The 2009 GMC Canyon has 3 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (8 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints27filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 1reported 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.
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 09V154000 · May 6, 2009 · 27,188 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE HARD TO START, MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
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
2009 GMC Canyon Extended Cab
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
17.9%
2009 GMC Canyon Regular Cab
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
17.9%
2009 GMC Canyon 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
17.9%
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
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Canyon 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Canyon 4WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Canyon 4WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Canyon 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Canyon 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 2WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/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*
Electrical system
8
0
1
0
55,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift; Automatic transmission
5
0
0
0
15,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
3
0
0
0
31,791 mi
Service brakes
3
0
0
0
—
Air bags
3
1
0
1
—
Engine
3
0
0
0
60,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
3
0
0
0
135,000 mi
Exterior lighting
2
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
2
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1
0
0
0
—
Structure
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 6, 2023 · 157,000 milesStructure The contact owns a 2009 GMC Canyon. The contact stated during an oil change, he was informed by the mechanic that the sub frame was fractured between the driverâs side door and the passengerâs side door. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer however, the independent mechanic advised the contact that the entire sub frame needed to be replaced because the fracture could not be welded. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
Dec 29, 2021Exterior lighting My husband recently asked if I had encountered any problems using the cruise control in this vehicle. Since I seldom drive any distance with that vehicle, I never noticed anything. But he had traveled onto the interstate, and when attempting to set the cruise, noticed it didn't work. Yesterday, I had to follow him somewhere, and I noticed the brake lights weren't coming on. We tested all the other things (tail lights, back up lights, turn signals), and everything was working properly. Today I was looking to see how to replace the brake light switch, and also noticed there were instructions on how to replace the cruise control switch and fuses,too (as they all seem to be related.) Then I…
Dec 10, 2021Electrical system What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Car will periodically and unpredictably not crank, fire or start. After attempting approximately 10 minutes later it will. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? One never knows circumstances in which they need reliable transportation. In my case I have elderly parents that can need me at any given time. In most cases it is an annoyance but due to the unpredictable factor anything could happen. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance…
May 5, 2013 · 45,000 milesElectrical system IT TIMES IT WONT START HAVE TO WAIT 15-20 MIN TO START WHILE PARKED I ALSO HAD A 2004 COLORADO THAT DID THE SAME THING .NOW FOR THE SAFETY END .IF YOUR IN THE COUNTRY AN YOU OR SOMEONE IS HAVEING A MEDICAL ISSUE AN IT WONT START THEIR IS A POSSIBLE LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION THAT PERSON HAS A GREATER CHANCE OF DIEING .I HAVE TALKED TO DEALERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALL THEY SAID WE CAN TRY DIFFERENT THINGS BUT AT MY EXPENCE. I WAS TOLD IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SECURITY LOCK SYSTEM . GM SAID THEY DONT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT .IAM SURE OTHER PEOPLE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I WOULD LIKE SOME INFO BACK YHANK YOU
Oct 21, 2020 · 54,856 milesFuel/propulsion system I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 65 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY WHEN I LOST ALL POWER TO MY TRUCK AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO MANUEVER OFF THE ROAD. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO MY MECHANIC & WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE. RECALL NO. 08411 2009 GMC CANYONS WERE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH AN ADHESIVE SEPARATION OF THE RTV SEAL BETWEEN THE SEAL AND THE HOUSING MAY ALLOW WATER TO SEEP INTO THE MODULE. WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT (WHICH WAS ON IN MY TRUCK). ALSO THE ENGINE MAY BE HARD TO START, MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL.…
Jun 6, 2018Air bags MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND A BROKEN WIRE IN THE REAR DRIVERSIDE DOOR THEY SPLICED THE WIRE AND THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND NOW IT IS COMING BACK ON AGAIN BUT IT SEEMS TO ONLY COME ON WHEN IT IS DAMP OR RAINING. I OPEN THE DOOR AND MOVE THE WIRE HARNESS AROUND IT WILL GO BACK OFF.
Jun 27, 2018 · 135,000 milesFuel/propulsion system INTERMITTENT AND REPEATED PARTIAL FAILURE OF FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE PART NUMBER 20850907 DURING DRIVING, INCLUDING ROUGH ENGINE OPERATION, LOSS OF MOST OF ENGINE POWER ON MODERATE HIGHWAY GRADE, SLOWING TO 15 MPH UNDER SPEED LIMIT, AND FAILURE TO RESTART APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AFTER SHUTDOWN. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LIT AND DIAGNOSTIC CODE FOR LOW FUEL RAIL PRESSURE WAS RECORDED, BUT FSCM MALFUNCTION DIAGNOSTIC CODE WAS NOT RECORDED UNTIL AFTER AT LEAST TWO INCIDENTS HAD TAKEN PLACE. VEHICLE (VIN) ENTRY INTO DATABASE RETURNED "0 RECALLS", SO NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V154000 REMAINED UNKNOWN AND ORDINARY REPLACEMENT OF FSCM WAS ATTEMPTED. WHEN FSCM 20850907 REPLACEMENT WAS ORDERED, GM FSCM…
Dec 8, 2016 · 88,000 milesElectronic stability control (esc) MY PICKUP HAS WHAT GM REFERS TO AS "PHANTOM SHIFT". WHILE TRAVELING ON I5 @ 70 MILES PER HR, MY PICKUP THRU NO ACTION ON MY PART, SHIFTED INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. PREVIOUSLY THIS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOWER SPEEDS. GM ISSUED A "BULLETIN" IN FEB. 2011 GIVING DEALERS INSTRUTIONS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH, AND REPAIRS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. A LOCAL DEALER, USING THAT BULLETIN, IN DECEMBER 2016 PROCEEDED TO "FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE." CHARGING ME $849.35. IN JULY 2017 THE SAME PROBLEM RE-APPEARED. THE LOCAL DEALER (AIRPORT CHEVROLET IN MEDFORD, OREGON) IS NOW REFUSING TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY FOR THEIR "FIX IN DECEMBER CLAIMING THAT BECAUST THE COMPUTER IN MY VEHICLE IS NOT…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.