Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On December 20, 2015 we were traveling after dark (7:30 pm) and the head lamps went off. We managed to pull out of traffic safely. Could not figure out what happened. After sitting for approximately 5 minutes the lamps came back on and we were driving to our home and the lamps went off again. I took the vehicle to a Chevy dealer and they could not help me. I then called the GMC dealer and got the same response. I then checked online and found out that GM knows of this problem which is caused by a headlamp module overheating. I know this problem is occurring to other people so why hasn't there been a recall.? Help.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 GMC Envoy. While driving 35 MPH, both headlights and tail lights failed. The contact was able to drive home using the fog lights. After letting the engine cool down, the vehicle would operate normally. The contact was a certified mechanic and noted that the volt meter dropped to 12 volts when the failure occurred. The manufacturer was aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000. Update 01/13/16 updated 01/22/16.
I received a letter from GMC in May stating there May be an issue with headlamp driver module (hdm) where the low beam headlamps will not work. At the time, my headlamps were working properly, so the letter advised me to not take my vehicle to my GMC dealer. However, two days ago my headlamps did not work at night while driving on the highway. This caused a severe safety issue as I could not see the road clearly. I took my vehicle and the letter I received to my GMC dealer. They advised me that GMC would not pay to fix the headlamp problem as I had more than 150,000 miles in a situation where customer safety is involved, I believe GMC should pay for the repairs. I had to pay for the repairs out-of-pocket. I strongly believe that this should be a safety recall notice initiated by the manufacturer to correct this issue. …
While operating the 2008 GMC Envoy on an interstate I observed what appeared to be a lack of light when the low beam headlights were turned on. I drove to a rest area and confirmed that the low beam headlights were inoperative. The bulbs were removed and both bulb filaments appeared intact. Fuses, breakers and relays were checked for secure seating. The high beam headlights were operative and all other lights functioned. I am aware of documentation that covers the issue but only up to the 2007 model year. There are other complaints on file describing similar issues. The unsafe condition that resulted was the absence of forward lighting while operating a motor vehicle during times that lighting should be used. It is my belief that a solid state relay, delco part number 15016745, in the #46 position in the engine compartment fuse panel, is apparently the cause of the lighting failure. …
The contact owns a 2007 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the headlamps became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she turned on the hi-beam and was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer did not diagnose the vehicle. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in whenever the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently while driving. The contact contacted a second dealer Poage Chevrolet (851 W Pearce Blvd, Wentzville, MO 63385) who advised the contact that her vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V519000 (Exterior Lighting) since the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2007 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and also at other speeds, the low beam headlights became inoperable. The contact was able to activate the high beam headlights to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure with the low beam headlights was intermittent. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact purchased replacement bulbs for the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact researched and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V519000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
The contact owns a 2006 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the headlights would fail not allowing them to see anything while driving. The contact stated that the headlights would only engage using the high beams. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the headlight driver module needing to be replaced. The contact replaced the headlights but the failure still occurred. The contact was relating the failure to the NHTSA campaign number: 15V519000 (Exterior lighting). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
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 the high beam headlights and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V519000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
Remedy: 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 1-800-762-2737.
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
On certain trucks and sport utility vehicles, the driver wishing to signal a turn by moving the directional signal lever, (up or down) May cause the front marker/turn lights and rear turn lights to flash in a manner similar to hazard warning, rather than flashing on the desired side only.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suspect flasher modules with a new flasher module designed with sealed relays and more durable contact material inside of the relays free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2005.
Exterior lighting
The daytime running lights were built with a candela value greater than 2,600, are located less than 100mm from the turn signals and hazard warning lamps, and are not deactivated when the turn signal or hazard warning lamps are activated. This does not comply with FMVSS no.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new body control module and reprogram the vehicle with a new calibration that will turn the daytime running lights off when the turn signal or hazard warning flasher is activated.
NHTSA investigations
Hazard light switch failure
On November 30, 2001, general motors (GM) conducted safety recall 01v-364 for the subject vehicles built between September 16, 1999 and August 28, 2001 to remedy a defective hazard switch that would cause a loss of hazard and stop lamp illumination.the hazard switch is contained within the vehicle multifunction switch.odi opened this investigation based on reports that some consumers were not notified of the…
Loss of Headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV.
Brake lamp failure
GM states that some brake/tail lamp bulbs can prematurely become inoperative due to malfunctioning brake/tail lamp sockets.on March 2, 2004, GM initiated a 6-year/72,000 mile special policy for 989,487 subject vehicles to inspect and replace the rear brake/tail lamp bulb socket assemblies.on April 4, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-032) based on consumer…
Turn signal failures
By letter dated April 29, 2005, GM notified the agency that it is conducting asafety recall ( NHTSA recall no. 05V198 ) involving certain model years (my) 2003-2004 Isuzu ascender, Chevrolet trailblazer, GMC envoy, Oldsmobile bravada and my 2004 Buick rainer vehicles.the recall applies to vehicles built from April 2003 through November 2003 for a total vehicle population of 286,478.GM reports the directional/hazard…
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Envoy years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (69), 2006 (56), 2005 (45), 2004 (40) and 2002 (26) model years. Headlight complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for GMC Envoy headlight problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 15V-519 (headlights, Aug 14, 2015); 05V-198 (turn signal, May 5, 2005); 98V097001 (exterior lighting, Sep 28, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Envoy headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles; 19% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (30 mentions), followed by the brake lights (10).
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.