RoadVitals

2011 GMC Canyon Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Sep 28, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Canyon, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags315.8%
  • Driver assistance315.8%
  • Electrical315.8%
  • Engine315.8%
  • Exterior lighting210.5%
  • Brakes210.5%
  • Powertrain (other)210.5%
  • Body & structure15.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 VIDEOTAPED WHAT COMES ACROSS THE DASH AND HIS SHOWING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. ALL OF THIS IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH MY TRUCK AND HAS BEEN SINCE LATE FALL OF LAST YEAR. I TAKE IT TO MY DEALERSHIP TWICE WITH NO RESULTS . *TR

NHTSA ID 11186002 · filed Mar 11, 2019

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

NHTSA ID 11144862 · filed Nov 2, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 VIDEOTAPED WHAT COMES ACROSS THE DASH AND HIS SHOWING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. ALL OF THIS IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH MY TRUCK AND HAS BEEN SINCE LATE FALL OF LAST YEAR. I TAKE IT TO MY DEALERSHIP TWICE WITH NO RESULTS . *TR

NHTSA ID 11186002 · filed Mar 11, 2019

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 ID 10935953 · filed Dec 17, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF AT VARIOUS TIMES, MORESO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

NHTSA ID 10919122 · filed Oct 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,500.

NHTSA ID 10700627 · filed Mar 20, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11616997 · filed Sep 28, 2024

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 ID 11483654 · filed Sep 9, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 10935953 · filed Dec 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH WHEN IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V139000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,464.

NHTSA ID 10574718 · filed Mar 25, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WERE MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 10593479 · filed May 22, 2014

A DAY OR TWO AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE I WAS IN A CRAMPED PARKING LOT AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE GOING FORWARD AND ONCE IN REVERSE BEFORE I REALIZED THAT MY FOOT WAS PARTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PARTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES SINCE THEN. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN I AM WEARING WIDE SOLED WORK SHOES. (GMC MARKETS THIS VEHICLE AS A WORK TRUCK.) THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHICH CAUSED ME TO NEARLY TRAP A WOMAN WHO WAS STANDING BEHIND HER CAR IN A GAS STATION. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME BUT SHE AND I WERE BOTH VISIBLY SHAKEN BY THE INCIDENT. I REPORTED THE CONDITION TO THE DEALER FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BUT THE RESPONSE WAS THAT I SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10435421 · filed Nov 13, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 10935953 · filed Dec 17, 2016

I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT ARE TERRIFYING AS IT IS PUTTING MY FAMILY IN JEOPARDY. MY FIRST INDICATION OF A PROBLEM OCCURRED IN AUGUST 2013 AND CONTINUED UNTIL MAY, 2014, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO HAVE FIXED ITSELF AS I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS AFTER MAY 2014 UNTIL OCTOBER 2014. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE SOME CONNECTION TO COLDER WEATHER. THE STALLING PROBLEM IS NOW OCCURRING REGULARLY AND THE ERROR MESSAGES TEND TO DISAPPEAR OVERNIGHT BEFORE I CAN GET TO A DEALER. I AM KEEPING MY DRIVING TO A BARE MINIMUM UNTIL A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION IS FOUND. I DO NOT WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON PARTS AND ?FIXES? THAT DO NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM: CAR SUDDENLY REDUCES SPEED WITH NUMEROUS ERROR MESSAGES RUNNING ACROSS THE DASH SCREEN. I FORTUNATELY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SPEED WAS VERY SLOW; THE CAR BEGINS TO SHUDDER AND I HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. I NOTED THE FOLLOWING ERROR MESSAGES: REDUCED POWER, TRAC FAULT, SER STAB, SIST TRACTION. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RE-START THE ENGINE. WHEN RESTARTED ALL THE ERROR MESSAGES DISAPPEARED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. VARIOUS ERROR MESSAGES: P0657 (DEALER INSTALLED PEDDLE POSITION SENSOR 1/23/14 @ $229.63); SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED 2/19/14. P0615 (DEALER INSTALLED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR @ $100); SAME PROBLEM AGAIN OCCURRED 3/13/14. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING ?OUT OF WARRANTY? PARTS THAT DO NOT CORRECT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. REDUCED POWER HAS OCCURRED A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT THE ERROR MESSAGES DISAPPEAR BEFORE I CAN GET TO A DEALER. SINCE THE DEALERS WERE NOT ABLE TO PIN POINT THE PROBLEM, I APPEALED TO GM TO ADVISE HOW TO PROCEED TO RESOLVE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM BEFORE IT RESULTS IN A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10658993 · filed Nov 18, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11075399 · filed Feb 28, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .