2008 GMC Canyon

Routine

Owners filed 38 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the GMC Canyon years to avoid. Which GMC Canyon years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
68,000 milesMedian miles at failure

31 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2008 GMC Canyon problems

8 of the 38 complaints (21%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes · brakes8
000
Engine7
000
Electrical System7
010
Structure › Body · body and frame4
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration2
100
Power Train · transmission2
000
Suspension1
000
Seat Belts1
000
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · transmission1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Child Seat10V575000
Filed Nov 18, 2010192,676 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2011, CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006, ISUZU I-280/I-350, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008, I-290/I-370, REGULAR CAB VEHICLES AND EXTENDED CAB VEHICLES WITHOUT A REAR SEAT AND EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT 60/40 SPLIT BENCH SEAT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE AND THE OWNER MANUAL DOES NOT INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING HOW TO USE THE TOP TETHER.

Risk. BOTH NHTSA AND GM DISCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A FRONT SEAT. NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY REQUIRE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A RESTRAINT IN THE FRONT CENTER SEATING POSITION OF THIS VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT OFFER A REAR SEAT. LACK OF ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR AND A LACK OF INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW TO USE IT, MAY RESULT IN IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESTRAINT'S PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEATED IN THE RESTRAINT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL CUT A HOLE INTO THE BACK PANEL TRIM COVER TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT POSITION AND WILL PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AS TO USE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR VISIT GM'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch09V310000
Filed Jul 29, 2009185,903 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, PUERTO RICO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND UTAH. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH THAT MAY NOT WORK AS DESIGNED DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE SWITCH.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN WHEN THE NEW DESIGN PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 17, 2026NC

When sitting at idle, the engine miss & spark knock at times. When start driving down the road the throttle seems hard to Press & takes a little time to reach up to road speed. The truck does not get good gas mileage at all. I had the spark plugs & wires changed still don't help.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Aug 11, 2023NY

Carrier Bearing ( Hanger Bearing) broken off mounts. Bearing is mounted via spot welds. The spot weld were not done properly. Was driving at about 30 MPH slowing down when the bearing broke loose from the mounts. The caused the drive shaft to swing about hitting the floor boards. Breaking the universal joint and drive shaft came apart. There was less that 300 miles on the bearing. The truck typical hauls one bicycle. The truck was not used in any commercial function. I'm retired and like to ride my bicycle. I was very lucky in the that I was slowing down for a light. The road I was one is 55MPH. If the drive shat had hit the ground at that speed I'm certain there would have been a very serious accident involving many vehilces.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2021168,000 milesTX

BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AT THE BRAKE PEDAL STICKING AND OUR BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON. WE NOTICE IT MOSTLY AFTER WE HAVE PARKED THE TRUCK AND TURN IT OFF. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ILLUMINATED, NOT ALWAYS RIGHT AWAY. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ILLUMINATED HAVE CAUSED OUR VEHICLE TO HAVE A DEAD BATTERY MANY TIMES. THIS ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO STAY ON HAS ACTUALLY CAUSED US TO HAVE TO BUY 2 BRAND NEW BATTERIES IN JUST OVER A 12 MONTH PERIOD. THIS ISSUE HAS KILLED OUR BATTERY AND LEFT US STRANDED FOR HOURS WHILE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME HELP US JUMP THE BATTERY. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR THIS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ISSUE, BUT THIS SPECIFIC YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. EVEN THO THIS TRUCK IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THE THE RECALL IS FOR. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 24, 2019156,000 milesMI

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER'S GARAGE FOR ROUTINE BRAKE WORK. HE SHOWED ME A CRACK IN THE FRAME ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH EXCLUDING AN INCH. HE FOUND IT WHEN HE TRIED LIFTING THE VEHICLE TO DO THE BRAKES. IT IS BEHIND THE CAB, IN FRONT OF THE BED OF THE TRUCK. ONLY ONE SIDE WAS HOLDING MY TRUCK TOGETHER.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 20, 2019156,000 milesMI

REPAIR SHOP LIFTED VEHICLE TO REPAIR FRONT BRAKES AND THE FRAME BROKE JUST BEHIND THE CAB.

