60,000.
While traveling down I-95 at appx. 60mph the car in front of me stopped short. I slammed into the back of it. My airbags did not deploy, nor did OnStar call to check on me (so much for believing in those ads!) the entire front end needs to be replaced. Fluids were spilling from the vehicle. 2 witnesses are capitol hill police officers who were shocked that the airbags did not deploy. The seatbelt did restrain me causing irritation at that site. My back, neck and head were aching. I was checked out by the er.
Tl contact owns a 2004 GMC Envoy. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle struck a gate, went airborne, dropped approximately 35 feet down an embankment, struck some trees, boulders, and landed in a swamp. The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle sustained major damage. Both the driver and passenger sustained multiple injuries. The vehicle had to be lifted from the embankment with a crane and was towed away. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 51,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 GMC Envoy. While driving 65 MPH in snowy conditions, he attempted to pass a vehicle and while returning back into the lane the vehicle slid and he crashed into a concrete barrier front-end first. The frontal air bags did not deploy at the time of the crash. The contact did not suffer any injuries. The police arrived shortly after and a police report was filed. The failure and current mileages were under 97,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 GMC Envoy. While driving 5 MPH, the consumer passed out at the wheel. The contact crashed head on into a utility pole in the middle of the vehicle. Neither of the front air bags deployed. The driver was injured and the utility pole was damaged. A police report was filed. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 54,250 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 06/04/08. Updated 06/04/08
Airbag complaints in other Envoy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 GMC Envoy?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 GMC Envoy, 8% of the model year's 367 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 GMC Envoy airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 GMC Envoy, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 GMC Envoy airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 0 fires and 17 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.