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2009 GMC Canyon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 GMC Canyon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.

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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

22 reports with mileage · 5 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 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 3 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 reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2021
Electrical System

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Car will periodically and unpredictably not crank, fire or start. After attempting approximately 10 minutes later it will. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? One never knows circumstances in which they ne…

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What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Car will periodically and unpredictably not crank, fire or start. After attempting approximately 10 minutes later it will. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? One never knows circumstances in which they need reliable transportation. In my case I have elderly parents that can need me at any given time. In most cases it is an annoyance but due to the unpredictable factor anything could happen. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes but no codes were trapped in ECM Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No

NHTSA ODI #11443374

45,000 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

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 TALK…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11377882

92,301 miles · Dec 28, 2016
Electrical System

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.

NHTSA ODI #10937817

55,000 miles · Sep 17, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

I DRIVE A 2009 GMC CANYON. WHEN DRIVING I'VE NOTICE THAT WHEN HITTING A HARD BUMP, SOMETIMES TURNING OR ACCELERATING QUICKLY WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY OR STREET, THE TRUCK SHUTS OFF CAUSING THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES USELESS AND VERY HARD TO APPLY. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES IN THE COURSE OF ONE TRIP AND HAPPENS…

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I DRIVE A 2009 GMC CANYON. WHEN DRIVING I'VE NOTICE THAT WHEN HITTING A HARD BUMP, SOMETIMES TURNING OR ACCELERATING QUICKLY WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY OR STREET, THE TRUCK SHUTS OFF CAUSING THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES USELESS AND VERY HARD TO APPLY. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES IN THE COURSE OF ONE TRIP AND HAPPENS AT A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE ICON FOR THE THEFT DETERRENT APPEARS. THEN I HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO RESTART THE TRUCK. THE DATE BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT DAY IT HAS HAPPENED. THIS HAS BECOME A VERY SERIOUS CAUSE OF CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE IGNITION RECALL OR ANY OTHER RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN I HIT A HARD BUMP IN THE ROAD, AGAIN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I'VE DECIDED TO ASK THE DEALER IF THEY KNOW OF ANY RELATED PROBLEMS AND SEE WHAT RESPONSE I GET, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE. IF YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE, CAN YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME SO THAT I MAY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THIS ISSUE LIGHTLY BECAUSE THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY IS INVOLVED. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT ME, MY NAME IS [XXX] AND MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10907366

39,000 miles · Jul 15, 2016
Electrical System

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10885040

60,000 miles · Dec 30, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, VEHICLE WILL NOT START. TURN KEY, NO CLICK, NO CRANK, NOTHING. ALL STANDARD DASH LIGHT COME ON, HEADLIGHTS ARE BRIGHT, ALL ACCESSORY ITEMS WORK FINE, JUST NO START. HAVE TAKEN TRUCK IN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE NOW FOR PROBLEM, AND NO RESOLUTION. STARTS EVERY TIME FOR THEM. LAST TIME TOOK KEY AND PAPERWOR…

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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, VEHICLE WILL NOT START. TURN KEY, NO CLICK, NO CRANK, NOTHING. ALL STANDARD DASH LIGHT COME ON, HEADLIGHTS ARE BRIGHT, ALL ACCESSORY ITEMS WORK FINE, JUST NO START. HAVE TAKEN TRUCK IN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE NOW FOR PROBLEM, AND NO RESOLUTION. STARTS EVERY TIME FOR THEM. LAST TIME TOOK KEY AND PAPERWORK, WENT OUT TO LOT, GOT IN, AND NO START, WENT BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP, FINALLY GRABBED MECHANIC, WENT TO TRUCK, BUT IT STARTED OK. MAY NOT FAIL AGAIN FOR A DAY OR MORE, THEN FAIL SEVERAL TIMES IN SAME DAY. FAILED TO START TODAY AFTER PULLING INTO GAS STATION AND GETTING FUEL, WOULD NOT START. LONG LINE OF CARS BEHIND ME AND SITUATION GOT VERY UGLY FAST. STATION OWNER/WORKER HELPED DIFFUSE SITUATION. IF YOU LET VEHICLE SIT FOR 10-15 MINUTES BETWEEN RETRIES, IT MAY START. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10817116

75,000 miles · Apr 21, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10584040

14,000 miles · May 14, 2011
Electrical System

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW THE TRUCK TO START, THEN ONCE STARTED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD COMPONENTS FAILED NO SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, TEMP OR AIR CONDITIONER WOULD WORK, ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL WENT INTO ALARM... GMC PEOPLE SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY ALARM CODES AND FAILED TO REPAIR THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM... RECOMMENDED I GET …

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ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW THE TRUCK TO START, THEN ONCE STARTED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD COMPONENTS FAILED NO SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, TEMP OR AIR CONDITIONER WOULD WORK, ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL WENT INTO ALARM... GMC PEOPLE SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY ALARM CODES AND FAILED TO REPAIR THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM... RECOMMENDED I GET ON-STAR TO HELP IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.. I DID, IT FAILED AGAIN AND ON-STAR SAW THE CODES HOWEVER GMC SAYS THEY CANNOT TRUST ON-STAR FINDINGS, EVEN THOUGH THEY RECOMMENDED THEM WHICH IS COSTING ME $30.00 A MONTH TO MONITOR THEIR VEHICLES WARRANTY.. STILL DRIVING A TRUCK THAT SOMETIMES DOES NOT START AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING... VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #10401855

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.

09V154000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

May 6, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE HARD TO START, MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

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.