2011 Gmc Canyon problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (2) · Electrical System (2) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Canyon model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (5)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch 2012-12-19 · campaign 12V594000 · 118,800 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (Prndl) 2011-06-28 · campaign 11V337000 · 6,768 vehicles
Defect: 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 TRANSMISS
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AS THE DRIVER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS EXIT THE VEHICLE OR HAVE EXITED, RESULTING IN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE STRIKING THEM OR SOMEONE AROUND THE VEHICLE, OR COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENT CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2011-05-06 · campaign 11V276000 · 4,674 vehicles
Defect: 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 INOP
Risk: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL SECURE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM NUT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MAY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Suspension:rear:axle:spindle 2011-01-06 · campaign 11V007000 · 30,566 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Child Seat 2010-11-18 · campaign 10V575000 · 192,676 vehicles
Defect: 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 DOE
Risk: 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 RESTRAI
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,260)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-20 · PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of general motors technical assistance center. if va
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,260 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-09-28 · Engine“since i purchased this canyon in 2019, i've had many occurrences (at least twice a week) of the truck not starting. through my research on line, i've found other canyon owners experiencing the same problem. long story short, the ignition locks and the truck cannot be started unless i wait 10 minutes. this problem interferes with my daily life. …”
2022-09-09 · Engine“recall #11181 for 2011 canyon sle says gm will replace the automatic transmission adjustment clip for free. recall was established in a gmc assembly plant when a truck would not start. our truck randomly does not start and we’ve had it looked at with no problems found to indicate why it randomly does not start. we wait 15-20 minutes and then it wil…”
2019-03-11 · Unknown Or Other“takata recall airbag light is on . truck will shut down when the truck is going down the road at 60 miles an hour less or more. when you start the truck it shuts off again. or will start right up and wash it right back down. the safety belt light comes on or is the car locked i should say. which is the little picture with the car with the lock o…”
2018-11-02 · Air Bags · 100,000 mi“my air bag sencer is keeping me from getting a sticker and i don't know what to do about it…”
2018-02-28 · Structure:body · 77,089 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 gmc canyon. the contact stated that there was premature deterioration on the lower front passenger side bumper and frame. the deterioration spread to the driver's side bumper to the point that it could fracture. the dealer (fairfield chevrolet, 2501 martin rd, fairfield, ca 94534, (707) 422-7777) was notified and indicat…”
2016-12-17 · Vehicle Speed Control · 28,900 mi“the brake lights and cruise control have suddenly stopped working - see nthsa bulletin 06v139000. as evidence of a systemic problem with gmc canyon vehicles. was not even aware brake lights were out until i came across the nhtsa bulletin. additionally, the electronically activated 4 wheel drive has sporatically started trying to engage when t…”
2016-10-26 · Electrical System · 59,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 gmc canyon. the contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on and off at various times, moreso when the vehicle was started. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 59,000.…”
2015-03-20 · Electrical System · 57,500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 gmc canyon. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. the failure recurred on many occasions. the dealer diagnosed that the ignition switch caused the failure. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 57,500. …”
2014-11-18 · Power Train · 30,000 mi“i am experiencing problems with this vehicle that are terrifying as it is putting my family in jeopardy. my first indication of a problem occurred in august 2013 and continued until may, 2014, the problem seemed to have fixed itself as i did not experience any more serious problems after may 2014 until october 2014. this leads me to believe the p…”
2014-05-22 · Service Brakes“tl* the contact owns a 2011 gmc canyon. the contact stated that the brake lights failed intermittently. additionally when starting the vehicle there were multiple warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the repairs were unknown. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. th…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.