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2005 GMC Canyon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Canyon years

Owner complaints for the 2005 GMC Canyon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 38.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

87 reports with mileage · 26 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2011
Power Train

I PURCHASED 4 COOPER TIRES 8/18/10. I STARTED NOTICING A PROBLEM IN 1/11. THE SIDE WALLS WOULD BECOME VERY DARK BLACK ABOUT 2" DOWN FROM TREAD .THEN I NOTICED THE TRUCK NOT DRIVING RIGHT. SENSATION OF BEING STUCK IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. ALTOUGH IT WAS NOT STUCK IN 4 WHEEL. I ASKED MANY PEOPLE TODAY I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THEM. HIS R…

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I PURCHASED 4 COOPER TIRES 8/18/10. I STARTED NOTICING A PROBLEM IN 1/11. THE SIDE WALLS WOULD BECOME VERY DARK BLACK ABOUT 2" DOWN FROM TREAD .THEN I NOTICED THE TRUCK NOT DRIVING RIGHT. SENSATION OF BEING STUCK IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. ALTOUGH IT WAS NOT STUCK IN 4 WHEEL. I ASKED MANY PEOPLE TODAY I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THEM. HIS RESPONSE WAS FEEL THESE LUMPS ON THE TREAD. THIS IS WHERE BELTS HAVE SNAPPED INSIDE THE TIRES ALL 4 OF THEM!!THE SIDE WALLS ARE SLIGHTLY BULGED AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I WILL HAVE A BLOW OUT. I SAVED FOR THESE TIRES FOR 1 YR. COOPER ATR OWL 31X10.50 R15 LT. PLEASE HELP BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD NEW TIRES & I'D NOT WANT TO KILL SOME ONE ON THE ROAD.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404541

30,000 miles · Sep 10, 2008
Power TrainSuspensionCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A WET ROAD, THE WHEELS SPUN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TAILSPIN. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND DAMAGED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY REPAIRED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO OTHER REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A WET ROAD, THE WHEELS SPUN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TAILSPIN. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND DAMAGED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY REPAIRED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO OTHER REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, THE CONTACT ASKED IF THE VEHICLE HAD POST-TRACTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT DID; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE POST-TRACTION. WHENEVER HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN, HE HAS TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH TO AVOID TAIL SPINNING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10241748

18,500 miles · Mar 1, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE OUTSIDE CONDITIONS WERE FREEZING THE LINKAGE FOR THE TRANSMISSION FROZE AS WELL. THIS RESULTED IN THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS UNTIL THE ICE MELTS. THE CONTACT STATED BY THE TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD ARRIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE ICE WOULD MELT. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY THE …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE OUTSIDE CONDITIONS WERE FREEZING THE LINKAGE FOR THE TRANSMISSION FROZE AS WELL. THIS RESULTED IN THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS UNTIL THE ICE MELTS. THE CONTACT STATED BY THE TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD ARRIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE ICE WOULD MELT. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10151506

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2006
Power Train

I HAVE A 2005 GMC CANYON 4WD CC P/U . THIS P/U WAS PURCHASED NEW IN MAY 2005. THE WINDOW STICKER CLEARLY LISTS AN AUTO LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL UNDER STANDARD EQUIPMENT. IN NOVEMBER 2005 GMC SENT A LETTER TO ME WHICH STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A AUTO LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL. AS OF THIS DATE (2-2-06) GMC ADMITS THAT THE WIN…

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I HAVE A 2005 GMC CANYON 4WD CC P/U . THIS P/U WAS PURCHASED NEW IN MAY 2005. THE WINDOW STICKER CLEARLY LISTS AN AUTO LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL UNDER STANDARD EQUIPMENT. IN NOVEMBER 2005 GMC SENT A LETTER TO ME WHICH STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A AUTO LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL. AS OF THIS DATE (2-2-06) GMC ADMITS THAT THE WINDOW STICKER IS WRONG, BUT OTHER OPTIONS WERE ADDED TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DONE. GMC ALSO IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS MISTAKE MADE BY THEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149320

8,800 miles · Sep 23, 2005
Power Train

9/21/05 WENT TO START VEHICLE AND THE IGNITION STAYED ENGAGED. HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP YET. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137395

100 miles · Sep 23, 2005
Power Train

WITHIN 1 WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 4/05 THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BANG INTO 2ND GEAR. IT DIDN'T MATTER IF YOU TOOK OFF SLOWLY OF ACCELERATED QUICKLY. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DID A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DO THIS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137394

2,400 miles · Feb 16, 2005
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS INADVERTENTLY LOCKED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN. *JB THE PAN ON THE FRONT DIFFRENTIAL HANGS DOWN 1/8 INCH AND THE DIFFRENTIAL OIL LEAKS OUT. *EH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10108779

Official recalls

3

10V575000 · Child Seat

Nov 18, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

09V310000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Jul 29, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

06V139000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 27, 2006

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP (CHMSL) IS AFFECTED IN BOTH INSTANCES. ALSO, IF EQUIPPED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. ANY TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMP WIRING WILL MIMIC THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMPS WHEN EITHER CONDITION OCCURS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

RQ09001 · Brake Lamp Switch Malfunction

Opened Feb 25, 2009 · Closed Jul 30, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.ODI INITIALLY REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT, BUT LATER DOWNGRADED THE REPORT DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR COST INCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY TAPPED FROM BEHIND AT LOW SPEED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V0310).

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.ODI INITIALLY REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT, BUT LATER DOWNGRADED THE REPORT DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR COST INCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY TAPPED FROM BEHIND AT LOW SPEED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V0310).

Exterior Lighting

ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.ODI INITIALLY REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT, BUT LATER DOWNGRADED THE REPORT DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR COST INCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY TAPPED FROM BEHIND AT LOW SPEED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V0310).

PE05065 · Brake Lamp Switch Failure

Opened Dec 2, 2005 · Closed May 1, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

BY LETTER DATED APRIL 26, 2006, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V139) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-06 CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON AND 2006 MY ISUZU I280/I350 VEHICLES.GM'S RECALL COVERS 404,733 VEHICLES.GM REPORTS THAT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATION WAS CAUSED BY INSUFFICIENT PLATING ON THE STATIONARY CONTACT IN THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.GM WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WITH THE NEW SWITCH THAT HAS THE INCREASED PLATING ON THE STATIONARY CONTACT.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.