KnownCarProblems2004 GMC Canyon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 GMC Canyon, most often about the body and structure (20% of complaints, typically around 94,000 miles). It is 5th of 21 Canyon model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2004 GMC Canyon problems
Body and structure
16 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, after driving over train tracks the vehicle made a loud noise. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the frame was bent in half. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who did not offer any assistance since…
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!
Suspension
13 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
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…
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…
Electrical
13 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
2004 GMC Canyon, 113,000 miles. About a year ago started having starting problems. Changed fuel pump, out of my pocket, truck out of warranty. $400 later truck still had starting problems. Noticed when it won't start passlock light is on. Have to wait 10 minutes or so then it'll start. Happening more frequent now.…
I just read a jalopnik article on a recall of the g3 hummer and the question why the Canyon/colorado was not included. A few years back the blower fan quit working on low settings. I found a tech tip that suggested I replace the fan resistor, which I did. I remember when I replaced it there was brown marks on the…
Engine
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
My truck is failing to start at intermittent times. Have checked the starter and alternator but the lights work and the battery checks out fine. After about 15 minutes the truck will start and run normally. I had the fuel pump changed as I was told this was the problem but the problem persisted. I changed the fuel…
GMC admits that there is a major problem with the 5 cylinder motor. They know that there is documented evidence with the cylinder head leaking air, causing trouble with idle, and truck speeds, but they refuse to produce a recall even after allthe money that is dished out for this truck. The truck will go died at stop…
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
Dt: contact stated the tires wore out. The original front tires were replaced because they wore out from the inside. The replacement tires were also wearing out. The dealer did not offer any explanation for the tire wear. Updated 12/27/05.
Tl contact owns a 2004 GMC Canyon. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise and pulled off the road. The road conditions were dry. He noticed that the tire tread on the driver side rear tire had separated and the fender was damaged. Aaa was called to change the tire. The vehicle was driven to a body shop…
Lights
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
: the contact stated while driving various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights failed intermittently. The contact replaced the brake light switch. The dealer was not alerted.
The brake light switch fails and we lose the brake lights and the cruise control. It has been replaced 2 times at the dealer and once by me after the recall under pe05065.
Brakes
6 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
For over 1 year now my 2004 g<c Canyon has had intermittent brake problems. The ABS brake sensors are bad just like on the full size trucks. I am dissapointed that this model is not included in the recall for ABS brakes. My brakes lock up when first used then when they get warmed up the seem to work better although…
Reference recalls on report receipt date: apr 27, 2006 NHTSA campaign number: 06v139000 component(s): exterior lighting report receipt date: jul 29, 2009 NHTSA campaign number: 09v310000 component(s): exterior lighting my 2004 GMC Canyon brake light went out on me on 8/8/2013. The brake light out was a safety concern…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 6%My 2004 GMC Canyon caught fire yesterday about 1:12 pm and burned up. The fire dept. Indicated a strong smell of gas. This event happened about 20 minutes after I arrived home in the vehicle. The fire was put out by the eastside fire dept under inciident number 17-1594. Their phone number is [phone].
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 GMC Canyon recalls
Child Seat
Risk: 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 restrai
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: A following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch assembly. The recall began on december 5, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463 or isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
Full defect summary
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 are connected to the vehicle's brake lamp wiring will mimic the vehicle's brake lamps when either condition occurs.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake lamp switch malfunction
Summary
On july 28,2009, gm initiated a regional recall campaign on certain model year (my) 2004-2009 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles and my2006-2008 isuzu I-series vehicles.the states and u.s. Territories involved are al, az, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, nv, nm, pr, sc, tx, vi and ut.a total of 185,903 vehicles will be recalled with 92,272 vehicles within the scope of this investigation.in addition, a special coverage/extended warranty program will be initiated forvehicles registered in all other states. Gm determined that brake lamp switch failures are more likely to occur in vehicles in which customers used interior cleaners containing silicon and that reside in hot geographical locations.brake
Inadvertent front airbag deployment
Summary
All reports indicate inadvertent deployment during ignition start-up (key-on) and with the vehicle not in motion.reported injuries were minor and consist of skin abrasion and bruises.the incident dates ranged from july through november 2004.odi has received no additional reports since opening this investigation. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by t
Questions about the 2004 GMC Canyon
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 GMC Canyon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (16 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles); suspension (13 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); electrical (13 complaints, typically around 90,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 GMC Canyon have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 18, 2010 (child Seat). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the GMC Canyon?
- It is 5th of 21 Canyon model years by number of complaints, with 80 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.