2012 Gmc Canyon problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (5) · Steering (2) · Service Brakes (2)
🧭 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 (2)
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.
Seat Belts:front 2011-11-17 · campaign 11V552000 · 5,593 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,321)
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 1,321 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-09-20 · Seat Belts“seatbelt light for the front driver continues to turn on even when buckled in and will ding to notify that it’s not buckled despite it buckled in. this is a safety issue as the airbag light also remains on because of it. …”
2024-05-07 · Structure:frame And Members · 139,908 mi“the contact owns a 2012 gmc canyon. the contact noticed that there was wiring appearing from the rear end of the vehicle. the contact stated that the rear sub frame was rusted and cracked. additionally, the parking brake cable was hanging from the vehicle. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. the d…”
2024-03-03 · Unknown Or Other“on all chevy / canyon models 05 thru 12 there is an issue called "passlock" which prevents the vehicle from starting, it will leave you stranded. the failure is the ignition housing with the passlock sensor, not the actual key / tumbler, the part has to be replaced. the problem / failure is so common that you can "google" 2005 thru 2012 chevy color…”
2023-01-23 · Electrical System“within past year, 2022 to present vehicle will on average 4-5 times a month fail to start. key in ignition, to accessory mode than fail to turn over. all indicator lamps on dash display. door chime sounds. nothing to indicate a problem. had gmc dealership troubleshoot. they found no codes and vehicle would start fine for them (of course). new ba…”
2022-08-05 · Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:control Module“the passcode anti-theft system randomly triggers when attempting to start the vehicle. when it triggers, the vehicle cannot be started for at least 10 minutes. i have had this system trigger multiple times at home, at the grocery store, and at a gas station. i am afraid that the device will eventually leave me stranded, so i am having the device re…”
2022-02-20 · Service Brakes“brakes: i purchased vehicle september 25, 2012. this problem has occurred since i purchased the vehicle. it does not happen all the time. the problem is the brakes lockup and the steering wheel shudders and the vehicle pulls to the right. the vehicle makes a griding noise. it will not stop immediately when you put on the brakes. the brake pe…”
2020-06-22 · Steering · 121,966 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc canyon. the contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel, there was a ticking sound heard. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to barton chevrolet cadillac (800 auto park pl, newburgh, ny 12550), to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the clicking sound noise was …”
2020-06-22 · Steering“clicking noise in the steering wheel when turning left or right. *tr…”
2019-11-26 · Electrical System · 110,000 mi“the weight on the keyring and road conditions or a jarring event causes the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. the vehicle will not stay in the run position and there are no other mechanical/electrical problems with the vehicle. this began about a year ago and has progressively got worse. this is similar to …”
2019-02-07 · Visibility/Wiper · 136,000 mi“while driving on i 71 at 70 mph in a pouring rain my wipers stopped working almost causing me to wreck…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.