Model year record

2012 GMC Canyon recalls & problems

The 2012 GMC Canyon has 2 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (9 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints23filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Latches/locks/linkagesDec 19, 2012

Hood › Latch

Recall 12V594000118,800 vehicles

Problem: 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 beltsNov 17, 2011

Front

Recall 11V5520005,593 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

2012 GMC Canyon PU/CC AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

2012 GMC Canyon PU/EC AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

2012 GMC Canyon PU/RC AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

2012 GMC Canyon PU/CC RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	18.5%

2012 GMC Canyon PU/EC RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	18.5%

2012 GMC Canyon PU/RC RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	18.5%

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

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Canyon 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Canyon Crew Cab 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Canyon Crew Cab 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/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 Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Canyon 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-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

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/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 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 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 systemIgnition › Anti-theft › Control module	9	0	0	0	45,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes	2	0	0	0	—
Air bags	2	1	1	1	—
SuspensionFront › Hub	2	0	0	0	—
Steering	2	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkages	1	0	0	0	—
Power train	1	0	0	0	—
Exterior lighting	1	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Master cylinder	1	0	0	0	—
Engine	1	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	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

Air bags
Seatbelt light for the front driver continues to turn on even when buckled in and will ding to notify that itâs not buckled despite it buckled in. This is a safety issue as the airbag light also remains on because of it.
Sep 1, 2022
Structure › Frame and members
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 dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,908. The VIN was not available.
May 7, 2024 · 139,908 miles
Electrical system
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 colorado gmc canyon passlock issue" and find the root and a how to fix / repair guides. I spent almost $600 at the GMC dealer, they found no error or trouble codes in either on board computer, I showed the service advisor the issue, online diagnosis and suggested the repair. This is so dam common it should be a defective part recall and all repairs and…
Jan 10, 2024
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 battery had been installed, starter was tested, fuel injectors cleaned. MY online research has found a similar problem with multiple year GMC vehicles beginning in 2009 thru 2014. Ignition lock cylinder issue due to pass lock sensor. Passlock sensor malfunctions thus requiring a 10 minute wait prior to restarting vehicle. A vehicle requiring 10 minute…
Jan 18, 2023
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 replace for the cost of over $700.
Aug 4, 2022
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 pedal jumps up and down and makes a grinding noise. The vehicle pulls to the right and jumps up and down. In answer to the next question: This problem has happened since I purchased the vehicle.
Oct 1, 2012
Steering
CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR
May 6, 2020
Steering
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 COMING FROM A MULTIPLICATION SWITCH FROM THE STEERING AND THAT THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS ORDERED FROM THE DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR…
Jun 3, 2020 · 121,966 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.