NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Canyon. Most complaints involve air bags (8) and engine (3). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.
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.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.9 OR 3.7 LITER ENGINE AND A FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT," AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENT CLIP THAT MAY NOT RETAIN THE SHIFT CABLE IN THE CORRECT POSITION. IF THE SHIFT CABLE IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION, THE PRNDL SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR. THE DRIVER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK."
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. WHEN THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED WITH A BUILD-UP OF SNOW OR ICE, OR IF THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED ON A DRY WINDSHIELD, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN. IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT LOOSENING OF THE NUT, THE WIPERS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Canyon model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 80 |
| 2005 | 113 |
| 2006 | 48 |
| 2007 | 45 |
| 2008 | 42 |
| 2009 | 29 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 29 |
| 2015 | 321 |
| 2016 | 271 |
| 2017 | 66 |
| 2018 | 53 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2024 | 207 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 8 |
“TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON . TRUCK WILL SHUT DOWN WHEN THE TRUCK IS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES AN HOUR LESS OR MORE. WHEN YOU START THE TRUCK IT SHUTS OFF AGAIN. OR WILL START RIGHT UP AND WASH IT RIGHT BACK DOWN. THE SAFETY BELT LIGHT COMES ON OR IS THE CAR LOCKED I SHOULD SAY. WHICH IS THE LITTLE PICTURE WITH THE CAR WITH THE LOCK ON IT. I HAVE VIDEOTAPED WHAT COMES ACROSS THE DASH AND HASN'T SHOWN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. SHUTS OFF AGAIN. OR WILL START RIGHT UP IN THE SHUT RIGHT BACK DOWN. SAFETY BELT LIKE COMES ON OR IS THE CAR LOCK I SHOULD SAY. WHICH IS THE LITTLE PICTURE WITH THE CAR WITH THE LOCK ON IT. I HAVE VIDEOTAPED WHAT COMES ACROSS THE DASH AND HIS SHOWING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. ALL OF THIS IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH MY TRUCK AND HAS BEEN SINCE LATE FALL OF LAST YEAR. I TAKE IT TO MY DEALERSHIP TWICE WITH NO RESULTS . *TR”
“Since I purchased this Canyon in 2019, I've had many occurrences (at least twice a week) of the truck not starting. Through my research on line, I've found other Canyon owners experiencing the same problem. Long story short, the ignition locks and the truck cannot be started unless I wait 10 minutes. This problem interferes with my daily life. I believe GMC should correct this problem.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF AT VARIOUS TIMES, MORESO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Canyon 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Canyon 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Canyon 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Canyon 2WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Canyon 4WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 2WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 2WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Canyon 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Canyon 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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.
Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (8), engine (3), electrical system (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2011 GMC Canyon at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).