CSR

GMC · NHTSA safety record

2011 GMC Canyon

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

12

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 GMC Canyon have filed 12 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2011 and September 2024. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 3 of them (25%). The typical failure was reported at 51,073 miles, the median across the 8 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (5)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

12V594000 · December 19, 2012

The defect
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.
The risk
If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

General Motors LLC · up to 118,800 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

11V337000 · June 28, 2011

The defect
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.9 OR 3.7 LITER ENGINE AND A FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT," AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENT CLIP THAT MAY NOT RETAIN THE SHIFT CABLE IN THE CORRECT POSITION. IF THE SHIFT CABLE IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION, THE PRNDL SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR. THE DRIVER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK."
The risk
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AS THE DRIVER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS EXIT THE VEHICLE OR HAVE EXITED, RESULTING IN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE STRIKING THEM OR SOMEONE AROUND THE VEHICLE, OR COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy
GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENT CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

GENERAL MOTORS LLC · up to 6,768 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

11V276000 · May 6, 2011

The defect
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. WHEN THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED WITH A BUILD-UP OF SNOW OR ICE, OR IF THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED ON A DRY WINDSHIELD, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN. IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT LOOSENING OF THE NUT, THE WIPERS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
The risk
DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL SECURE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM NUT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MAY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

GENERAL MOTORS LLC · up to 4,674 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

11V007000 · January 6, 2011

The defect
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.
The risk
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · up to 30,566 vehicles across all model years covered

CHILD SEAT

10V575000 · November 18, 2010

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · up to 192,676 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 12.

AIR BAGS 3 25%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 25%
ENGINE 3 25%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2 17%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 17%
POWER TRAIN 2 17%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 8%
STRUCTURE 1 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 8%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 3.

2011 2014 2024
2011 to 2024

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE
Since I purchased this Canyon in 2019, I've had many occurrences (at least twice a week) of the truck not starting. Through my research on line, I've found other Canyon owners experiencing the same problem. Long story short, the ignition locks and the truck cannot be started unless I wait 10 minutes. This problem interferes with my daily life. I believe GMC should correct this problem.

NHTSA complaint 11616997. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Recall #11181 for 2011 Canyon SLE says GM will replace the automatic transmission adjustment CLIP for free. Recall was established in a GMC assembly plant when a truck would not start. Our truck randomly does not start and we’ve had it looked at with no problems found to indicate why it randomly does not start. We wait 15-20 minutes and then it will start. This recall is not being honored at a GMC dealership because of no longer available, they say. Can you help us with this issue? Again, the recall # is 11181.

NHTSA complaint 11483654. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON . TRUCK WILL SHUT DOWN WHEN THE TRUCK IS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES AN HOUR LESS OR MORE. WHEN YOU START THE TRUCK IT SHUTS OFF AGAIN. OR WILL START RIGHT UP AND WASH IT RIGHT BACK DOWN. THE SAFETY BELT LIGHT COMES ON OR IS THE CAR LOCKED I SHOULD SAY. WHICH IS THE LITTLE PICTURE WITH THE CAR WITH THE LOCK ON IT. I HAVE VIDEOTAPED WHAT COMES ACROSS THE DASH AND HASN'T SHOWN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. SHUTS OFF AGAIN. OR WILL START RIGHT UP IN THE SHUT RIGHT BACK DOWN. SAFETY BELT LIKE COMES ON OR IS THE CAR LOCK I SHOULD SAY. WHICH IS THE LITTLE PICTURE WITH THE CAR WITH THE LOCK ON IT. I HAVE

NHTSA complaint 11186002, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

100,000 miles

MY AIR BAG SENCER IS KEEPING ME FROM GETTING A STICKER AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

NHTSA complaint 11144862. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

77,089 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE DETERIORATION ON THE LOWER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER AND FRAME. THE DETERIORATION SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD FRACTURE. THE DEALER (FAIRFIELD CHEVROLET, 2501 MARTIN RD, FAIRFIELD, CA 94534, (707) 422-7777) WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 14 TSBS REGARDING THE STRUCTURE AND 12 TSBS FOR THE SUSPENSION; HOWEVER, NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,089.

NHTSA complaint 11075399. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

28,900 miles

THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING - SEE NTHSA BULLETIN 06V139000. AS EVIDENCE OF A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH GMC CANYON VEHICLES. WAS NOT EVEN AWARE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT UNTIL I CAME ACROSS THE NHTSA BULLETIN. ADDITIONALLY, THE ELECTRONICALLY ACTIVATED 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS SPORATICALLY STARTED TRYING TO ENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST BEGINNING TO MOVE FROM A DEAD STOP. THIS STARTED A MONTH AGO WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK. DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT COMING ON LAST NIGHT 12/16/16. CHECKED BULBS AND FUSES AND THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. BELIEVE THERE IS AN UNDERLYING ISSUE LIKELY RELATED TO NHTSA BULLETIN 06V139000.

NHTSA complaint 10935953. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the GMC Canyon

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 8 2
2024 205 3
2023 58 3
2022 24 1
2021 11 2
2018 52 1
2017 65 1
2016 267 4
2015 301 8
2012 23 2
2010 8 2

Other 2011 GMC models

Every GMC on this site — 144 vehicles, 425 recall campaigns and 3 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst