KnownCarProblems2008 GMC Canyon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 GMC Canyon, most often about the electrical (40% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is 11th of 21 Canyon model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 GMC Canyon problems
Electrical
15 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
1. "theft deterrent" illuminates and truck will not start. Have to wait 10 minutes with key in the "acc" position and then it starts. Happens often at least 2 times a week. Also, while I am driving the "theft deterrent" illuminates at least 4 times a week while highway driving but luckily the truck does not stall or…
"rear brake lights" lights were not working when I applied pressure to the brake pedal. I was going to work and a driver next to me informed me that both my brake lights are not working as I was at a red light. I was driving on a city street. The result was I replaced both rear brake bulbs after spending 2 hours of…
Engine
14 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
"rear brake lights" lights were not working when I applied pressure to the brake pedal. I was going to work and a driver next to me informed me that both my brake lights are not working as I was at a red light. I was driving on a city street. The result was I replaced both rear brake bulbs after spending 2 hours of…
1. "theft deterrent" illuminates and truck will not start. Have to wait 10 minutes with key in the "acc" position and then it starts. Happens often at least 2 times a week. Also, while I am driving the "theft deterrent" illuminates at least 4 times a week while highway driving but luckily the truck does not stall or…
Brakes
8 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
"rear brake lights" lights were not working when I applied pressure to the brake pedal. I was going to work and a driver next to me informed me that both my brake lights are not working as I was at a red light. I was driving on a city street. The result was I replaced both rear brake bulbs after spending 2 hours of…
"engine light" illuminates while driving. During the first 20 minutes of driving this light appears and stays on. Then 15 minutes later as I continue to drive with no stopping or turning off the engine, the light goes off.
Speed control
5 complaints · 13%The initial problem is that the vehicle ignition engages on its own while parked without the key being in the ignition. I would notice the radio playing on occasion. When I opened the door the bells sound like the key is in the ignition but it is not. On other occasions the battery would just be drained dead. I took…
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Canyon. While attempting to park the vehicle, it gently touched the median and independently accelerated. The vehicle failed to stop until it crashed into the side of a building. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was not injured. A police…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 13%About three to four times a week my vehicle will not start and I have to remove the key wait ten to thirty minutes reinsert the key then the truck will start. Several times a week I must shake the key to get the dash board and radio to work therefore allowing the vehicle to operate, tho the vehicle switch has not been…
About 3-4 days per week the truck will not start. We have to take the key out of the ignition and let the truck sit for around 10 min. And then the truck will start, or if it does start the components on the dash and the radio does not work and we have to wiggle the switch to get it to work.
Body and structure
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Canyon. While undergoing brake service at tradition chevrolet buick (847 rte 5, geneva, ny 14456, ([phone]), the technician diagnosed that the rear of the frame was rotted out. The technician recommended that the frame be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made…
I took my vehicle to a small business owner's garage for routine brake work. He showed me a crack in the frame almost all the way through excluding an inch. He found it when he tried lifting the vehicle to do the brakes. It is behind the cab, in front of the bed of the truck. Only one side was holding my truck…
Lights
4 complaints · 11%The initial problem is that the vehicle ignition engages on its own while parked without the key being in the ignition. I would notice the radio playing on occasion. When I opened the door the bells sound like the key is in the ignition but it is not. On other occasions the battery would just be drained dead. I took…
1. "theft deterrent" illuminates and truck will not start. Have to wait 10 minutes with key in the "acc" position and then it starts. Happens often at least 2 times a week. Also, while I am driving the "theft deterrent" illuminates at least 4 times a week while highway driving but luckily the truck does not stall or…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while turning at unknown speeds. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times but the failure could not be replicated. The dealer cleaned…
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Canyon. When shifting into drive or reverse, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The defect was a recurring issue. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it not was diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 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.
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.
Questions about the 2008 GMC Canyon
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 GMC Canyon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (15 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); engine (14 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); brakes (8 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Canyon have?
- 2 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 2008 a bad year for the GMC Canyon?
- It is 11th of 21 Canyon model years by number of complaints, with 38 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.