The 2006 GMC Envoy has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel gauge misreading and sending unit failure.” GMC trucks and SUVs use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — the same algorithm as Chevrolet. Because GMC's lineup is exclusively trucks and SUVs, severe-service intervals apply to most owners (towing, hauling, off-roading). The schedule below surfaces the items most relevant to GMC's truck-focused buyer.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 GMC Envoy.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
15 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2018-01
“INITIALLY, WHEN THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH FUEL, IT IMMEDIATELY INDICATED THAT THE CAR WAS EMPTY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON”
“TAKATA RECALL, GAS GAUGE WILL ONLY SHOW EMPTY”
“HI, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS METER ON MY GMC ENVOY 2006. IT HAS 38,000 MILES. THE GAS GAUGE SHOWS THAT THE GAS TANK IS EMPTY EVEN THOUGH I FILL IT UP”
ENGINE
9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 → 2018-08
“FAILURE OF THE DOD LIFTER, ALSO KNOWN AS THE ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. WHILE AT SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, THE DOD LIFTER ON CYLINDER #7 FAILED CAUSING A MISFIRE ON THE CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED TEH ENGINE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY”
“JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS MY 2006 GMC ENVOY DENALI HAS A BAD #7 LIFTER”
“HI ! AS MANY OTHER GMC ENVOY COSTUMER STOCK AT THE EARLIER 50-100 THOUSAND MILLES WITH ENGINE PROBLEM CAUSED BY MISFIRE CYLINDER”
SUSPENSION
8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2020-03
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN TO THE AXLE”
“THE REAR END BEGAN DEFLATING AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. AT FIRST IT WOULD AIR BACK UP WHEN STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THEN IT BEGAN TO TAKE A LONG TIME TO AIR BACK UP”
“WE OWN A 2006 GMC ENVOY DENALI XL WE NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE'S REAR SUSPENSION AIR RIDE AIR BAGS WERE DEFLATING”
POWER TRAIN
7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2021-03
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD”
“DRIVER HAD JUST EXITED A PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN ROAD IN THE EVENING. THE CAR WAS COLD, HAD NOT BEEN USED SINCE THE MORNING. THE CAR FAILED TO TAKE POWER AFTER SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT THAT WAS RED THAN CHANGED TO GREEN”
“LEAVING A RESTAURANT I WAS UNABLE TO PLACE MY CAR IN REVERSE OR FOR THAT MATTER ANY GEARS. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME A LITTLE PLASTIC PEACE THAT BROKE AND ADVISED ME IT WAS THE SHIFT LINKAGE”
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2018-09
“PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2006 GMC ENVOY FROM AN AUTHORIZED GMC DEALER IN COLUMBUS, OH, ON 12/31/2014. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE STABILITRAK FEATURE”
“I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH DOWN I-35 IN AUSTIN, TEXAS AND SUDDENLY MY CAR DROPPED TO ABOUT 40MPG AND THE "STABILITRAK OFF" MESSAGE APPEARED”
“WHILE ATTEMPTING A FULL STOP AFTER PULLING INTO PARKING LOT, VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, ABS CAME ON AND PREVENTED ENVOY FROM REACHING FULL STOP”
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
55 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2024-09
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE HEAD LIGHT FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
24 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2026-08
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR SHORTED OUT AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR WERE BURNT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE”
“HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER'S BLOWER MOTOR NOT BLOWING OR SOMETIMES BLOWING BUT NOT ON EVERY SPEED”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC ENVOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR AND DASHBOARD WERE FOUND TO BE BURNED”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
23 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2019-05
“ENGINE WOULDN'T CRANK AT TIMES. STARTS NORMALLY WHEN IT DOES. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF HAVING THIS PROBLEM I TOOK A THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. DIAGNOSTICS DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED”
“GM IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM WITH SUVS!!!!!!! WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WITH OUR GRANDKIDS AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. NO POWER STEERING, NO BRAKES”
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65-70 MPH. THE ENGINE LUGGED A LITTLE LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS BUT THE TANK WAS HALF FULL. THE ENGINE RESUMED RUNNING AT FULL SPEED. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change oil when OLS reaches 0% or every 12 months. dexos1-approved synthetic required on Sierra 1500 5.3L/6.2L; dexos2 specified on Duramax diesel.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Sierra and Yukon owners running 4x4 should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Towing accelerates pad wear by 30-50%; check more often if towing regularly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
DOT 3 brake fluid: test annually, replace when moisture exceeds 3% or fluid is darker than copper.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Long-life cellulose filter rated 45,000 miles. Trucks driven on unpaved roads or construction sites should inspect at every oil change.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Severe service (towing 5,000+ lbs regularly, heavy stop-and-go): every 45,000 miles. Normal: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI for 6L80/6L90, Mobil 1 LV ATF HP for 10L80/10L1000.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
On 4WD models, replace every 45,000 miles. Use GM Auto-Trak II for active 4WD; GM 9986115 for selectable 4WD.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Replace front and rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. G80 limited-slip rear axles require GM friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Iridium spark plugs on the L83/L84 5.3L and L86/L87 6.2L V8 are rated 100,000 miles. AFM/DFM cylinder deactivation can cause uneven plug wear — check at 75,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000. Duramax diesel uses ELC (red) — different chemistry, do not mix.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Sierra HD and Yukon XL owners in dusty work environments should replace at 15,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
89 crashes 1990–2024
How the 89 occupant deaths break down
66
driver deaths
22
passenger deaths
1
not recorded by seat
89
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2005 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
16
complaints mentioning a crash
29
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2006 GMC Envoy reflects GMC's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.