2004 GMC Canyon: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 80 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The frame has rust through and broke on rear front leafspring mount of frame on both side . A very know problem with almost every one of these trucks”Owner report · Structure · May 2022
“The contact owns a 2004 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after work was completed on the tires, the independent mechanic informed him that due to severe undercarriage corrosion, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact also took the vehicle to a dealer who provided the same information as the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and informed him that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. No additional assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2021
“The chassis has become severely rusted on left side where front of leaf spring is bolted to it. It is about to break off and it has been denoted as "unsafe to drive" by the local gmc dealership. Truck has been well-maintained and is in good condition otherwise. It has been garage-kept for the last 10 years. I bought it new 9/2004. The dealership just discovered problem today when I was having other routine work done.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc canyon. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard an abnormal rattling noise coming from the rear frame. The contact drove home and then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined that the frame was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 119,730. The VIN was unknown.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2019
“We had some repair work done and were told that the frame was rusted out so badly it was ready to break in half, leaving us with a car that is undriveable. This appears to be a common issue with other models of gmc trucks and the issue is not being addressed. Major safety issue!”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2019
“After reading a post from the 116 affected gmc canyon owners I have the exact same problem. Last month june 2019 while driving home from work my ac just quit working (hot weather in sacramento), no matter what speed it was on 1 through 4. I also smelt a burning smell. Today while driving my truck to the realer to get it analyzed I hit a bump and the blower started working again on speed 4. Bob from john l sullivan chevy just called to confirm the diagnosis...the connector that connects to the blower was melted and the resister was burnt.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2019
“Rear frame has rusted completely out. Now sitting and cannot drive. I love driving this truck but now it is just sitting. Hope gm will sell me a frame at cost so I can fix it.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc canyon. While the vehicle was being serviced at an independent mechanic, the technician noticed that the entire frame was corroded. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000. *tt *jb”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2018
“Truck frame has totally rusted out with only 80,000 miles on the truck. Body shows nothing, but the frame is disintegrating. I recently purchased this based on pictures which showed an extremely clean body and interior (true). Got it delivered to my mechanic who called me to show me the holes in the frame!”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2017
“The frame has totally rusted and is breaking apart while the rest of the truck is in very good condition. See photos. This was noticed on 09-18-17. I bought this truck new in 2004 and as you can tell by the mileage it has been driven very little. Please contact me with any questions.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT A HOLE INTO THE BACK PANEL TRIM COVER TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT POSITION AND WILL PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AS TO USE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR VISIT GM'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN WHEN THE NEW DESIGN PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
How other years compare
Check your exact Canyon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 GMC Canyon reliable?
NHTSA has 80 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 GMC Canyon. The most complained-about area is structure (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 GMC Canyon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 GMC Canyon have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning child seat. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.