Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2012 GMC Canyon: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 GMC Canyon, most recently filed December 2012. Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 GMC Canyon. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 GMC Canyon. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 12V594000 Filed Dec 19, 2012

Secondary Hood Latch/FMVSS 113

Latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported118,800 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V594000
Listed for 2012 GMC Canyon. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V552000 Filed Nov 17, 2011

OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION /FMVSS 208

Seat belts · front
Official NHTSA text
Summary
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS THAT DO NOT FIT SNUGLY WITH THE CONNECTOR PINS, CAUSING THE CONNECTION TO BE INTERMITTENT.
Consequence
THE LOOSE CONNECTIONS MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT RECEIVE A VISUAL OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Repair progress not yet reported5,593 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V552000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (23)

23 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
1involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 GMC Canyon, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 23.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other Canyon years

Best and worst Canyon years →
2008200920102011201220152016201720182019
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined

21
mpg combined
18
city
24
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,200
CO₂ tailpipe
423 g/mi
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year

Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2012 GMC Canyon configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 21$3,200423
2.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21$3,200423
2.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 21$3,200423
2.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21$3,200423
2.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 20$3,350444
2.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
3.7 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550468
3.7 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550468
3.7 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550468
3.7 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700494
3.7 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700494
3.7 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 16$4,200555
5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 16$4,200555
5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200555
5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200555

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 Canyon for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Canyon years

Where to next

2012 GMC Canyon FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Canyon have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 12V594000 (latch), 11V552000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 GMC Canyon problems?

Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (9), Service brakes (3), Air bags (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2012 GMC Canyon get?

EPA rates the 2.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 18 city, 24 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2012 Canyon compare with other years?

Among the 2008–2019 GMC Canyon model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (8) and the 2015 the most (303). The 2012 drew 23. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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