This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Record
View on NHTSA →2007 GMC Envoy electrical problems
severe 66 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
When does it fail?
Of the 66 electrical complaints filed for the 2007 GMC Envoy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Owners have filed 66 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060,
View on NHTSA →Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exc
View on NHTSA →This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
View on NHTSA →This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 GMC Envoy shows a troubling pattern of electrical system failures, with the driver's side door module being the most dangerous. Owners report the module overheating and catching fire—sometimes while the vehicle is parked—emitting smoke and sparks from the door panel with no fuse blowing to stop the current. One house fire was traced to a parked Envoy; another owner's vehicle was engulfed in flames on the road. The system also fails less catastrophically: windows stick, door locks malfunction, and the module requires replacement after initial "band-aid" coating repairs fail.
Low beam headlights are another persistent issue. The system routes all activation signals through the Body Control Module under the rear seat, with no direct manual override from the dashboard switch. When the BCM fails, drivers lose low beams entirely—stuck with only high beams or fog lights. Multiple owners report their VINs excluded from recalls 13V248000, 14291, and 15V519000 despite having the exact problem described.
Engine stalling without warning occurs at various speeds and mileages. Dealers have replaced the ECM, ignition switch, ignition coil, and accelerator pedal on the same vehicle without finding the root cause. One vehicle entered limp mode at 65 mph and later had the engine lock completely. Window regulator cables fray, power switches melt internally without blowing fuses, and the tire pressure monitor light stays on permanently despite correct inflation. Owners also report repeated recall notices with parts on backorder or VINs mysteriously excluded from coverage despite identical symptoms.
Same GMC Envoy electrical reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Door Module Thermal Failure & Fire Risk
Driver's side door module (window switch assembly) overheats, melts, and catches fire, creating smoke and sparks inside the door panel. The high current draw does not trigger the fuse or breaker, allowing the fire to propagate. Multiple owners report the module melting while parked, smoking during operation, and in extreme cases igniting components inside the door cavity.
When: Intermittent; can occur while vehicle is parked, during operation, in wet/snow conditions. One incident at 28,000 miles on new vehicle, another during rain storm, others at 42,000–115,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke or sparks emanating from driver door panel; Burning smell; Melted door switch module (visible charring and melting of plastic); Window controls inoperative; Door locks inoperative (key fob does not work); All four windows cycle up and down uncontrollably before stopping in down position
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement of door module (part 25811557 cited). First recall (12180) involved applying a sealer coating as a 'band-aid' fix; this failed within months. Second recall involved replacement. Cost to owners: ~$1,000 out of pocket when warranty expired or recall denied; one owner paid $477.92 for repair when dealer initially refused recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 12180 (2012–2013) involved coating the module. Recall 13V248000 issued later (May 2013) for replacement. Recall 14V404000 also references door module replacement. Multiple owners report dealer denying recall coverage claiming VIN not included, despite having identical symptoms and vehicle year. GM delayed recall announcement; one owner's house burned down before recall was publicly announced on 8/8/14. Some owners not notified of active recalls.
Low Beam Headlight Failure Due to Body Control Module (BCM) Dependency
Low beam headlights fail to illuminate when the dashboard light switch is turned to the 'headlight' position. Root cause is a faulty Body Control Module (BCM) located under the rear seat. The system routes ALL low-beam activation signals through the BCM rather than providing a direct manual override. When the BCM fails, the relay under the hood never receives the enable signal, leaving the driver with only high beams or fog lamps as alternatives—a critical safety defect.
When: Random, during day or night operation. Occurs at various mileages; one complaint at 137,000 miles, another unspecified. Failures are intermittent in some cases (lights go out for a few minutes then come back on).
Symptoms owners cite: Low beam headlights do not illuminate when switch set to 'on' position; Daytime running lights (DRL) do not illuminate; High beam headlights still work; Fog lamps still work; Lights go out intermittently while driving; Lights suddenly work again after a few minutes
Repairs/costs cited: Repair requires BCM replacement (cost not specified in narratives). One owner approved $278 repair after dealer refused to cover under recall. Several owners unable to obtain repair because VIN excluded from recall or dealer diagnostic cost ($120) not pursued.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14291 issued for low beam failures; however, multiple owners report their VINs excluded from the recall despite having identical symptoms. Recall 13V248000, 12V406000, and 15V519000 also referenced but VINs deemed ineligible. No alternative repair solution offered to excluded vehicles.
Power Window Regulator Cable Failure
Driver or passenger side power window regulator cable frays or breaks, preventing the window from moving up or down until the cable is replaced. Two instances of the same regulator cable failure on the same vehicle within 7 months.
When: August 2014 on driver side; March 2015 on passenger side (same vehicle, ~7 months apart). Another incident July 2011 on right front window. Failures occur at relatively low mileage (under 5,000 miles per year).
Symptoms owners cite: Window will not move up or down; Frayed regulator cable (visually evident upon repair)
Repairs/costs cited: Requires replacement of door regulator cable assembly. Cost cited: $340 for one repair. Owner paid out of pocket twice for the same issue on same vehicle in under a year.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer involvement mentioned; owner handled repair independently.
Window Switch Intermittent Operation & Melting
Driver side window switch becomes warm or hot, then stops working. In some cases, the switch melts from internal heat generation without blowing a fuse or breaker, indicating a lack of overcurrent protection.
When: Intermittent failure; can occur after repeated use or spontaneously. One instance involved snow falling on driver door module triggering failure shortly after.
Symptoms owners cite: Window switch becomes inoperative; Switch gets warm or hot to the touch; Switch melts internally without tripping fuse/breaker; No sparks or smoke in these cases, but thermal risk
Repairs/costs cited: Requires switch replacement. One owner replaced switch three times in two months before fuse box overheated and burned the owner's hand, causing a blister.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None noted; one owner cited recall 12V406000 but was unsure of status.
Power Seat Switch Failure & Fuse Box Overheating
Power driver seat adjustment switch fails repeatedly. When owner attempted to replace the fuse, the fuse box itself was so hot it caused a burn blister on the owner's hand. The repeated switch failures and extreme fuse box heat suggest an electrical short or overcurrent condition not being properly isolated.
When: Switch failed four times within a two-month period.
Symptoms owners cite: Power seat switch does not operate; Fuse box extreme heat (hot enough to cause second-degree blister on skin contact); Repeated switch failures
Repairs/costs cited: Switch replaced multiple times (four replacements in two months). Fuse box overheating suggests root cause may be upstream electrical fault.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 12V406000 (Electrical System, Visibility) was discovered by owner during investigation but no dealer or manufacturer notification had occurred at time of complaint.
Engine Stall Without Warning
Engine suddenly stalls while driving at highway speeds without any warning lights illuminating initially. Vehicle can be restarted but stalls again later. Dealers replace multiple components (computer/ECM, ignition coil, accelerator pedal) without resolving the issue, suggesting an underlying electrical or control module problem.
When: Multiple incidents: one at 79,000 miles (fourth occurrence), one at 5 mph, one at 50 mph on ten separate occasions, another at 100,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while driving; Vehicle stalls without warning; Can be restarted but stalls again; In some cases, check engine light and air bag warning light illuminate after stall; In one case, vehicle suddenly decelerated from 55 mph to 20 mph
Codes mentioned: P1682 (Short circuit in ignition throttle)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers attempted repair by replacing: computer system/ECM, ignition coil, accelerator pedal, and ignition switch. None of these repairs resolved the issue. One owner was told at final visit that the dealer could not diagnose the problem and manufacturer would contact them later (no follow-up provided).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer filed a report after owner contacted them; stated they would contact owner at a later date but no follow-up documented. One owner cited faulty ignition switch and suspected faulty ECM/PCM with code P1682.
Limp Mode / Reduced Power Mode Activation
Vehicle enters limp mode (reduced power mode) and drastically reduces speed to under 35 mph while driving at highway speeds. Check engine light comes on. Multiple codes cleared by dealer without resolution. Months later, engine locked and became completely non-functional.
