2009 GMC Canyon: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system; the 2011 model year looks 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 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2009 GMC Canyon. The contact stated during an oil change, he was informed by the mechanic that the sub frame was fractured between the driver's side door and the passenger's side door. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer however, the independent mechanic advised the contact that the entire sub frame needed to be replaced because the fracture could not be welded. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2023
“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 report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc canyon. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had stalled four times without warning. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 92,301.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc canyon. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start until after numerous attempts. The dealer diagnosed that the security passlock failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but they were not able to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000. Updated 08/30/16*lj *cn”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2016
“We were at family gathering when a neighbor called and said the black truck is on fire. I rushed out the door to investigate and there was a fire inside the cab on drivers side in rear section. I started spraying it with a water hose and called 911. The fire department came extinguished the fire and filled fuel tank with water just in case they said it looked like something electrical started the fire in that section of the truck. Fire marshall going complete investigation and insurance was called. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc canyon. The contact stated that while stopped at an intersection, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side wheel. The contact's vehicle was spun approximately 270 degrees however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered from minor bruising. A police report was not filed of the incident. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 10,541. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2014
“My airbag light came on unexpectedly and remained on. The cause was due to broken airbag (orange wiring in the extended cab drivers side rear door. Upon inspection, several wires (air bag (orange), a speaker wire (brown) were completely broken. This appears to be an extremely common problem with chevy colorados/gmc canyons with extended cabs and should be looked into further. The airbag shouldn't be compromised because of a poor wiring design in the rear door. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2014
“When stepping on brake pedal you step on gas pedal at same time, no proper space between the two pedals. Instead of slowing down vehicle keeps going. Seems unsafe. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2014
“It times it wont start have to wait 15-20 min to start while parked I also had a 2004 colorado that did the same thing .now for the safety end .if your in the country an you or someone is haveing a medical issue an it wont start their is a possible life or death situation that person has a greater chance of dieing .I have talked to dealers about this problem all they said we can try different things but at my expence. I was told it has something to do with the security lock system . Gm said they dont know how to fix it .iam sure other people has had the same problem I would like some info back yhank you”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2013
“I sent in this complaint a year ago and never heard back from you. Throttle sticks on my canyon and it appears to be computer related. It continues to accelerate even after taking my foot "off the gas." it will rev down after hitting the brake pedal. Have you heard of this before? Truck is standard shift and usually happens when "going through the gears". *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 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 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR 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.
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 2009 GMC Canyon reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 GMC Canyon. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2009 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.