GMC Canyon Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank GMC Canyon model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2010 drew the fewest (8) and the 2015 the most (303).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
8 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 16–21 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
8 | 2 | Service brakes | 4★ | 16–20 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
8 | 2 | Power train | 4★ | 16–20 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
11 | 2 | Air bags | 4★ | 18–23 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
12 | 5 | Air bags | — | 16–21 |
| 2020 | 14 | 0 | Power train | 4★ | 19–23 |
| 2019 | 17 | 0 | Power train | 4★ | 15–23 |
| 2012 | 23 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 16–21 |
| 2022 | 26 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 19–23 |
| 2009 | 27 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 16–20 |
| 2008 | 38 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 15–20 |
| 2007 | 42 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 15–20 |
| 2006 | 48 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 17–21 |
| 2018 | 52 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 15–25 |
| 2023 | 62 | 3 | Electrical system | 4★ | 16–20 |
| 2017 | 66 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 15–25 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
113 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 17–21 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
206 | 3 | Exterior lighting | 4★ | 16–20 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
270 | 4 | Steering | 4★ | 16–25 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
303 | 8 | Steering | 4★ | 16–22 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the GMC Canyon years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2015 GMC Canyon: 303 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 226 (75%); Power train 38 (13%); Electronic stability control 36 (12%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 54,680 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2016 GMC Canyon: 270 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 180 (67%); Power train 39 (14%); Electrical system 37 (14%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 47,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2005 GMC Canyon: 113 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 23 (20%); Service brakes 20 (18%); Structure 13 (12%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,106 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The GMC Canyon years with the fewest complaints
2010 GMC Canyon: 8 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 2 (25%); Vehicle speed control 2 (25%); Fuel system 1 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2021 GMC Canyon: 11 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (18%); Power train 2 (18%); Steering 2 (18%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2011 GMC Canyon: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 3 (25%); Electrical system 3 (25%); Engine 3 (25%).
5 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in GMC Canyon owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 206 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 62 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3,000 |
| 2022 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25,000 |
| 2017 | 66 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2016 | 270 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 47,000 |
| 2015 | 303 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 54,680 |
| 2012 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2011 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 54,856 |
| 2008 | 38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 68,000 |
| 2007 | 42 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 73,984 |
| 2006 | 48 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2005 | 113 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 50,106 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest GMC Canyon recalls
- BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION LOSS (2004–2006 model years; 404,733 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2006; 06V139000)
- CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS FMVSS 225 (2004–2011 model years; 192,676 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2010; 10V575000)
- BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION (2004–2009 model years; 185,903 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2009; 09V310000)
- Secondary Hood Latch/FMVSS 113 (2010–2012 model years; 118,800 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2012; 12V594000)
- Loss of Power Steering Assist (2015 model year; 60,681 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2021; 21V213000)
All 31 GMC Canyon recall campaigns · GMC Canyon problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
GMC Canyon years FAQ
Which GMC Canyon year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2010 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (8). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there GMC Canyon years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2015, 2016 and 2005 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common GMC Canyon problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (446 of 1,354 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the GMC Canyon have?
NHTSA lists 31 recall campaigns covering the GMC Canyon. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the GMC Canyon recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.