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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2009 GMC CanyonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 2009 GMC Canyon. Most complaints involve electrical system (8) and power train (5). The EPA rates it 16–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–20mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
29
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
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

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 6, 2009NHTSA 09V154000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

29 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2009 – Jun 2023
  1. Electrical system8
  2. Power train5
  3. Air bags4
  4. Service brakes3
  5. Engine3
  6. Fuel/propulsion system3
  7. Fuel system, gasoline3
  8. Exterior lighting2
  9. Vehicle speed control2

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
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

8 reports1 fire
“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 representatives or others? Yes but no codes were trapped in ECM Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2021Electrical systemODI 11443374

Power train

5 reports
“I DRIVE A 2009 GMC CANYON. WHEN DRIVING I'VE NOTICE THAT WHEN HITTING A HARD BUMP, SOMETIMES TURNING OR ACCELERATING QUICKLY WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY OR STREET, THE TRUCK SHUTS OFF CAUSING THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES USELESS AND VERY HARD TO APPLY. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES IN THE COURSE OF ONE TRIP AND HAPPENS AT A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE ICON FOR THE THEFT DETERRENT APPEARS. THEN I HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO RESTART THE TRUCK. THE DATE BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT DAY IT HAS HAPPENED. THIS HAS BECOME A VERY SERIOUS CAUSE OF CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE IGNITION RECALL OR ANY OTHER RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN I HIT A HARD BUMP IN THE ROAD, AGAIN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I'VE DECIDED TO ASK THE DEALER IF THEY KNOW OF ANY RELATED PROBLEMS AND SEE WHAT RESPONSE I GET, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE. IF YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE, CAN YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME SO THAT I MAY RESOLVE THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2016Power train, Electrical systemODI 10907366

Air bags

4 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2018Air bagsODI 11114369
All 2009 Canyon problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 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 · 5.3L 8-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 28, 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 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172320$3,200444
Canyon 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172320$3,200444
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Canyon 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Canyon 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Canyon 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Canyon 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
  • 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 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    17 city · 23 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 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 2009 GMC Canyon as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 5055Vehicle 5054Vehicle 5053
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

2009 Canyon questions

How many recalls does the 2009 GMC Canyon have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2009 GMC Canyon problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (8), power train (5), air bags (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 GMC Canyon get?

The EPA rates the 2009 GMC Canyon at 16–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026