2011 GMC Canyon Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 28, 2024 · 12 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Canyon years
Far fewer complaints than other years 17th of 21 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Canyon. That ranks 17th out of 21 Canyon model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (3 complaints, 25%), typically at around 79,500 miles. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

GMC Canyon
A 2023 GMC Canyon AT4 photographed in Garden City Park, New York , New York, USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2011 GMC Canyon problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags3 · ~79,500 mi
Electrical System3 · ~58,250 mi
Engine3 · ~30,000 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)2 · ~30,000 mi
Exterior Lighting2 · ~36,773 mi
Power Train2 · ~29,450 mi
Service Brakes1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1 · ~150 mi
Structure1 · ~77,089 mi
Unknown or Other1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags325%79,500——
Electrical System325%58,250——
Engine325%30,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)217%30,000——
Exterior Lighting217%36,773——
Power Train217%29,450——
Service Brakes18%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic18%150——
Structure18%77,089——
Unknown or Other18%———
Vehicle Speed Control18%28,900——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 3 complaints
2011: 1201112014: 3201432015: 1201512016: 2201622018: 2201822019: 1201912022: 1202212024: 120241

n = 12 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2011 GMC Canyon recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchDec 19, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V594000 · 118,800 vehicles

Problem: 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 missing the secondary hood latch.

Risk: If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)Jun 28, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V337000 · 6,768 vehicles

Problem: General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 or 3.7 liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles may have been built with an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position. If the shift cable is not in the correct position, the prndl shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. The driver could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park."

Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.

Fix: Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motorMay 6, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V276000 · 4,674 vehicles

Problem: General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles manufactured from september 22, 2010, through november 5, 2010. Some of these vehicles have the condition in which the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not be tightened to specification. When the wipers are operated with a build-up of snow or ice, or if the wipers are operated on a dry windshield, the nut could loosen. If there is sufficient loosening of the nut, the wipers could become inoperative.

Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will secure the wiper motor crank arm nut free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before may 11, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 or www.gmownercenter.com.

Suspension:rear:axle:spindleJan 6, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V007000 · 30,566 vehicles

Problem: General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and gmc canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock.

Risk: The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.

Fix: Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Child seatNov 18, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V575000 · 192,676 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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 restraint.

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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Since I purchased this Canyon in 2019, I've had many occurrences (at least twice a week) of the truck not starting. Through my research on line, I've found other Canyon owners experiencing the same problem. Long story short, the ignition locks and the truck cannot be started unless I wait 10…

Engine · received Sep 28, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11616997

Recall #11181 for 2011 Canyon SLE says GM will replace the automatic transmission adjustment CLIP for free. Recall was established in a GMC assembly plant when a truck would not start. Our truck randomly does not start and we’ve had it looked at with no problems found to indicate why it randomly…

Engine · received Sep 9, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11483654

Takata recall airbag light is on . Truck will shut down when the truck is going down the road at 60 miles an hour less or more. When you start the truck it shuts off again. Or will start right up and wash it right back down. The safety belt light comes on or is the car locked i should say. Which is…

Unknown or Other · received Mar 11, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11186002

My air bag sencer is keeping me from getting a sticker and i don't know what to do about it

Air Bags · received Nov 2, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11144862

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE DETERIORATION ON THE LOWER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER AND FRAME. THE DETERIORATION SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD FRACTURE. THE DEALER (FAIRFIELD CHEVROLET, 2501 MARTIN RD, FAIRFIELD…

Structure · received Feb 28, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11075399

Other GMC Canyon years

← 2010 Canyon · 2012 Canyon →

See all GMC Canyon problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Canyon?

Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, engine problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 3 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2011 GMC Canyon?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2011 GMC Canyon a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Canyon model years, the 2011 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.