Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 4 NHTSA variants

2010 GMC CanyonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2010 GMC Canyon. Most complaints involve structure (2) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16–21mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Dec 2012
Owner complaints
13
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Dec 19, 2012NHTSA 12V594000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2010 – Jul 2020
  1. Structure2
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Vehicle speed control2
  4. Air bags1
  5. Visibility/wiper1
  6. Fuel system, gasoline1
  7. Power train1
  8. Suspension1
  9. Other / unknown4

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
2024208
20258
20268
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
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

Structure

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2017StructureODI 10981661

Electrical system

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V154000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT SAME THING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,104. ..UPDATED 12/11/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER FOUND CORROSION ON THE WIRE HARNESS. UPDATED 12/12/12”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2012Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemODI 10479796

Vehicle speed control

2 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A THREE INCH PIPE RAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED FOR THE DEFECT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,982 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,182.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2011Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10427193
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 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
182521$3,050423
Canyon 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
Canyon 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172320$3,200444
Canyon 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Canyon 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 Drive
172319$3,400468
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Canyon 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$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 Drive
141916$4,000555
  • Canyon 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    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
    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 4WD
    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 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 · 20 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.
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

5 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 GMC Canyon as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 5884Vehicle 5719Vehicle 5883
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

2010 Canyon questions

How many recalls does the 2010 GMC Canyon have?

2 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 2010 GMC Canyon problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (2), electrical system (2), vehicle speed control (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 GMC Canyon get?

The EPA rates the 2010 GMC Canyon at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026