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2008 GMC Canyon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 GMC Canyon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

31 reports with mileage · 7 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 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

14 reports
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144,000 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Engine

VEHICLE SETS AN "AC OFF" FAULT MESSAGE FREQUENTLY. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES TO ZERO AND THE AC DOES NOT WORK. THE TRUCK IS NOT OVERHEATING AND NO OTHER FAULTS ARE SET. NO TROUBLE CODES ARE FOUND DURING SCAN. AFTER SOME TIME (20-50 MILES OF TRAVEL), THE FAULT DISAPPEARS AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND AC BEGIN W…

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VEHICLE SETS AN "AC OFF" FAULT MESSAGE FREQUENTLY. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES TO ZERO AND THE AC DOES NOT WORK. THE TRUCK IS NOT OVERHEATING AND NO OTHER FAULTS ARE SET. NO TROUBLE CODES ARE FOUND DURING SCAN. AFTER SOME TIME (20-50 MILES OF TRAVEL), THE FAULT DISAPPEARS AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND AC BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. THERE ARE LITERALLY 1,000'S OF MESSAGES ON DISCUSSION BOARDS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES ON DIFFERENT GM VEHICLES. PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED ONE, SOME, OR ALL COMPONENTS OF THEIR COOLING SYSTEM TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES GOES AWAY FOR A FEW HOURS OR A FEW MONTHS, BUT ALWAYS SEEMS TO RETURN. I HAD MY VEHICLE TO THE GM DEALERSHIP IN MAY 2016 AND THE CONDITION WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED AT THAT TIME. I PAID THE DEALERSHIP TO DO A COMPLETE SERVICING AND INSPECTION OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, WHICH INCLUDED THE COOLING SYSTEM. NO ANOMALIES WERE FOUND BY THE DEALERSHIP. SINCE THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, I REPLACED THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HOPING IT WAS A JUST A BAD SENSOR/CONNECTOR PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOT CHANGED THE CONDITION IN ANY WAY. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS POSSIBLY AN ISSUE RELATED TO THE ACTUAL PLACEMENT OF THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR. I'LL EXPLAIN WITH THE FOLLOWING SCENARIO: ONCE THE ENGINE COMES UP TO OPERATING TEMP, THE THERMOSTAT OPENS, AND WHEN THE COOLANT BEGINS TO CIRCULATE, THE TEMP SENSOR IS LEFT EXPOSED, THE TEMP GAUGE TANKS, AND THE SYSTEM KICKS INTO A SAFE MODE. WHILE THIS IS A GREAT SYSTEM SAFE RESPONSE, I AM PREVENTED ME FROM SEEING A REAL OVERHEAT CONDITION. I PERSONALLY LIVE AND WORK IN THE MOJAVE DESERT. IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE COMMONLY ABOVE 100 DEG F, A PROPERLY OPERATING VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEM CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. I CAN'T BE ENTIRELY SURE IF MY COOLANT SYSTEM REALLY HAS A PROBLEM OR IS JUST GIVING FALSE INDICATIONS AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA ODI #10872146

140,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEFECT WAS A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT NOT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEFECT WAS A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT NOT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 03/11/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10818336

26,000 miles · Feb 15, 2015
Engine

WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE(ESPECIALLY COLD STARTS) THE ENGINE IS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THEN STOPS AFTER IT WARMS UP FOR A WHILE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME I NEED NEW LIFTERS AND HAVE A INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT GM IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING IN MANY D…

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WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE(ESPECIALLY COLD STARTS) THE ENGINE IS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THEN STOPS AFTER IT WARMS UP FOR A WHILE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME I NEED NEW LIFTERS AND HAVE A INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT GM IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING IN MANY DIFFERENT MODELS. HE EVEN SHOWED ME THE TECHNICAL BULLETIN GM HAS OUT ON IT TO TELL MECHANICS HOW TO REPAIR IT. I DID NOT HAVE HIM REPAIR IT BECAUSE OF THE COST AND BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE 30,000 MILES ON IT. I'M HOPING THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT TO FORCE GM TO RECALL IT. MY WARRANTIES ON IT HAVE EXPIRED. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683547

26,272 miles · May 1, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE DEALER CLEANED THE EN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE DEALER CLEANED THE ENGINE AND FUEL WIRING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V154000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,272 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10510216

Official recalls

2

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.