The 2004 GMC Canyon has 3 safety recalls and 80 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (16 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints80filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 4reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Child seat
NHTSA recall 10V575000 · Nov 18, 2010 · 192,676 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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 RESTRAINT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESTRAINT'S PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEATED IN THE RESTRAINT.
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
NHTSA recall 09V310000 · Jul 29, 2009 · 185,903 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN WHEN THE NEW DESIGN PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
NHTSA recall 06V139000 · Apr 27, 2006 · 404,733 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP (CHMSL) IS AFFECTED IN BOTH INSTANCES. ALSO, IF EQUIPPED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. ANY TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMP WIRING WILL MIMIC THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMPS WHEN EITHER CONDITION OCCURS.
Risk: A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2004 GMC Canyon Crew Cab
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Canyon 2WD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Canyon 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Canyon 4WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Canyon 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Structure Body; Frame and members › Underbody shields
16
0
1
0
94,000 mi
Electrical system Wiring; Ignition
14
0
2
0
96,000 mi
Suspension Front
13
0
0
0
89,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Cooling system; Engine › Gasoline
Power train Transfer case (4-wheel drive); Axle assembly
4
0
0
0
46,500 mi
Wheels Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
4
0
0
0
42,500 mi
Tires Tread/belt
4
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 26, 2022Structure › Body The frame has rust through and broke on rear front leafspring mount of frame on both side . A very know problem with almost every one of these trucks
Feb 24, 2023Suspension Frame front passenger cracked while driving. Was able to avoid near accident with another vehicle.
Dec 15, 2021 · 89,000 milesSuspension The contact owns a 2004 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after work was completed on the tires, the independent mechanic informed him that due to severe undercarriage corrosion, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact also took the vehicle to a dealer who provided the same information as the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and informed him that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. No additional assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Mar 13, 2020 · 106,500 milesSuspension THE CHASSIS HAS BECOME SEVERELY RUSTED ON LEFT SIDE WHERE FRONT OF LEAF SPRING IS BOLTED TO IT. IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF AND IT HAS BEEN DENOTED AS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE" BY THE LOCAL GMC DEALERSHIP. TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION OTHERWISE. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE-KEPT FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. I BOUGHT IT NEW 9/2004. THE DEALERSHIP JUST DISCOVERED PROBLEM TODAY WHEN I WAS HAVING OTHER ROUTINE WORK DONE.
Aug 1, 2019 · 98,000 milesStructure › Body WE HAD SOME REPAIR WORK DONE AND WERE TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT SO BADLY IT WAS READY TO BREAK IN HALF, LEAVING US WITH A CAR THAT IS UNDRIVEABLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH OTHER MODELS OF GMC TRUCKS AND THE ISSUE IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!
Oct 16, 2019 · 119,730 milesStructure › Body TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR FRAME. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,730. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Jun 15, 2019 · 183,000 milesElectrical system AFTER READING A POST FROM THE 116 AFFECTED GMC CANYON OWNERS I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. LAST MONTH JUNE 2019 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY AC JUST QUIT WORKING (HOT WEATHER IN SACRAMENTO), NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IT WAS ON 1 THROUGH 4. I ALSO SMELT A BURNING SMELL. TODAY WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK TO THE REALER TO GET IT ANALYZED I HIT A BUMP AND THE BLOWER STARTED WORKING AGAIN ON SPEED 4. BOB FROM JOHN L SULLIVAN CHEVY JUST CALLED TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS...THE CONNECTOR THAT CONNECTS TO THE BLOWER WAS MELTED AND THE RESISTER WAS BURNT.
Oct 15, 2018 · 280,000 milesUnknown or other REAR FRAME HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT. NOW SITTING AND CANNOT DRIVE. I LOVE DRIVING THIS TRUCK BUT NOW IT IS JUST SITTING. HOPE GM WILL SELL ME A FRAME AT COST SO I CAN FIX IT.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
RQ09001 · opened Feb 25, 2009 · closed Jul 30, 2009 · led to recall 09V310000BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO…
PE04076 · opened Nov 10, 2004 · closed Mar 14, 2005INADVERTENT FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ALL REPORTS INDICATE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT DURING IGNITION START-UP (KEY-ON) AND WITH THE VEHICLE NOT IN MOTION.REPORTED INJURIES WERE MINOR AND CONSIST OF SKIN ABRASION AND BRUISES.THE INCIDENT DATES RANGED FROM JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004.ODI HAS RECEIVED NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.