Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Canyon, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system9
- Steering2
- Air bags2
- Suspension2
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
- Service brakes2
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Seat belts1
- Power train1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 8 2012 Canyon vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 6 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2012 GMC Canyon failed the safety check 2.65% of the time — 5% more often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 107,793 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 6 variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 GMC Canyon PU/CC AWD | — | 17.9 % |
| 2012 GMC Canyon PU/CC RWD | — | 18.5 % |
| 2012 GMC Canyon PU/EC AWD | — | 17.9 % |
| 2012 GMC Canyon PU/EC RWD | — | 18.5 % |
| 2012 GMC Canyon PU/RC AWD | — | 17.9 % |
| 2012 GMC Canyon PU/RC RWD | — | 18.5 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 16 variants: combined 11.2–14.8 L/100 km (about 16–21 mpg US), CO₂ 258–340 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.9 | 9.3 | 11.2 |
| Canyon Crew Cab · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.9 | 9.3 | 11.2 |
| Canyon · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.8 | 9.6 | 11.3 |
| Canyon Crew Cab · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.8 | 9.6 | 11.3 |
| Canyon 4WD · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 13.2 | 9.6 | 11.6 |
| Canyon 4WD · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 13.5 | 10.1 | 12.0 |
| Canyon · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 14.0 | 10.3 | 12.4 |
| Canyon Crew Cab · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 10.4 | 12.5 |
| Canyon 4WD · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 14.5 | 10.6 | 12.7 |
| Canyon Chassis Cab 4WD · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 14.9 | 11.0 | 13.1 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 4WD · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 14.9 | 11.0 | 13.1 |
| Canyon Chassis Cab · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 15.4 | 11.8 | 13.8 |
| Canyon · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 16.1 | 11.7 | 14.1 |
| Canyon Crew Cab · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 16.1 | 11.7 | 14.1 |
| Canyon 4WD · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 16.9 | 12.2 | 14.8 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 4WD · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 16.9 | 12.2 | 14.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2012 GMC Canyon.
| 2012439 20 Dec 2012 | Other Certain vehicles fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 113 – Hood Latch System. Specifically, the hood may be missing the secondary hood latc… |
| 2011408 18 Nov 2011 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 - Occupant Restraint Systems in Frontal Impact. An incorrect electrical connection… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS THAT DO NOT FIT SNUGLY WITH THE CONNECTOR PINS, CAUSING THE CONNECTION TO BE INTERMITTENT.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What GMC told its dealers about the 2012 GMC Canyon: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011805 | This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number forreflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses. |
| 11011782 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel. |
| 11011709 | This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer. |
| 11011444 | This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer a process for accessing the procedure to add attachments to a GM technical assistance case using the dealer case management tool. |
| 11011205 | This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules. |
| 11010545 | This service bulletin provides information on key code security rules and information on GM keycode look-up applications (U.S). |
| 11010491 | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs. |
| 11010490 | This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption. |
| 11010421 | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements. |
| 11009764 | This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories. |
| 11009756 | This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management. |
| 11009532 | This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive. |
| 11009531 | This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive. |
| 11009156 | This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update. |
| 11009088 | This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped. |
| 11009039 | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information, proper labor operation selection and causal part identification for warranty transactions (U.S. Only). |
| 11008956 | This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only). |
| 11008906 | This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement. |
| 11008898 | The bulletin provides direction on how to locate the Temporary Service Part (TSP) form in GlobalConnect. |
| 11007936 | This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak. |
| 11007935 | This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak. |
| 11007744 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature. |
| 11007743 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature. |
| 11007208 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection. |
| 11007196 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)