GMC CANYON · model year

2012 GMC CANYON

30 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012GMCCANYON carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 CANYON is electrical system with 8 filings, followed by electronic stability control (esc) (2) and service brakes (2). 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 2 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 2012 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.

30
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

30 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
SERVICE BRAKES2
AIR BAGS2
STEERING2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
POWER TRAIN1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER1
ENGINE1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB1
SUSPENSION1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1

Recalls (2)

12V59400019/12/2012

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

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 missin

11V55200017/11/2011

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

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 VEH

Recent Complaints

20250920AIR BAGS

Seatbelt light for the front driver continues to turn on even when buckled in and will ding to notify that it’s not buckled despite it buckled in. This is a safety issue as the airbag light also remains on because of it.

20250920SEAT BELTS

Seatbelt light for the front driver continues to turn on even when buckled in and will ding to notify that it’s not buckled despite it buckled in. This is a safety issue as the airbag light also remains on because of it.

20240507STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

The contact owns a 2012 GMC Canyon. The contact noticed that there was wiring appearing from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear sub frame was rusted and cracked. Additionally, the parking brake cable was hanging from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,908. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 139,908

20240303ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On all chevy / canyon models 05 thru 12 there is an issue called "passlock" which prevents the vehicle from starting, it will leave you stranded. The failure is the ignition housing with the passlock sensor, not the actual key / tumbler, the part has to be replaced. The problem / failure is so common that you can "google" 2005 thru 2012 chevy colorado gmc canyon passlock issue" and find the root and a how to fix / repair guides. I spent almost $600 at the GMC dealer, they found no error or trouble codes in either on board computer, I showed the service advisor the issue, online diagnosis and suggested the repair. This is so dam common it should be a defective part recall and all repairs and costs covered by GM / GMC

20240303UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On all chevy / canyon models 05 thru 12 there is an issue called "passlock" which prevents the vehicle from starting, it will leave you stranded. The failure is the ignition housing with the passlock sensor, not the actual key / tumbler, the part has to be replaced. The problem / failure is so common that you can "google" 2005 thru 2012 chevy colorado gmc canyon passlock issue" and find the root and a how to fix / repair guides. I spent almost $600 at the GMC dealer, they found no error or trouble codes in either on board computer, I showed the service advisor the issue, online diagnosis and suggested the repair. This is so dam common it should be a defective part recall and all repairs and costs covered by GM / GMC

20230123ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Within past year, 2022 to present vehicle will on average 4-5 times a month fail to start. Key in ignition, to accessory mode than fail to turn over. All indicator lamps on dash display. Door chime sounds. Nothing to indicate a problem. Had GMC dealership troubleshoot. They found no codes and vehicle would start fine for them (of course). New battery had been installed, starter was tested, fuel injectors cleaned. MY online research has found a similar problem with multiple year GMC vehicles beginning in 2009 thru 2014. Ignition lock cylinder issue due to pass lock sensor. Passlock sensor malfunctions thus requiring a 10 minute wait prior to restarting vehicle. A vehicle requiring 10 minute wait time is a safety issue if we needed this vehicle in an emergency. It's my understanding GMC is aware of this issue but considers it a nuisance and not a critical issue. My thoughts are its a safety issue they"re aware of but don"t care.

20220805ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

The Passcode Anti-theft system randomly triggers when attempting to start the vehicle. When it triggers, the vehicle cannot be started for at least 10 minutes. I have had this system trigger multiple times at home, at the grocery store, and at a gas station. I am afraid that the device will eventually leave me stranded, so I am having the device replace for the cost of over $700.

20220220SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES: I purchased vehicle September 25, 2012. This problem has occurred since I purchased the vehicle. It does not happen all the time. The problem is the brakes lockup and the steering wheel shudders and the vehicle pulls to the right. The vehicle makes a griding noise. It will NOT stop immediately when you put on the brakes. The brake pedal jumps up and down and makes a grinding noise. The vehicle pulls to the right and jumps up and down. In answer to the next question: This problem has happened since I purchased the vehicle.

20200622STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND HEARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARTON CHEVROLET CADILLAC (800 AUTO PARK PL, NEWBURGH, NY 12550), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLICKING SOUND NOISE WAS COMING FROM A MULTIPLICATION SWITCH FROM THE STEERING AND THAT THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS ORDERED FROM THE DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,966.

Mileage: 121,966

20200622STEERING

CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR

20191126ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE WEIGHT ON THE KEYRING AND ROAD CONDITIONS OR A JARRING EVENT CAUSES THE IGNITION SWITCH TO MOVE OUT OF THE RUN POSITION, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN THE RUN POSITION AND THERE ARE NO OTHER MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE RECALL OF GMC'S CADILLAC CTS.

