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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2008 GMC CanyonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2008 GMC Canyon. Most complaints involve electrical system (16) and engine (14). The EPA rates it 15–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–20mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
42
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

42 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2009 – Jun 2026
  1. Electrical system16
  2. Engine14
  3. Service brakes8
  4. Vehicle speed control5
  5. Air bags5
  6. Exterior lighting4
  7. Structure4
  8. Power train3
  9. Fuel/propulsion system2

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
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
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

16 reports1 fire
“BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AT THE BRAKE PEDAL STICKING AND OUR BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON. WE NOTICE IT MOSTLY AFTER WE HAVE PARKED THE TRUCK AND TURN IT OFF. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ILLUMINATED, NOT ALWAYS RIGHT AWAY. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ILLUMINATED HAVE CAUSED OUR VEHICLE TO HAVE A DEAD BATTERY MANY TIMES. THIS ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO STAY ON HAS ACTUALLY CAUSED US TO HAVE TO BUY 2 BRAND NEW BATTERIES IN JUST OVER A 12 MONTH PERIOD. THIS ISSUE HAS KILLED OUR BATTERY AND LEFT US STRANDED FOR HOURS WHILE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME HELP US JUMP THE BATTERY. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR THIS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ISSUE, BUT THIS SPECIFIC YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. EVEN THO THIS TRUCK IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THE THE RECALL IS FOR. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2021Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11387619

Engine

14 reports
“When sitting at idle, the engine miss & spark knock at times. When start driving down the road the throttle seems hard to Press & takes a little time to reach up to road speed. The truck does not get good gas mileage at all. I had the spark plugs & wires changed still don't help.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2026Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11744895

Service brakes

8 reports
“"ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING. DURING THE FIRST 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THIS LIGHT APPEARS AND STAYS ON. THEN 15 MINUTES LATER AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH NO STOPPING OR TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THE LIGHT GOES OFF.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2017Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11044977
All 2008 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
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.9L 4-cyl · 3.7L 5-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-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
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Canyon 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Canyon 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
Canyon 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Canyon 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Canyon 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,300592
  • Canyon 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    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

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 GMC Canyon as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 2587Vehicle 2586Vehicle 2585
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

2008 Canyon questions

How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Canyon have?

2 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 2008 GMC Canyon problems?

Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (16), engine (14), service brakes (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 GMC Canyon get?

The EPA rates the 2008 GMC Canyon at 15–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026