Photo: SsmIntrigue / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2011 GMC Canyon: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationOne of the better Canyon years.
23 owner complaints, most about air bags. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 Canyon?The 2011 GMC Canyon has 23 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine. Owners most often flag evap system errors including p0449: traced variously to the gas cap, variable timing solenoid, airbox/pcv hose, and evap vent solenoid.
Safety record for the 2011 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2011 GMC Canyon vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Canyon years only. How we score it
Is 2011 a good year for the Canyon?
Across the 21 Canyon model years we track, complaint volume runs from 12 (2021) to 321 (2015). With 23 complaints, the 2011 Canyon sits below the model's median of 42.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2011 Canyon
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 11V276000GENERAL 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.
latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Campaign 12V594000General 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.
power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Campaign 11V337000GENERAL 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."
child seat
Campaign 10V575000GM 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.
Show 1 more recall
suspension:rear:axle:spindle
Campaign 11V007000GENERAL 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.
What owners report on the 1st generation Canyon
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.
- 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
- IsolatedThird brake lamp seal
- IsolatedEngine coil failure (replaced twice on one truck)
Owner insights for the 1st generation Canyon. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Canyon listings typically run $20,344–$36,188.
Other Canyon model years
Compare every Canyon year side by side to see how 2011 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Canyon against its rivals
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