GMC Canyon 1st generation (2004–2012)
Generation-specific owner insights from 28+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2004–2012 Canyon?
448
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2004–2012
27
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the 2004-2012 Canyon is mixed but leans negative, with several owners describing the truck as feeling cheap or "falling apart" even when new, and one calling the GM light trucks of this era "pure and complete rusted trash." Critics point to electrical and ABS problems, a troublesome Passlock system, and general build quality concerns, while a smaller group of long-term owners report their trucks as remarkably durable, with one 2005 Colorado owner reaching 280,000 miles and a 2006 four-cylinder owner citing only a thermostat and fuel sensor issue over many years.
14 problems reported (2 recurrent, 12 isolated) · medium confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentEvap system errors including P0449
Traced variously to the gas cap, variable timing solenoid, airbox/PCV hose, and evap vent solenoid.
- RecurrentGeneral rattles and cheap feel from new
- IsolatedPasslock system annoyance
+ 11 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedThird brake lamp seal
- IsolatedEngine coil failure (replaced twice on one truck)
- IsolatedFuel tank vent valve and thermostat replacement
- IsolatedBrake switch failure
- IsolatedDome light/combo switch box issue tied to a recall
- IsolatedElectrical harness and ABS problems leading to a truck being junked at 80,000 miles
- IsolatedThermostat and fuel sensor issues
- IsolatedRust
- IsolatedDriveshaft failure requiring rebuild or replacement
- IsolatedTie rod replacement
- IsolatedAlternator and battery replacement
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The strongest positive signals come from the 2.8L four-cylinder engine, which multiple owners describe as reliable and fuel-efficient, and from 2006-2007 model years in long-term ownership accounts.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet S-10.
Is a 2004–2012 Canyon right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Full owner reportHide full owner report
Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment for the 2004-2012 Canyon is mixed but leans negative, with several owners describing the truck as feeling cheap or "falling apart" even when new, and one calling the GM light trucks of this era "pure and complete rusted trash." Critics point to electrical and ABS problems, a troublesome Passlock system, and general build quality concerns, while a smaller group of long-term owners report their trucks as remarkably durable, with one 2005 Colorado owner reaching 280,000 miles and a 2006 four-cylinder owner citing only a thermostat and fuel sensor issue over many years. The 2.8L four-cylinder is repeatedly praised as a gas saver with a reliable engine, and the five-cylinder is acknowledged as an option. No clear early-versus-late model-year split emerges, though the 2006 and 2007 model years draw the most positive long-term ownership stories.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners who dislike the Canyon steer buyers toward the Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma, with one highly upvoted comment explicitly recommending those over the GM light trucks of this era. Others suggest skipping the compact segment entirely and buying a full-size GM truck with the tried-and-true 4.3 Vortec, reasoning that fuel economy is in the high teens either way. The Canyon is also compared unfavorably to the S-10 it replaced, with one owner noting they see plenty of old S-10s on the road but not many old Canyons.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available. Owners discussing the four-cylinder describe it as a "gas saver" with an engine that "runs like new" at high mileage, and one owner specifically asks whether a truck has the four- or five-cylinder before advising, but no configuration consensus is reached.
General recommendations
Owners frame this generation as a cheap commuter or "beater" candidate rather than a desirable truck, and several advise that a 20-year-old example will have issues regardless. Inspection is emphasized over reputation, since condition varies widely. Buyers are warned to verify key fob compatibility via RPO codes before purchasing remotes, and to check the third brake lamp seal, the Passlock system, and emissions components. One owner recommends starting with the cheapest emissions fix (an OEM gas cap) before pursuing smoke tests and solenoid replacements. Sellers are cautioned that maintenance spending does not translate to resale value, with book value cited around $4,800-$6,600 for a 2005.
Remarks
One owner reports the truck saved their life in a wreck that twisted the frame, and another describes a 2006 four-cylinder surviving three deployments, three wrecks, a divorce, and multiple cross-country trips. Key fob programming on this generation requires a GM Tech2 scanner or a dealer, and some trucks may lack the RPO codes for remote capability entirely. A V8-swapped 2009 example was judged to have little added value from the modification. Analysis based on approximately 28 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 29 | 2 | electrical system |
| 2011 | 23 | 5 | unknown or other |
| 2010 | 39 | 2 | unknown or other |
| 2009 | 29 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2008 | 42 | 2 | electrical system |
| 2007 | 45 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2006 | 48 | 4 | electrical system |
| 2005 | 113 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2004 | 80 | 3 | structure |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2012 · latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchcampaign 12V594000
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.
2012 · seat belts:frontcampaign 11V552000
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.
2011 · visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motorcampaign 11V276000
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. WHEN THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED WITH A BUILD-UP OF SNOW OR ICE, OR IF THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED ON A DRY WINDSHIELD, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN. IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT LOOSENING OF THE NUT, THE WIPERS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
2011 · latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchcampaign 12V594000
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.
2011 · power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)campaign 11V337000
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.9 OR 3.7 LITER ENGINE AND A FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT," AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENT CLIP THAT MAY NOT RETAIN THE SHIFT CABLE IN THE CORRECT POSITION. IF THE SHIFT CABLE IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION, THE PRNDL SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR. THE DRIVER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK."
2011 · child seatcampaign 10V575000
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.
2011 · suspension:rear:axle:spindlecampaign 11V007000
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.
2010 · latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchcampaign 12V594000
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.
2010 · child seatcampaign 10V575000
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.
2009 · fuel system, gasolinecampaign 09V154000
GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON XL, AND CANYON VEHICLES. THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH AN ADHESIVE SEPARATION OF THE ROOM TEMPERATURE VULCANIZING (RTV) SEAL BETWEEN THE SEAL AND THE HOUSING MAY ALLOW WATER TO SEEP INTO THE MODULE.
2009 · child seatcampaign 10V575000
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.
2009 · exterior lighting:brake lights:switchcampaign 09V310000
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.
3 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.