2005 GMC Canyon: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 113 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (17% of complaints); the 2006 and 2007 model years look more trouble-free.
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 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a lot of rusting and holes due to the excessive rusting.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2023
“The frames on many of these trucks are unsafe to be on the road due to rusted leaf spring mounts and frame rails that are rotting away and unable to lift on a hoist. Luckily I came across a video warning me to watch out for a rusted frame or else I could have lost control while driving. Yes, I work at a gm dealership and see this issue often, they are very similar to the Toyota trucks that had rusted frames replaced under recall. No it has not been inspected but they're is no way that it would pass an annual inspection, therefore the truck is rendered useless. There were no warnings that the frame was almost rotted in half. Very dangerous situation.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2022
“Nearly total frame failure due to poor steel and extreme rust and corrosion of entire frame. With this model year of gmc and chevrolet trucks, there are a lot of reports of frame failures. My particular truck is so badly rusted that the cab and body could possibly separate due to frame failure. This vehicle has not been driven much during the winters and has been garaged most of its life. These frames shouldn't be this bad on a 15 year old vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“On 6/17/20 as I was traveling under the alabaster, alabama over pass on highway 65 north an orange construction barrel was blown into the road by a truck a head of me. I swerved in the attempt to miss it. The barrel clipped the passenger side bumper and tore out my fog lamp. Thankfully no accident occurred. Would like my fog lamp replaced and barrels not in use picked up off of the highways. Thank you in advance. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc canyon. The contact stated that while changing the oil at the residence, the contact became aware that the subframe was severely rusted. The contact stated that the rear leaf springs were also severely rusted. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic. While attempting to raise the vehicle on the lift, the frame started to collapse. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage 13,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2020
“Installed new brake lights did you brake switch under the brake pedal still showing signs of no brake lights on my vehicle I'll brake balls have been replace. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc canyon. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil change and was informed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2019
“The whole leaf spring shackle went thru the frame of the truck. After looking at how to replace this noticed pretty much the whole thing is rusted out and will need to be replaced to make it safe to be on the road again. This should be a recall on the truck for safety reasons”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2019
“Owned the vehicle from new, frame started rusting at every weldment from day one. Tried to treat the frame yearly with door grease to stop corrosion. No success, now frame is rotted and in danger of collapse.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2019
“Frame cracked in front of rear spring shackles on both sides. Heard noise bed rubbing against cab. Vehicle was in motion at the time of the noise. Found broken frame when I got home.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 2005 GMC Canyon reliable?
NHTSA has 113 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 GMC Canyon. The most complained-about area is electrical system (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Canyon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 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.