GMC Canyon Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 212 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the GMC Canyon across 16 model years. The 2024 model year has the most (159). The words owners use most often: “headlights flicker” (25% of reports).
- 212exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 43%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Headlights flicker: mentioned in 54 of 212 complaints (25%)
- Every minutes: mentioned in 16 of 212 complaints (8%)
- Think flashing: mentioned in 13 of 212 complaints (6%)
- Oncoming drivers: mentioned in 12 of 212 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 36 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 212 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
GMC Canyon exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Canyon | 159 | 77% | 163 |
| 2023 Canyon | 5 | 8% | — |
| 2022 Canyon | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2021 Canyon | 1 | 8% | 36,121 |
| 2020 Canyon | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2018 Canyon | 3 | 6% | 30,000 |
| 2016 Canyon | 1 | 0% | 2,900 |
| 2015 Canyon | 3 | 1% | 4,500 |
| 2012 Canyon | 1 | 4% | 39,000 |
| 2011 Canyon | 2 | 17% | 36,773 |
| 2009 Canyon | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2008 Canyon | 4 | 11% | 72,000 |
| 2007 Canyon | 5 | 12% | 25,000 |
| 2006 Canyon | 5 | 10% | 40,614 |
| 2005 Canyon | 11 | 10% | 51,625 |
| 2004 Canyon | 8 | 10% | 73,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 2024
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 GMC Canyon vehicles. The headlights may flicker while driving and while the vehicle is in park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Headlights flickering can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace a module in the headlight, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N242468880.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Problem: 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.
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.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006
Problem: 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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The vehicleâs headlights are malfunctioning, creating a safety concern. The issue was reported to the dealership and GMC Customer Care, but it remains unresolved. The dealership offered repair assistance, but GMC Customer Care stated that no additional assistance is available.
The vehicleâs headlights are malfunctioning, creating a safety concern. The issue was reported to the dealership and GMC Customer Care, but it remains unresolved. The dealership offered repair assistance, but GMC Customer Care stated that no additional assistance is available.
While driving my vehicle the vehicle early in the morning going to work, the headlights went out. I pulled over, and turned it to auto and they worked there, but did not work when switching it to headlamps. That happened just the one time. Also, since I have owned the vehicle, after operating the…
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driverâs side low beam headlight failed to illuminate as intended. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that upon further inspection, an unknown electrical fuse was…
The dealer did not fix the recall item on my truck as posted here. The dealers service department confirmed with me on multiple occasions that the recall was not fixed as annotated, but since the dealer was paid for the recall (because it was posted to the system) I am still on a waiting list for…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Canyons have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 212 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the GMC Canyon. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Canyon exterior lighting?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the GMC Canyon?
The most frequent phrase is “headlights flicker”, in 54 of 212 complaints, followed by “every minutes” (16).
Other GMC Canyon problems
- Steering problems (447)
- Electrical System problems (266)
- Power Train problems (183)
- Engine problems (125)
See all GMC Canyon problems.