Engine
Filed Jul 25, 201956,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. ALSO, THE DECREASING POWER MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT CALLED BISHOP GMC CADILLAC (400 MACKINAW AVE, CHEBOYGAN, MI 49721, (231) 627-5669) TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 12, 2018143,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. WHILE UNDERGOING BRAKE SERVICE AT TRADITION CHEVROLET BUICK (847 RTE 5, GENEVA, NY 14456, (315) 789-6811), THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR OF THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE FRAME BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 20, 2017FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON SPEED 2 AS SMOKE AND PLASTIC PARTICLES EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE SWITCHING TO SPEED 1, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THERE WAS ALSO NO RESPONSE FOR SPEED 3. THE AIR CONDITIONER FUNCTIONED AT SPEED 4, BUT WAS LATER TURNED OFF DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND RESISTER WERE COMPLETELY MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE RESISTER, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER SPEEDS 1 - 4 PROPERLY FUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE PARTS WOULD PREMATURELY FAIL AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; HOWEVER; THE CONTACT SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THERE WAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THIS FAILURE, BUT NOT FOR THIS SPECIFIC YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 9, 201772,000 milesLA

1. "THEFT DETERRENT" ILLUMINATES AND TRUCK WILL NOT START. HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES WITH KEY IN THE "ACC" POSITION AND THEN IT STARTS. HAPPENS OFTEN AT LEAST 2 TIMES A WEEK. ALSO, WHILE I AM DRIVING THE "THEFT DETERRENT" ILLUMINATES AT LEAST 4 TIMES A WEEK WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING BUT LUCKILY THE TRUCK DOES NOT STALL OR STOP.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 9, 201773,000 milesLA

"ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING. DURING THE FIRST 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THIS LIGHT APPEARS AND STAYS ON. THEN 15 MINUTES LATER AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH NO STOPPING OR TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THE LIGHT GOES OFF.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 9, 201768,000 milesLA

"REAR BRAKE LIGHTS" LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS GOING TO WORK AND A DRIVER NEXT TO ME INFORMED ME THAT BOTH MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING AS I WAS AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. THE RESULT WAS I REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKE BULBS AFTER SPENDING 2 HOURS OF IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM THINKING IT WAS MORE COMPLICATED. I ALWAYS CHECK ALL MY LIGHTS EACH MONTH MAKING SURE I AM IN COMPLIANCE!

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 9, 201748,000 milesLA

"TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR"(TPM). THE TPM IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATING ON MY DASH. I CHECK MY TIRES PLUS THE SPARE EVERY MONTH AND NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH THE INFLATION. I STILL HAVE THE FACTORY RIMS, WITH THE SAME TIRE SIZE ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER BUT NEWER WITH NO UPGRADES. NO DAMAGE TO RIMS OR TIRES EVER.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 9, 2017LA

"BRAKE PADS/SHOES" I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND SHOES DUE TO THE BINDING, SEQUELING NOISE THEY WERE MAKING. AS A RESULT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS DUE TO THE DAMAGE. WHEN I FIRST START THE TRUCK AND SLOWLY LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY, I COULD FEEL THE BINDING AND HEAR THE SEQUELING. AFTER DRIVING 20 MINUTES THIS ALL GOES AWAY. REPAIRS $500.00 WHICH IT DRIVES 100 PERCENT BETTER!

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 9, 201775,000 milesLA

"CRUISE CONTROL" WENT OUT AND I CANNOT FIND OUT WHERE THE PROBLEM IS. THE FUSES ARE EXCELLENT. WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN FOR NO REASON THE GREEN ILLUMINATION ON THE DASH THAT LET'S ME KNOW IT'S ON, WAS OFF. I TRIED TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. THE GREEN ILLUMINATION ON THE DASH DOES NOT COME ON ANYMORE EVEN AS I ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED.

Engine
Filed Nov 9, 2017LA

"FAN BELT PULLEY" I STARTED MY TRUCK AND WAS LEAVING WORK DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE FAN BELT BROKE. I HAD POWER BUT NO ACCELERATION TO THE TRUCK. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A FULL STOP IN THE PARKING LOT. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHERE I NOTICED THE FAN BELT WAS BROKE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY ACCREDITED MECHANIC WHICH HE SAID THAT THE SHAFT THAT HOLDS THE PULLEY WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF INSIDE THE ENGINE. COST TO ME $600.00

