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2005 GMC Canyon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Canyon years

Owner complaints for the 2005 GMC Canyon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 38.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

87 reports with mileage · 26 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

23 reports
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40,000 miles · Jan 9, 2009
Electrical SystemFire

2005 GMC CANYON - FIRE AND CROSS CIRCUITS AFTER HAVING BURN WIRE CASE SMELLS,SMOKE, INDICATION OF AIRBAG FAILURE, FAN MOTOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINED ON AFTER VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A MAIN WIRE BUNDLE THAT IS SUBJECT TO ABRASION BY COMPONENTS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM AT A LOCATION WHERE THE BUNDLE GOES THR…

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2005 GMC CANYON - FIRE AND CROSS CIRCUITS AFTER HAVING BURN WIRE CASE SMELLS,SMOKE, INDICATION OF AIRBAG FAILURE, FAN MOTOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINED ON AFTER VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A MAIN WIRE BUNDLE THAT IS SUBJECT TO ABRASION BY COMPONENTS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM AT A LOCATION WHERE THE BUNDLE GOES THROUGH A HOLE IN THE FIRE WALL. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY NOTICE CHANGES IN THE FAN SPEED AND OTHER DASH INDICATION ON LEFT TURNS, BUMPS, ETC. BEFORE FIRE AND SMOKE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE SHORT AND CROSS SYSTEM POWER FEED WILL NOT CAUSE SYSTEM SAFETY FUSES TO BLOW. OPERATOR MAY ALSO NOTICE THAT THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM WILL FAIL TO WORK OR THE RANGE WILL DECREASE GREATLY AND THE FAN AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WITH REMAIN ON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN AND THE DOOR IS CLOSED. NOTE: THIS WIRE BUNDLE IS NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED FROM DAMAGE BY THE BRAKE SYSTEM PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254399

32,460 miles · Aug 20, 2008
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility

AIR CONDITIONING FAN ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING ON ALL FAN SPEEDS EXCEPT "4", THE HIGHEST POSITION. CHECKED INTERNET FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES EXACTLY LIKE MINE. ALL INVOLVED THE "BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR ASSEMBLY, CONNECTOR AND/OR WIRING HARNESS" SHORTING OUT. SCORTCHING THE CONNECTOR…

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AIR CONDITIONING FAN ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING ON ALL FAN SPEEDS EXCEPT "4", THE HIGHEST POSITION. CHECKED INTERNET FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES EXACTLY LIKE MINE. ALL INVOLVED THE "BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR ASSEMBLY, CONNECTOR AND/OR WIRING HARNESS" SHORTING OUT. SCORTCHING THE CONNECTORS, RESISTOR ASSEMBLY AND CAUSING THE PLASTIC TO MELT/BURN. GM PARTS AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAD REPLACEMENT PARTS AND I WAS ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. SPEAKING A GM SERVICE ADVISOR, HE CONFIRMED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPAIR PROBLEMS WITH THESE PARTS ON THE GMC CANYON/ CHEVROLET COLORADO 2004-2007. BUT NO EXPLANATION FOR WHY THEY ARE FAILING. NUMEROUS INTERNET REPORTS WITH PHOTO'S SHOWING DAMAGE AND EXPLAINING PROBLEM MOST REQUIRING MULTIPLE OR REPEATED REPAIRS. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239091

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

BRAND NEW TRUCK, HAVE OWNED ALMOST 1 YEAR. HAD TO TAKE TRUCK IN FOR SLOW ACCELERATION PROBLEM AS WELL AS HARD TO CRANK. COULD NOT PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC, HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I WOULD TRY TO ACCELERATE THEN IT WOULD STOP/PAUSE FOR A SECOND THEN START TO GO AGAIN. TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP …

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BRAND NEW TRUCK, HAVE OWNED ALMOST 1 YEAR. HAD TO TAKE TRUCK IN FOR SLOW ACCELERATION PROBLEM AS WELL AS HARD TO CRANK. COULD NOT PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC, HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I WOULD TRY TO ACCELERATE THEN IT WOULD STOP/PAUSE FOR A SECOND THEN START TO GO AGAIN. TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH THEY FOUND ONE OF THE HEADS IN THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. (WHICH AT FIRST THEY TOLD ME I HAD A SLOW MISFIRE ON PISTON #2 AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE A SPRING AND A COIL) A MONTH LATER I FINALLY GOT MY TRUCK BACK. ONE WEEK LATER I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE SO I TOOK MY TRUCK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY OIL WAS LOW SO THEY TOPPED IT OFF (DIDN'T WORK BY THE WAY). STILL HAVING HARD TIME CRANKING PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY KEPT MY TRUCK FOR 4 DAYS AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT EXCEPT A LOOSE STARTER BOLT THAT THEY TIGHTENED. TRUCK STILL CRANKING FUNNY BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THEY COULD DO FOR ME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158554

Official recalls

3

10V575000 · Child Seat

Nov 18, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BOTH NHTSA AND GM DISCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A FRONT SEAT. NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY REQUIRE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A RESTRAINT IN THE FRONT CENTER SEATING POSITION OF THIS VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT OFFER A REAR SEAT. LACK OF ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR AND A LACK OF INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW TO USE IT, MAY RESULT IN IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESTRAINT'S PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEATED IN THE RESTRAINT.

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.

09V310000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Jul 29, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06V139000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 27, 2006

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

RQ09001 · Brake Lamp Switch Malfunction

Opened Feb 25, 2009 · Closed Jul 30, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.ODI INITIALLY REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT, BUT LATER DOWNGRADED THE REPORT DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR COST INCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY TAPPED FROM BEHIND AT LOW SPEED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V0310).

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.ODI INITIALLY REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT, BUT LATER DOWNGRADED THE REPORT DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR COST INCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY TAPPED FROM BEHIND AT LOW SPEED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V0310).

Exterior Lighting

ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.ODI INITIALLY REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT, BUT LATER DOWNGRADED THE REPORT DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR COST INCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY TAPPED FROM BEHIND AT LOW SPEED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V0310).

PE05065 · Brake Lamp Switch Failure

Opened Dec 2, 2005 · Closed May 1, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

BY LETTER DATED APRIL 26, 2006, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V139) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-06 CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON AND 2006 MY ISUZU I280/I350 VEHICLES.GM'S RECALL COVERS 404,733 VEHICLES.GM REPORTS THAT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATION WAS CAUSED BY INSUFFICIENT PLATING ON THE STATIONARY CONTACT IN THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.GM WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WITH THE NEW SWITCH THAT HAS THE INCREASED PLATING ON THE STATIONARY CONTACT.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.