GMC CANYON · model year

2005 GMC CANYON

146 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005GMCCANYON carries 146 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 2 fires, 5 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 2005 CANYON is electrical system with 21 filings, followed by service brakes (10) 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 2005 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.

146
Complaints
9
Crashes
2
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

146 filings

Crashes Reported

9 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 SYSTEM21
SERVICE BRAKES10
STRUCTURE:BODY9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH8
AIR BAGS8
VISIBILITY7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5
ENGINE5
SUSPENSION4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT2

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

20230712STRUCTURE:BODY

Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a lot of rusting and holes due to the excessive rusting.

20230712SUSPENSION

Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a lot of rusting and holes due to the excessive rusting.

20230712UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a lot of rusting and holes due to the excessive rusting.

20220109STRUCTURE:BODY

The frames on many of these trucks are unsafe to be on the road due to rusted leaf spring mounts and frame rails that are rotting away and unable to lift on a hoist. Luckily I came across a video warning me to watch out for a rusted frame or else I could have lost control while driving. Yes, I work at a gm dealership and see this issue often, they are very similar to the Toyota trucks that had rusted frames replaced under recall. No it has not been inspected but they're is no way that it would pass an annual inspection, therefore the truck is rendered useless. There were no warnings that the frame was almost rotted in half. Very dangerous situation.

20200626STRUCTURE

NEARLY TOTAL FRAME FAILURE DUE TO POOR STEEL AND EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION OF ENTIRE FRAME. WITH THIS MODEL YEAR OF GMC AND CHEVROLET TRUCKS, THERE ARE A LOT OF REPORTS OF FRAME FAILURES. MY PARTICULAR TRUCK IS SO BADLY RUSTED THAT THE CAB AND BODY COULD POSSIBLY SEPARATE DUE TO FRAME FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN MUCH DURING THE WINTERS AND HAS BEEN GARAGED MOST OF ITS LIFE. THESE FRAMES SHOULDN'T BE THIS BAD ON A 15 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 91,900

20200617STRUCTURE:BODY

ON 6/17/20 AS I WAS TRAVELING UNDER THE ALABASTER, ALABAMA OVER PASS ON HIGHWAY 65 NORTH AN ORANGE CONSTRUCTION BARREL WAS BLOWN INTO THE ROAD BY A TRUCK A HEAD OF ME. I SWERVED IN THE ATTEMPT TO MISS IT. THE BARREL CLIPPED THE PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER AND TORE OUT MY FOG LAMP. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WOULD LIKE MY FOG LAMP REPLACED AND BARRELS NOT IN USE PICKED UP OFF OF THE HIGHWAYS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR

Mileage: 324,515

20200617EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ON 6/17/20 AS I WAS TRAVELING UNDER THE ALABASTER, ALABAMA OVER PASS ON HIGHWAY 65 NORTH AN ORANGE CONSTRUCTION BARREL WAS BLOWN INTO THE ROAD BY A TRUCK A HEAD OF ME. I SWERVED IN THE ATTEMPT TO MISS IT. THE BARREL CLIPPED THE PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER AND TORE OUT MY FOG LAMP. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WOULD LIKE MY FOG LAMP REPLACED AND BARRELS NOT IN USE PICKED UP OFF OF THE HIGHWAYS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR

Mileage: 324,515

20200416STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING THE OIL AT THE RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE VEHICLE ON THE LIFT, THE FRAME STARTED TO COLLAPSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 13,000.

Mileage: 13,000

20200408SERVICE BRAKES

INSTALLED NEW BRAKE LIGHTS DID YOU BRAKE SWITCH UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL SHOWING SIGNS OF NO BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE I'LL BRAKE BALLS HAVE BEEN REPLACE. *TR

20200408VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

INSTALLED NEW BRAKE LIGHTS DID YOU BRAKE SWITCH UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL SHOWING SIGNS OF NO BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE I'LL BRAKE BALLS HAVE BEEN REPLACE. *TR

20191007STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20190820UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE WHOLE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE WENT THRU THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. AFTER LOOKING AT HOW TO REPLACE THIS NOTICED PRETTY MUCH THE WHOLE THING IS RUSTED OUT AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO MAKE IT SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE TRUCK FOR SAFETY REASONS

20190405UNKNOWN OR OTHER

OWNED THE VEHICLE FROM NEW, FRAME STARTED RUSTING AT EVERY WELDMENT FROM DAY ONE. TRIED TO TREAT THE FRAME YEARLY WITH DOOR GREASE TO STOP CORROSION. NO SUCCESS, NOW FRAME IS ROTTED AND IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE.

