Home · 2011 GMC Canyon · Complaints

What 23 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Canyon

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (23)Airbags (8)Electrical system (3)Engine (3)Brakes (2)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (2)Lights (2)Transmission & drivetrain (2)Body & structure (1)Speed control (1)

Newest first · 23 complaints

Sep 28, 2024Engine

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 ODI 11616997

Sep 9, 2022Engine

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 ODI 11483654

Jun 3, 2020

THE DASH BOARD CRACKED. IT WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY TO A BRAND NEW ONE BY GM AND IT CRACKED WORST. THE AIRBAG AND A SPEAKER ARE THERE AND IT'S CONCERNING WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327166

Mar 11, 2019AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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 ODI 11186002

Nov 2, 2018Airbags

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

NHTSA ODI 11144862

Jul 24, 2018

DASH BOARD CRACKING. I HAVE A CRACK THROUGH THE DASH AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND ANOTHER DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. SHOULD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOY, PIECES OF THE BROKEN DASH COULD INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER INJURY

NHTSA ODI 11113269

Jul 16, 2018Airbags

MY DENALI HAS GOTTEN A CRACK ON THE DASH THAT RUNS DOWN TO THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG. THIS HAPPENED WHILE SITTING IN MY GARAGE IN 2016. I HAVE CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS. IT APPEARS TO ME AND OTHERS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE ALL OF THE DASHES ARE CRACKED ON THE ONE PIECE DASHES (2007-2014) EITHER ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OR AT THE AIRBAG. I'M AFRAID THAT IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS THAT THERE WILL BE PIECES OF THE DASH COMING WITH IT CAUSING INJURY. I KEEP MY VEHICLE GARAGE KEPT OR AT WORK I PUT A DEFLECTOR IN THE WINDOW TO KEEP THE SUN OFF THE DASH. I FEEL LIKE GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE DASH DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY. (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11111694

Feb 28, 2018Body & structure

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 ODI 11075399

Nov 10, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - MANUFACTURER UNABLE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI 11045231

Nov 6, 2017

MY DASHBOARD CRACKED FOR THE SECOND TIME. I ALREADY REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME IT CRACKED JANUARY 2015. IT HAS CRACKED FOR THE SECOND TIME. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS PART FOR IT TO HAPPEN 2 TIMES SINCE 2011. I CAN NOT BRING MYSELF TO PAY FOR THIS AGAIN AS IT COST AROUND $1,000.

NHTSA ODI 11043730

Nov 2, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVE A NOTICE STATING THAT TAKATA IS FILING CHAPTER 11 AND ON THE NOTICE IT TELLS ME TO CALL MY GM DEALER AND HAVE MY AIRBAGS REPLACED, AFTER CONTACTING MY SELLING DEALER ON 11/2/2017 I WAS TOLD THAT GM IS NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE TODAY AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN THE MATTER IS SETTLED, I'AM GETTING TWO DIFFERENT STORIES, WHAT I S THE REAL STORY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI 11042678

Aug 15, 2017

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED, AS IT HAS DONE ON INNUMERABLE VEHICLES OF THIS AGE RANGE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OCCUPANTS IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 11015318

May 25, 2017

I AM HAVING CONCERNS INVOLVING CRACKS IN MY DASH. I AM AFRAID THAT IN A ACCIDENT THAT THAT SHARDS OF THE PLASTIC DASH WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE KNIVES STICKING UP THAT COULD RIP THROUGH A BODY IN THE CASE OF ME OR A PASSENGER BEING THROWN TOWARD THE DASH AREA. OR THAT IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE DASH TO PIERCE THE AIRBAG, CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG OR DEPLOYING A SHARD OF PLASTIC TOWARD THE DRIVER OR ANY PASSENGER.

NHTSA ODI 10991686

May 25, 2017Airbags

THE DASH BOARD ON MY DENALI HAS CRACKED AND GOES DOWN INTO THE AIRBAG. I AM AFRAID IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY THE DASH WOULD FURTHER SHATTER AND CAUSE PARTS OF THE PLASTIC TO COME LOOSE FROM THE DASH CAUSING INJURY TO MYSELF OR ONE OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASH CRACKING. I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH BOARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY GM. I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT AS OF LATE THERE ISN'T ONE. WITH THE COST INVOLVED WITH THESE VEHICLES THERE SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I CONTACTED GM BUT I WAS TOLD THEY SAW NO PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT FIX THE DASH BUT WOULD BE GLAD TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT THAT THE COST WOULD BE MINE. PLEASE CONSIDER LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 10991678

May 2, 2017Airbags

WE CURRENTLY OWN A 2011 GMC DENALI. NEAR THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD FROM THE MIDDLE SPLIT TO THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. THIS WEEK, THERE IS A NEW SPLIT OVER THE STEERING WHEEL MAKING ITS WAY UP TO MOST LIKELY MEET THE EDGE OF THE DASHBOARD AT ITS STEERING WHEEL CURVE. IN DUE TIME, THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD IS GOING TO CAVE IN AND CAUSE A DRIVING DANGER. THE VIBRATION OF THE TRUCK IN MOTION SEEMS TO INITIAL THE SPREAD OF THE CRACKS. THIS ENGINEERING DEFECT, ALONG WITH THE INADEQUATE DASHBOARD MATERIAL IS A GROWING PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE INCREASING EVERY DAY. PIECES OF DASHBOARD FALLING INTO YOUR DRIVING CONSOLE AS YOU DRIVE AND SHARP EDGES NEAR THE AIR BAG ARE OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS IN MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10983003

Apr 6, 2017

THE DASHBOARD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE CRACK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE DASHBOARD MAKES VARIOUS VIBRATION, CHATTERING, AND RATTLING NOISES.

NHTSA ODI 10970954

Dec 17, 2016Transmission & drivetrainLightsSpeed control

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 ODI 10935953

Oct 26, 2016Electrical systemAirbags

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 ODI 10919122

Mar 20, 2015Electrical system

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 ODI 10700627

Nov 18, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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 ODI 10658993

May 22, 2014Electrical systemBrakes

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 ODI 10593479

Mar 25, 2014Lights

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 ODI 10574718

Nov 13, 2011Brakes

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 ODI 10435421

Working with the data? Download all 23 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 GMC Canyon verdict →