Engine
Filed Sep 15, 201643,384 milesIL

PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW WITH 417 MILES. FROM THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE AT START-UP, WHICH GRADUALLY WORSENED TO A LOUD KNOCKING AND VEHICLE SHIMMY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, SOMETIMES REQUIRING MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START. ORIGINALLY, IT WAS ONLY ON COLD START-UP. MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALER RESULTED IN INCORRECT DIAGNOSES OR NO DIAGNOSIS. FINALLY, AT 18,071 MILES, THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS LOOSE TIMING CHAIN AND WORN GEARS. ALL WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BUT NOT SOLVED. IT THEN BEGAN TO AGAIN WORSEN THROUGH MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP, UNTIL 43,384 MILES, WHEN IT WAS ONCE MORE DIAGNOSED AS THE TIMING HAVING JUMPED OR THE CHAINS HAVING STRETCHED. WE DECLINED TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE EVERYTHING WITH US PAYING FOR IT, AND HAD OUR OWN MECHANIC DO THE WORK. OUR MECHANIC BELIEVES THERE IS SOME SORT OF TIMING CHAIN DEFECT IN DESIGN OR COMPOSITION, WHICH KEEPS CAUSING/ALLOWING THE CHAINS TO STRETCH.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 26, 2016130,000 milesTX

PASSLOCK SYSTEM THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS AND NOW GETTING WORSE AND IS INTERMITTENT, WHEN I INSERT AND TURN THE KEY SOMETHING HAPPENS MAKING THE THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATE AND KEEPS THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING FOR EXACTLY 10 MINUTES. RECENTLY I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF TO SAVE GAS WHILE I WAS IN CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC AT A STAND STILL WITH A CONCRETE BARRIER ON BOTH SIDES AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START AND THE POLICE WERE GOING TO HAVE ME TOWED, LUCKILY AT STARTED AT 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK CAME. IN MY OPINION THIS CAN BE UNSAFE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS IF THE VEHICLE IS NEEDED FOR ANY TYPE OF EMERGENCY. BELOW I AM PASTING SOMETHING FROM THE WEB, BUT IT IS BASICALLY THE PROBLEM THAT I AND PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE HAVING. "THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE BEING LED IN CIRCLES BY ANY VEHICLE WITH A PASSLOCK II SYSTEM AND IT IS AN UNSAFE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. IT PREVENTS VEHICLES FROM RESTARTING IN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AREAS WHILE THE VEHICLE RESETS AND CAN PERMANENTLY DISABLE THE CAR IF NOT ADDRESSED. THE PROBLEM LIES IN A DESIGN OVERSIGHT AND CUTTING A MATERIAL COST BY PUTTING IN A CHEAP COMPONENT THAT ANY BASIC CHEMIST COULD TELL YOU WOULD GO BAD WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO. CHANGE YOUR IGNITION SWITCH CONTACT FROM NICKEL TO GOLD PLATED CONNECTORS AND OXIDATION WILL NOT CAUSE FAULTY READINGS TO TRICK YOUR VEHICLES INTO THINKING THAT THEY ARE BEING STOLEN AND SHUTTING OFF THE FUEL PUMPS. REMUNERATION FOR INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY THIS FINANCIAL

Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2016144,000 milesNV

VEHICLE SETS AN "AC OFF" FAULT MESSAGE FREQUENTLY. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES TO ZERO AND THE AC DOES NOT WORK. THE TRUCK IS NOT OVERHEATING AND NO OTHER FAULTS ARE SET. NO TROUBLE CODES ARE FOUND DURING SCAN. AFTER SOME TIME (20-50 MILES OF TRAVEL), THE FAULT DISAPPEARS AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND AC BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. THERE ARE LITERALLY 1,000'S OF MESSAGES ON DISCUSSION BOARDS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES ON DIFFERENT GM VEHICLES. PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED ONE, SOME, OR ALL COMPONENTS OF THEIR COOLING SYSTEM TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES GOES AWAY FOR A FEW HOURS OR A FEW MONTHS, BUT ALWAYS SEEMS TO RETURN. I HAD MY VEHICLE TO THE GM DEALERSHIP IN MAY 2016 AND THE CONDITION WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED AT THAT TIME. I PAID THE DEALERSHIP TO DO A COMPLETE SERVICING AND INSPECTION OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, WHICH INCLUDED THE COOLING SYSTEM. NO ANOMALIES WERE FOUND BY THE DEALERSHIP. SINCE THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, I REPLACED THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HOPING IT WAS A JUST A BAD SENSOR/CONNECTOR PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOT CHANGED THE CONDITION IN ANY WAY. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS POSSIBLY AN ISSUE RELATED TO THE ACTUAL PLACEMENT OF THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR. I'LL EXPLAIN WITH THE FOLLOWING SCENARIO: ONCE THE ENGINE COMES UP TO OPERATING TEMP, THE THERMOSTAT OPENS, AND WHEN THE COOLANT BEGINS TO CIRCULATE, THE TEMP SENSOR IS LEFT EXPOSED, THE TEMP GAUGE TANKS, AND THE SYSTEM KICKS INTO A SAFE MODE. WHILE THIS IS A GREAT SYSTEM SAFE RESPONSE, I AM PREVENT

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 12, 2016FL

THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM IS FAULTY...UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS MANY TIMES I GET STRANDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WON'T START DUE TO THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED FOR NO APPARENT REASON

Engine
Filed Jan 6, 2016140,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEFECT WAS A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT NOT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 03/11/16*LJ *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 17, 201567,500 milesKS

[XXX] [XXX] WICHITA KANSAS 67203 RETIRED [XXX]@YAHOO.COM [XXX] HIGHWAY MESSAGE: ANYTHING ON GENERAL MOTORS USE OF THE PASS2 SECURITY SYSTEM, IT RANDOMLY WILL NOT "READ THE KEY", AT WHICH POINT YOU MUST WAIT 15 MIN. TO TRY AGAIN. HAVE TALKED TO 2 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN THE LAST MONTH IN MY AREA. TALKED WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND ALL THEY WOULD OFFER IS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH, AT MY EXPENSE OF COURSE. DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE (GM) OF IT AS THEY ARE NOW ON SECURITY SYSTEM PASS4. THIS COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS IN A SUDDENLY HAZARDOUS AREA. DEALER OFFERED TO ASSESS MY VEHICLE, PROBLEM IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR ANOTHER MONTH OR MORE, ALTHOUGH IT HAPPENED TO ME ON THE 9TH OF NOVEMBER 2015 AND AGAIN ON THE 11TH. CAN'T REALLY AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR THAT LONG. MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 GMC CANYON. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Nov 5, 201534,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT GENTLY TOUCHED THE MEDIAN AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 1/12/16 *CN

Electrical System
Filed Nov 5, 201560,000 milesVA

ABOUT 3-4 DAYS PER WEEK THE TRUCK WILL NOT START. WE HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND LET THE TRUCK SIT FOR AROUND 10 MIN. AND THEN THE TRUCK WILL START, OR IF IT DOES START THE COMPONENTS ON THE DASH AND THE RADIO DOES NOT WORK AND WE HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SWITCH TO GET IT TO WORK.

Power Train
Filed Aug 25, 2015138,000 milesPA

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BECAME DISCONNECTED. WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED TO PARK THE TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN DRIVE AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY. UPON INSPECTION THE CABLE WAS HANGING LOOSE AND WHATEVER KIND OF RETAINING CLIP SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE WAS GONE. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SA,E ISSUE AS RECALL #11181 FOR 2011 MODELS.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 19, 201590,000 milesVA

ABOUT THREE TO FOUR TIMES A WEEK MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO REMOVE THE KEY WAIT TEN TO THIRTY MINUTES REINSERT THE KEY THEN THE TRUCK WILL START. SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK I MUST SHAKE THE KEY TO GET THE DASH BOARD AND RADIO TO WORK THEREFORE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE, THO THE VEHICLE SWITCH HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, ALTHOUGH SEVERAL OTHER GMC VEHICLES HAVE.

Seat Belts
Filed May 18, 2015129,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Power Train
Filed Apr 15, 201575,963 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE AVS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,963.

Engine
Filed Feb 15, 201526,000 milesNJ

WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE(ESPECIALLY COLD STARTS) THE ENGINE IS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THEN STOPS AFTER IT WARMS UP FOR A WHILE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME I NEED NEW LIFTERS AND HAVE A INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT GM IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING IN MANY DIFFERENT MODELS. HE EVEN SHOWED ME THE TECHNICAL BULLETIN GM HAS OUT ON IT TO TELL MECHANICS HOW TO REPAIR IT. I DID NOT HAVE HIM REPAIR IT BECAUSE OF THE COST AND BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE 30,000 MILES ON IT. I'M HOPING THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT TO FORCE GM TO RECALL IT. MY WARRANTIES ON IT HAVE EXPIRED. THANK YOU. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 23, 201415,000 milesKS

THE INITIAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE VEHICLE IGNITION ENGAGES ON ITS OWN WHILE PARKED WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. I WOULD NOTICE THE RADIO PLAYING ON OCCASION. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR THE BELLS SOUND LIKE THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION BUT IT IS NOT. ON OTHER OCCASIONS THE BATTERY WOULD JUST BE DRAINED DEAD. I TOOK IT IN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT GMC DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME I WAS TOLD SINCE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SOON AFTER, AND THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS THE SECURITY LIGHT LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD. NOTE: THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A SECURITY SYSTEM. THE LIGHT WOULD CLEAR WHEN I STOPPED THE TRUCK AND RESTARTED IT. FOR SEVERAL YEARS SINCE I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH TAILLIGHT BULBS AT A RATE OF ABOUT ONE PER MONTH. FINALLY A GMC DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUG FOR THE LIGHT BULB HAD MELTED / BURNED. ALL THESE INCIDENTS SEEM RELATED TO THE IGNITION / ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND SEEM TOO SIMILAR TO ALL THE OTHER ISSUES RECALLED TO NOT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN PREVIOUS RECALLS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 11, 2014CA

AT THE TIME OF ORIGINAL DISCOVERY OF A PROBLEM THE VEHICLES CRUISE CONTROL WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. MONTHS AFTER THE ORIGINAL DISCOVERY, A FRIEND STATED I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. I CHECKED THE FUSES AND BULBS BOTH WERE SATISFACTORY. I CONDUCTED A CHECK OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A VOLT METER AND THE SWITCH IS BAD. THERE IS NO INDICATION TO THE OPERATOR THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE CONDUCTED A VIN SEARCH OF MY VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT COVERED IN CURRENT OR PAST RECALLS OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE. I BELIEVE THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL IS NOT INCLUSIVE OF ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS ISSUE TRANSLATES TO VEHICLES THAT COME FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH TOWING PACKAGES, IN THAT IF AN OPERATOR IS TOWING AND USING THE FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING CONNECTORS WOULD THE LIGHTING OF THE TOWED VEHICLE BE AFFECTED AS WELL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 18, 201465,248 milesLA

I PURCHASED MY CANYON IN NOV 2007. AFTER A YEAR OF HAVING IT, IT WOULD NOT START. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE STARTER AND REPLACED IT. IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT. I REPLACED THE BATTERY. I'VE PURCHASED THREE BATTERIES SINCE OWNING THE TRUCK. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN TRYING TO START IT WONT START UNTIL AFTER SITTING IN THE TRUCK FOR EXACTLY 10 MINUTES. AFTER THAT IT WILL START. I NEVER NOTICED THE TIME DELAY PREVIOUSLY AND BOUGHT UNNECESSARY BATTERIES AND HAD A STARTER CHANGED. IF YOU LOOK ON GOOGLE ALL CANYONS AND COLORADO OWNERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM WON'T START FOR 10 MINUTES. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS A FAULTY PASSLOCK THAT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY $380.00. IF ALL THE TRUCKS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE ALARM SYSTEM PREVENTS THE STARTING OF THE TRUCK FOR EXACTLY 10 MINUTES.THIS CAN BE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH IN AN EMERGENCY. MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND ONLINE IN THE SEARCH. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 16, 201423,000 milesNJ

THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. MAINLY WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE ABS SENSOR WARNING SOUND WOULD COME ON AND WHEN STARTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR THE FIRST TIME THE ABS BRAKES WOULD ACTUALLY ENGAGE(VIBRATING PEDAL) AND IT WOULD FEEL AS THOUGH THE TRUCK WASN'T GOING TO STOP. AFTER IT DID STOP AND CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD THE NORMAL BRAKES WOULD ENGAGE. THEN THE WARNING SOUND/BEEP WOULD STOP BUT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD ALWAYS STAY ON. AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES HAPPENING I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A DEFECTIVE ABS SENSOR IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I ASKED THEM IF IT WAS STILL UNDER MY 6 YEAR WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME NO. IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT$1000 TO FIX. I TOLD THEM NOT TO FIX IT. AFTER, I MADE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT NOWHERE WITH THEM. I COMPLAINED BECAUSE I FELT THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING CAUSED BY ME AND WAS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT. AFTER GETTING NOWHERE WITH GMC I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD IT REPAIRED $900. I WRITE THIS COMPLAINT TO YOU BECAUSE THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FEEL IF IT HAPPENED TO MY GMC CANYON IT PROBABLY HAPPENED TO MANY OTHERS AND WOULD FORCE GM TO RECALL THEM. THANK YOU. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 15, 201432,000 milesIL

