GMC CANYON · model year

2004 GMC CANYON

103 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004GMCCANYON carries 103 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 CANYON is electrical system with 12 filings, followed by suspension (11) and structure:body (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2004 CANYON. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

103
Complaints
5
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

103 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
SUSPENSION11
STRUCTURE:BODY9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH5
AIR BAGS5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH3
WHEELS3
TIRES3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS2
SUSPENSION:FRONT2

Recalls (3)

09V31000029/07/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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, MISSISSIP

06V13900027/04/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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 AR

10V57500018/11/2010

CHILD SEAT

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

Recent Complaints

20240612STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame has rust through and broke on rear front leafspring mount of frame on both side . A very know problem with almost every one of these trucks

20240612UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The frame has rust through and broke on rear front leafspring mount of frame on both side . A very know problem with almost every one of these trucks

20230226SUSPENSION

Frame front passenger cracked while driving. Was able to avoid near accident with another vehicle.

20220201SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2004 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after work was completed on the tires, the independent mechanic informed him that due to severe undercarriage corrosion, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact also took the vehicle to a dealer who provided the same information as the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and informed him that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. No additional assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Mileage: 89,000

20220201STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

The contact owns a 2004 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after work was completed on the tires, the independent mechanic informed him that due to severe undercarriage corrosion, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact also took the vehicle to a dealer who provided the same information as the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and informed him that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. No additional assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Mileage: 89,000

20200313SUSPENSION

THE CHASSIS HAS BECOME SEVERELY RUSTED ON LEFT SIDE WHERE FRONT OF LEAF SPRING IS BOLTED TO IT. IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF AND IT HAS BEEN DENOTED AS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE" BY THE LOCAL GMC DEALERSHIP. TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION OTHERWISE. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE-KEPT FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. I BOUGHT IT NEW 9/2004. THE DEALERSHIP JUST DISCOVERED PROBLEM TODAY WHEN I WAS HAVING OTHER ROUTINE WORK DONE.

Mileage: 106,500

20191215STRUCTURE:BODY

WE HAD SOME REPAIR WORK DONE AND WERE TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT SO BADLY IT WAS READY TO BREAK IN HALF, LEAVING US WITH A CAR THAT IS UNDRIVEABLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH OTHER MODELS OF GMC TRUCKS AND THE ISSUE IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!

Mileage: 98,000

20191108STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR FRAME. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,730. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 119,730

20190714ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER READING A POST FROM THE 116 AFFECTED GMC CANYON OWNERS I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. LAST MONTH JUNE 2019 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY AC JUST QUIT WORKING (HOT WEATHER IN SACRAMENTO), NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IT WAS ON 1 THROUGH 4. I ALSO SMELT A BURNING SMELL. TODAY WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK TO THE REALER TO GET IT ANALYZED I HIT A BUMP AND THE BLOWER STARTED WORKING AGAIN ON SPEED 4. BOB FROM JOHN L SULLIVAN CHEVY JUST CALLED TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS...THE CONNECTOR THAT CONNECTS TO THE BLOWER WAS MELTED AND THE RESISTER WAS BURNT.

Mileage: 183,000

20190302UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REAR FRAME HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT. NOW SITTING AND CANNOT DRIVE. I LOVE DRIVING THIS TRUCK BUT NOW IT IS JUST SITTING. HOPE GM WILL SELL ME A FRAME AT COST SO I CAN FIX IT.

Mileage: 280,000

20190225STRUCTURE:BODY

UNDERCARRIAGE RUST CAUSED SPARE TIRE/WHEEL TO FALL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 68,000

20190225WHEELS

UNDERCARRIAGE RUST CAUSED SPARE TIRE/WHEEL TO FALL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 68,000

20181207ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE GMC PASSLOCK LOCKOUT FEATURE IS A PAIN IN THE REAR OF NEARLY EVERY CAR/TRUCK OWNER HAVING THIS FEATURE. TODAY, FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN I TRIED TO START IT UP AFTER FUELING. MY TRUCK WAS STUCK AT THE GAS PUMPS, OBSTRUCTING OTHER PATRONS WAITING TO GAS UP. I SAT WAITING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN, WHILE GETTING DIRTY LOOKS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WAITING TO GAS UP. OF, COURSE IT DIDN'T START BECAUSE I HADN'T WAITED THE REQUISITE 10 MINUTES. FINALLY, I GOT OUT AND PUSHED THE TRUCK AWAY FROM THE PUMPS BY MYSELF (I AM 72 YEARS OLD) AND THEN WAITED 10 MINUTES AND FINALLY RE-STARTED MY VEHICLE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AGGRAVATION OF MY VEHICLE NOT STARTING MANY, MANY TIMES DURING THE 14 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GMC PRODUCT! GMC SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Mileage: 68,762

20180824STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC CANYON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *TT *JB

Mileage: 86,000

20180824SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC CANYON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *TT *JB

Mileage: 86,000

20180608SUSPENSION

FRAME IS RUSTING AND COLLAPSING IN AREA BETWEEN CAB AND BED ON BOTH SIDES I HAD ATOYOTATACOMA WITH THIS CONDITION AND MANUFACTURER BOUGHT IT BACK . MY VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN A COLLISION. 95000 MILES

20180427AIR BAGS

THE DASH WARNING FOR SEATBELT IS LIT UP

Mileage: 85,000

20180402ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPING WORKING AND DOOR LOCKS AND CONTROLLABLE TO AND WINDOWS TO

20170927SUSPENSION

THE FRAME HAS TOTALLY RUSTED AND IS BREAKING APART WHILE THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. SEE PHOTOS. THIS WAS NOTICED ON 09-18-17. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2004 AND AS YOU CAN TELL BY THE MILEAGE IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN VERY LITTLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

Mileage: 53,600

20170927STRUCTURE:BODY

TRUCK FRAME HAS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. BODY SHOWS NOTHING, BUT THE FRAME IS DISINTEGRATING. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS BASED ON PICTURES WHICH SHOWED AN EXTREMELY CLEAN BODY AND INTERIOR (TRUE). GOT IT DELIVERED TO MY MECHANIC WHO CALLED ME TO SHOW ME THE HOLES IN THE FRAME!

Mileage: 78,000

Compare 2004GMCCANYON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 GMC CANYON have?
The 2004 GMC CANYON has 103 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 GMC CANYON?
Yes, the 2004 GMC CANYON has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 GMC CANYON?
The most-complained component for the 2004 GMC CANYON is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2004 GMC CANYON safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.