Mileage: 110,000

20190207VISIBILITY/WIPER

WHILE DRIVING ON I 71 AT 70 MPH IN A POURING RAIN MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK

Mileage: 136,000

20181219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TRUCK WILL NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. COMPLETELY INOPERABLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN WILL START UP WITH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING DIFFERENTLY DONE TO IT. LEFT ME AND MY KIDS STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES. APPEARS TO BE A PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT PROBLEM. MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN TO BE SUBJECTED TO!!! IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MY CHILDREN WHILE STRANDED THIS COMPLAINT WILL BE USED IN A LAWSUIT AGAINST GENERAL MOTORS!!! SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX PROBLEMS TO NO AVAIL. IT'S NO LONGER ABOUT THE MONEY, BUT THE GENERAL SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AND THEIR CHILDREN!!! RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND MAKE US WHOLE!!!

Mileage: 70,000

20181015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THERE IS A PROBLEM WHIT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM . OFTEN 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 DAYS THE TRUCK WILL NOT START. THE SECURITY LOCK DASH LIGHT FLASHES AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW THE TUCK TO START . AFTER EXACTLY 10 MIN THE SECURITY SYSTEM TIMES-OUT AND RESETS ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO START . THIS IS A PROBLEM ON MANY CHEVY AND GMC VEHICLES AND HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE 1998..OFTEN I AM IN SITUATIONS WHERE I JUST CANT SIT AND WAIT THE 10 REQUIRED MINUTES. TWICE I WAS AT THE AIRPORT. ONCE I WAS AT THE HOSPITAL . I HAVE BEEN TO THE GMC DEALERS FOR THEIR HELP . YET THE DEALERS CLAIM NOT TO HAVE EVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM . I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM . THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE .BUT THEIR SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE S1TEERING COLOM THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A FIX AND THE MANUFACTURES MUST HAVE A FIX THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACING PARTS WILLY-NILLY IN SOME HOPE OF GETTING OWNERS JUST OUT OF THE SHOP . YOUTUBE HAS MANY VIDEOS OF DESPERATE OWNERS TRYING TO FIND A FIX.

20180828SUSPENSION

THE WELD TO THE FRAME FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND TORSION BAR BROKE CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. WELD APPEARED DEFECTIVE. 60, 000 MILES ON VEHICLE.

Mileage: 60,250

20180524ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY MOTHER HAS BEEN LEFT STRANDED IN PARKING LOTS OR DRIVE WAYS MANY TIMES. THE ENGINE WON'T START, AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IS FLASHING, WAIT TEN MINUTES THEN IT WILL FINALLY START. THE FLASHING LIGHT WILL EVENTUALLY GO OFF THEN SHE WILL TRY TO START THE ENGINE. SHE CAN NOW GET TO HER DESTINATION OR SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX AND GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS.

Mileage: 45,000

20160914SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HUB BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OVER 100,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILLAGE WAS 161,000.

Mileage: 161,000

20160909ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

20160309TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC CANYON. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT/S TIRES, SIZE LT265/70R17. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE LOW TIRE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT. THE CONTACT HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE TIRE OFF AND BROUGHT IT TO THE TIRE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A BUBBLE THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL WAS PRESENT IN THE CENTER OF THE TREAD. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,500.

Mileage: 41,500

20150615ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1/29/2015 NO CRANK..DISPLAYED MESSAGE "SERVICE STAB SYS TRACTION FAULT" HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ECU REPAIR COST WAS GOING TO BE MORE THAN$500.00 UNTIL I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE IT WAS THEN REDUCED TO $100.00. MILEAGE WAS 33478. THIS WAS THREE MONTHS AGO. AND THE NO CRANK PROBLEM CONTINUED HOWEVER TURNED KEY BACK TO OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN VEHICLE WOULD.. TODAY HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT WHEN IT STARTED ENGINE MISFIRE AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE "SERVICE STAB SYS TRACTION FAULT REDUCED POWER". WAS ABLE TO LIMP HOME AT 25 MPH ONCE THERE SHUT ENGINE OF THEN RESTARTED SEEMED TO BE RUNNING OK THEN BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON. I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING IF IT WILL START. I ALSO CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN. MILEAGE NOW IS 39650

Mileage: 39,650

Compare 2012GMCCANYON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 GMC CANYON have?
The 2012 GMC CANYON has 30 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 GMC CANYON?
The 2012 GMC CANYON received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 GMC CANYON?
Yes, the 2012 GMC CANYON has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC CANYON?
The most-complained component for the 2012 GMC CANYON is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2012 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. The 2012 GMC CANYON has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.