When: While driving at 65 mph; limp mode persisted for extended period. Subsequent engine lockup occurred months later.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving 65 mph; Warning indicator illuminates for limp mode; Vehicle speed restricted to less than 35 mph; Unable to drive faster even with accelerator input; Eventually, engine locks completely and fails to function
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer kept vehicle for over two weeks, cleared multiple codes, but could not provide a solution. Vehicle remained undrivable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified of the failures.
Ignition Switch Malfunction & Key Stuck
Ignition switch fails to turn on or becomes stuck. When the key is inserted, it will not turn. Alternatively, all instrument panel lights illuminate when attempting to start, and HVAC system fails.
When: Occurs at ~47,000 miles and at unknown mileage. One incident involved key becoming stuck in ignition during startup attempt.
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn in ignition switch; Key stuck in ignition; All instrument panel lights illuminate upon startup attempt; Heat and air conditioning fail; Vehicle will not start
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of ignition switch required. One owner had vehicle towed to independent mechanic; another went to dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer replaced ignition switch; manufacturer not notified in other case.
Electronic Control Module (ECM/PCM) Failure
Electronic control module (ECM/PCM) fails, causing vehicle to switch from 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive without warning. On three separate occasions at various speeds, the drive mode changed unexpectedly.
When: Three separate occasions at very low mileage (first failure at 12,400 miles, current mileage 14,000).
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle switches from 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive without driver input; Uncontrolled drive mode shifting
Repairs/costs cited: ECM replacement needed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Diagnosis by dealer indicating ECM failure; repair status unknown.
Fuel Gauge Erratic Operation
Fuel gauge needle goes haywire, jumping to empty and triggering low fuel indicator light despite fuel being present in tank.
When: Starting February 2014; after approximately 100 miles of driving, the gauge would drop to empty.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge needle erratic; Needle jumps to empty; Low fuel indicator light comes on despite fuel in tank
Repairs/costs cited: No repair action documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None.
Passenger Air Bag Warning Light Always On
Passenger air bag warning indicator light remains illuminated continuously, regardless of whether the seat is occupied or empty.
When: Starting November 2013.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger air bag warning light illuminated constantly; Light remains on whether seat occupied or unoccupied
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None noted.
Air Bag Warning Light Illumination (Unknown Cause)
Air bag warning light illuminates while driving at various speeds and persists constantly. Technician unable to determine the root cause.
When: Occurs constantly at unknown mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Air bag warning light illuminates while driving; Failure recurs constantly
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspected but could not determine failure. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no resolution provided.
Tire Pressure Monitor Malfunction
Check tire pressure warning light remains illuminated continuously and the message displays on the information screen, even after tires are properly inflated to correct pressure by gauge or mechanic.
When: Ongoing issue; one owner reported having issue for 2+ years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Check tire pressure light always illuminated; Message displays on information screen; Occurs every time vehicle is started; Persists despite proper tire inflation
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; one owner noted specific concern that light's constant illumination creates 'boy who cried wolf' scenario—actual low pressure events may be ignored.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None.
Rear Wiper Involuntary Operation
Rear wiper operates on its own without driver input. The only way to turn it off is to turn it fully on and then turn it completely off manually.
When: Within one week of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wiper comes on by itself; Requires manual full-on then full-off sequence to stop
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None.
Hazard Lights Stuck On
Hazard lights fail to turn off during inclement weather and remain illuminated uncontrollably.
When: During bad weather; occurred at 88,750 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Hazard lights will not turn off; Stuck in on position during rain
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed that power fuse box needed to be replaced; vehicle not repaired at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None.
Power Fuse Box Failure
Power fuse box fails and requires replacement. Associated with hazard light malfunction and window module fire risk.
When: At 88,750 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Hazard lights fail to turn off; Multiple electrical failures
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis: power fuse box replacement required. Vehicle not repaired at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None.
Stabilizer Control (StabiliTrak) Light Activation
Service StabiliTrak warning light comes on repeatedly while driving, causing the check engine light to also illuminate. This causes the vehicle to lose power while driving.