Mileage: 130,985

20190228UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FRAME CRACKED IN FRONT OF REAR SPRING SHACKLES ON BOTH SIDES. HEARD NOISE BED RUBBING AGAINST CAB. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THE NOISE. FOUND BROKEN FRAME WHEN I GOT HOME.

Mileage: 157,063

20190207STRUCTURE:BODY

BODY FRAME HAS ROT HOLES THROUGHOUT UNDERCARRIAGE. NEW FRAME NEEDED. WHILE DRIVING, I WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. UPON INVESTIGATING, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE OFF N WAS LYING ON THE AXEL. AAA WAS CALLED AND IMMEDIATELY TOWED THE TRUCH 1 MILE TO OUR MECHANIC. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NEW DRIVESHAFT WAS NEEDED AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC SPOTTED NUMEROUS PITTING RUSTED HOLES THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. DETERMINED THAT SAID TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

Mileage: 50,106

20190207UNKNOWN OR OTHER

BODY FRAME HAS ROT HOLES THROUGHOUT UNDERCARRIAGE. NEW FRAME NEEDED. WHILE DRIVING, I WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. UPON INVESTIGATING, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE OFF N WAS LYING ON THE AXEL. AAA WAS CALLED AND IMMEDIATELY TOWED THE TRUCH 1 MILE TO OUR MECHANIC. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NEW DRIVESHAFT WAS NEEDED AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC SPOTTED NUMEROUS PITTING RUSTED HOLES THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. DETERMINED THAT SAID TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

Mileage: 50,106

20181203STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC CANYON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR NEW TIRES, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20181125STRUCTURE:BODY

THE LEFT REAR FRAME RAIL JUST IN FRONT OF THE LEFT REAR FRONT SPRING SHACKLE HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE HOLES THROUGH THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FRAME RAIL. THE SIDES OF THE SAME AREA HAVE BECOME VERY THIN COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL THICKNESS OF THE FRAME RAIL. BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE RUST THROUGH AT THE SPRING SHACKLE IT WAS RECOMMENDED A FRAME REPAIR SHOULD NOT BE COMPLETED. THE TRUCK WAS DISPOSED OF AND TAKEN OFF ROAD. THE REMAINDER OF THE VEHICLE IS IN GOOD CONDITION. MILEAGE 75,124 MILES. THE FRAME RAIL IS FORMED INTO A BOX FRAME WITH THE SEAM LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAIL. THE RUST APPEARS TO BE WORST ON THE SEAM. THE SEAM IS A LAP SEAM AND APPEARS TO TRAP WATER IN THE LAP SEAM. THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME RAIL IS THIN HOWEVER IS NOT RUSTED THROUGH AT THIS TIME.

Mileage: 75,124

20180501SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE LINES AND THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE BIG WHOLES IN THE FRAME. THE GARAGE WOULDN'T EVEN PUT IT ON THE LIFT, BECAUSE IT WAS SO BAD. HAVE REPLACED BREAKS AND STILL THE TRUCK HAS BREAK ISSUES

Mileage: 140,000

20180501UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BRAKE LINES AND THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE BIG WHOLES IN THE FRAME. THE GARAGE WOULDN'T EVEN PUT IT ON THE LIFT, BECAUSE IT WAS SO BAD. HAVE REPLACED BREAKS AND STILL THE TRUCK HAS BREAK ISSUES

Mileage: 140,000

Compare 2005GMCCANYON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 GMC CANYON have?
The 2005 GMC CANYON has 146 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 GMC CANYON?
Yes, the 2005 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 2005 GMC CANYON?
The most-complained component for the 2005 GMC CANYON is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 21 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2005 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.