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS INFORMING ME THAT MY VEHICLE "MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE CONTAMINATION IN THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH COULD CAUSE THE LOSS OF BRAKE LAMPS OR CONTINUOUS ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE LAMPS". THE LETTER STATED NOT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A GMC DEALER UNLESS I BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAD THE CONDITION DESCRIBED. THEY OFFER TO REPLACE THE SWITCH ONLY IF IT FAILS FIRST. MY CONCERN IS THAT ILL FIND OUT MY BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILED AS ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDES WITH ME FROM THE REAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 7, 201395,000 milesTN

TRUCK WAS PARKED & LOCKED. UPON UNLOCKING TRUCK & TRYING TO START IT, DISCOVERED THAT VEHICLE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS FLASHING & VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WAITED TEN MINUTES & RESTARTED TRUCK. EACH TIME VEHICLE STOPPED & PARKED THAT DAY, SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER CHECKING INTERNET DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR CANYONS & COLORADOS!!! TWO SUGGESTIONS OFFERED ON INTERNET - 1) TAKE TO DEALER & SPEND BIG BUCKS FOR NEW COMPUTER CHIP. 2) ONCE TRUCK RUNNING, CUT WIRE TO THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM (BE ADVISED VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER HAVE A THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM). WENT WITH OPTION 2. CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS COMMON VEHICLE PROBLEM & NO FEDERAL ACTION TAKEN? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 25, 201312,100 milesFL

FOLLOWING THE FIRST INCIDENT NOTED ABOVE, THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER SUCH INCIDENTS, WHERE TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH RESULTED IN NO STARTER ENGAGEMENT, DEAD BATTERY INDICATION. FOLLOWING THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE ORIGINAL BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT FOLLOWING A JUMP START, THE ENGINE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 3 MILES TO AN AUTOMOTIVE PARTS STORE WHERE THE NEW BATTERY (ABOUT 1 MONTH OLD) WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO BE FULLY CHARGED AND IN GOOD CONDITION. FOLLOWING A THIRD INCIDENT ABOUT A MONTH AFTTER THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GM DEAALER FOR DIAGNOSING. THE DEALER SAID THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE BASED UPON THE COMPUTER CODE. DESPITE THE VEHICLE'S 2008 YEAR, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 14,769 MILES. MY OUT-OF-POCKET COST WAS $386. THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED OTHER GM PRODUCTS REPORTING THE SAME SWITCH FAILURE PROBLEM. *JS

Engine
Filed May 1, 201326,272 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE DEALER CLEANED THE ENGINE AND FUEL WIRING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V154000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,272 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Suspension
Filed Mar 1, 20093,000 milesIN

2008 GMC CANYON CREW CAB 4WD: PURCHASED NEW JUN08. IN JULY08 DEALER REPLACED 1 TIRE. IN DEC08 DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES. I ASKED ABOUT CAUSE FOR WEAR AND WAS TOLD "YOU GOT A BAD SET OF TIRES". FEB09 THE TRUCK IS IN AGAIN WITH CUPPED TIRES AND I'M TOLD I NEED TO PAY FOR AN ALIGNMENT TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN HARD, HAS MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES, DOES NOT PULL AND THE TIRES ARE ALWAYS PROPERLY INFLATED AND ROTATED......THE DEALER IS COVERING A BIGGER PROBLEM WITH MISDIRECTION OR MISINFORMATION TO GET TO THE END OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD -- THEN I'M STUCK WITH A BIG REPAIR BILL. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 11, 2009450 milesWA

THIS IS A NEW 2008 EXTENDED CAB 4X4 GMC CANYON. THE DOORS RATTLE ALL THE BECAUSE THE REAR DOORS ARE NOT MOUNTED TO THE FRAME BUT ONLY TO THE SKIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MEANS THERE IS CONSTANT FLEXING AND VIBRATING BETWEEN THE TWO DOORS AND THE DOOR FRAME. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES IN THE MONTH I'VE OWNED IT AND THEY SAY "THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS". THERE IS ALSO AN INTERMITTENT KNOCK IN THE RT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THAT THE DEALER CAN'T FIND. FINALLY THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT MATERIAL IS HAVING TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WEAR AND STRETCHING AND THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 500 MILES ON IT. *TR

All 38 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20268200Routine
20258200Routine
2024207300Above average
202362310Routine
202228100Routine
202112210Routine
202014000Routine
201917010Routine
201853100Routine
201766100Routine
2016271420Above average
2015303840Above average
201223210Routine
201112500Routine
20108200Routine
200927310Routine
2008 — this page38210Routine
200742320Routine
200648420Routine
2005113320Routine
200480340Routine

Compare every Canyon year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 18, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.