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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2005 GMC CanyonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 113 owner complaints for the 2005 GMC Canyon. Most complaints involve electrical system (23) and structure (13). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
113
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Child seat

Free remedy

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.

Child seatReported Nov 18, 2010NHTSA 10V575000

Exterior lighting: switch

Remedy pending

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.

Exterior lightingReported Jul 29, 2009NHTSA 09V310000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 27, 2006NHTSA 06V139000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

113 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2005 – Jul 2023
  1. Electrical system23
  2. Structure13
  3. Exterior lighting11
  4. Visibility11
  5. Engine and engine cooling11
  6. Service brakes10
  7. Air bags10
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  9. Power train7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Canyon model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200480
2005113
200648
200745
200842
200929
201013
201123
201229
2015321
2016271
201766
201853
201917
202014
202112
202228
202362
2024207
20258
20268
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

23 reports1 fire
“MY 2005 GMC CANYON CONTINUES TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE PASSLOCK II SYSTEM. NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH, KEYS, OR ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE PASSLOCK PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING MY TRUCK BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON THE COMPUTER THINKS IT IS TRYING TO BE STOLEN. THE LAST TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURED, MY TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. WHEN ATTEMPTED TO START, THE TRUCK CRANKED BUT DID NOT START AND THE PASSLOCK LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO SIT AND WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE PROBLEM WAS I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE MYSELF TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE I HAD JUST BEEN BITTEN BY A DOG.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2018Electrical systemODI 11062037

Structure

13 reports
“Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a lot of rusting and holes due to the excessive rusting.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2023Suspension, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11531923

Exterior lighting

11 reports
“ON 6/17/20 AS I WAS TRAVELING UNDER THE ALABASTER, ALABAMA OVER PASS ON HIGHWAY 65 NORTH AN ORANGE CONSTRUCTION BARREL WAS BLOWN INTO THE ROAD BY A TRUCK A HEAD OF ME. I SWERVED IN THE ATTEMPT TO MISS IT. THE BARREL CLIPPED THE PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER AND TORE OUT MY FOG LAMP. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WOULD LIKE MY FOG LAMP REPLACED AND BARRELS NOT IN USE PICKED UP OFF OF THE HIGHWAYS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2020Exterior lighting, StructureODI 11329295
All 2005 Canyon problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.8L 4-cyl · 3.5L 5-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Canyon 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182421$3,050423
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182421$3,050423
Canyon 2WD
Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Canyon 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
Canyon 4WD
Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
Canyon 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550494
Canyon 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Canyon 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550494
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Canyon 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
  • Canyon 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 GMC Canyon as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1584Vehicle 1583
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Canyon questions

How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Canyon have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 GMC Canyon problems?

Owners filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (23), structure (13), exterior lighting (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 GMC Canyon get?

The EPA rates the 2005 GMC Canyon at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026