When: Occurs while driving; triggered power loss condition.
Symptoms owners cite: Service StabiliTrak light illuminates; Check engine light illuminates concurrently; Vehicle loses power while driving; Light comes on repeatedly
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None.
Power Mirror Malfunction
Power mirrors operate erratically or fail to function correctly; described as having 'a mind of their own.'
When: Owner had vehicle for 2+ years; ongoing issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Mirrors move on their own; Mirrors not responsive to driver input
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None.
Heated Seat Intermittent Operation
Heated seats fail to operate consistently; function works sometimes but not others.
When: Ongoing issue; owner had vehicle 2+ years.
Symptoms owners cite: Heated seats do not work consistently; Intermittent operation
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None.
Turn Signal Failure (Left Directional)
Left turn signal (directional light) stops working.
When: At unknown mileage; reported at 2+ years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Left turn signal does not illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None.
Door Lock Malfunction
Door locks fail to function. Key fob does not unlock doors, and manual unlock becomes necessary. In some cases, doors cannot be locked at all.
When: Intermittent; can occur after snow exposure or spontaneously at unknown mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Key fob does not unlock vehicle; Doors remain unlocked or cannot be locked; Manual unlock required
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs documented; one owner had to drive with unlocked doors due to fear of fire risk.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 12V406000 (Electrical System, Visibility) was referenced but not applicable; one owner received recall notice for upcoming repair with parts availability estimate in March (notification in December prior).
Passenger Side Instrument Panel Fire
Fire starts in the passenger side instrument panel while vehicle is being driven. By the time the vehicle was pulled over and fire department arrived, the entire passenger compartment was engulfed in flames. Fire department confirmed cause as electrical failure in the instrument panel.
When: At 28,000 miles (brand new vehicle).
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke observed coming from passenger side instrument panel; Flames engulf passenger compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss; fire department disabled the vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None noted; police report filed.
Instrument Panel & Gauge Cluster Electrical Failures (Multiple)
Multiple electrical issues affecting instrument panel including all dashboard lights illuminating, gauge readings fluctuating (oil gauge), and information screen display failures.
When: At various mileages (50,000 miles for oil gauge fluctuation).
Symptoms owners cite: All instrument panel lights illuminate uncontrollably; Oil gauge reading fluctuates erratically; Information screen malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in most cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None noted.
Synthesized from 66 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
There have been 3 recalls on this vehicle. The module was "fixed" but was not replaced during the first recall. I have not received any further recalls from gm for this problem. Each time I check the VIN on the computer or with the dealer, it comes up "no further recalls on this vehicle". The "fix" only lasted about 11 months!! (and that was less than 9000 miles, since I do not drive much).…
Headlights failed causing lights to go out while driving. Only the bright lights will work. Some kind of electrical malfunction. From my research, there have been many others. *tr
I have had my envoy slt now for 2 years and since I've driven it, the check tire pressure is always on for my right rear tire always reads 0, my mirrors have a mind of there own, the heated seats don't always work and now my left directional doesn't work! Got a letter stating there was a recall on the driverside door but no parts available! Unhappy GMC envoy driver not sure its such a safe…
I tried to unlock my car doors with the key fob. All other doors unlocked except driver's side door. I manually unlocked it and noticed an odor that smelled "hot". I proceeded to turn on my car and try to roll the window down which suddenly would not work. The entire panel on the drivers side door would not function. I drove about .3 miles and my drivers side window started to go down and then…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 GMC envoy. While the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the contact observed clouds of smoke in the vehicle. The contact noticed that the switch on the driver's side door had melted. The fire department was not called. There were no visible flames. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number:…
Smoke from driver door control. Vehicle parked. Windows, door locks now inoperative. *tr
Electrical fire inside left front door, window switch and trim panel caught on fire, all doors locked up. *tr updated 09/08/11 *bf
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2007 GMC Envoy?
It's a meaningful issue. 66 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 57 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 60,000 and 113,008 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 113,008. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.