2005 GMC Canyon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe dashboard warning lights and brake concerns — recurring ABS lights with grinding or pulsing brakes at low speed, and a blower motor that only works on the highest fan setting. A meaningful share of complaints also describe rust-through in the frame and rear spring area, often noticed during tire or oil changes rather than while driving.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Blower only works on high (resistor and harness)

   • 14 complaints (12%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2015

   Owners describe the heater and A/C blower working only on the highest speed setting, with speeds 1 through 3 failing. Complaints say the blower resistor, its connector, or the wiring harness was replaced, sometimes more than once, and that a service advisor acknowledged seeing the same repair often. A few mention melted or scorched connectors and, in one case, smoke from the vents and a burned harness. Mostly described between about 20,000 and 65,000 miles, sometimes recurring within days or months of the repair.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Cycle the fan through all four speeds with the engine running and check that each setting responds. Ask whether the blower resistor or connector has been replaced and whether any connector showed melting or scorching.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My air conditioning suddenly stopped working except for on 4 (the highest speed) dealership told me it was the blower motor resistor assembly, they repaired it and within 10 days the same problem occurred. They had to keep my truck overnight each time so they could order the part. I had to pay $200 to get this repair done.”

   NHTSA complaint #10242521, filed 2008-09, 48,000 miles

   “The first problem was the AC/heat blower motor would only work on high, had the same switch replaced multiple times. Dealer ship after 4 tries was able to get it working. Then with ABS/traction control lights on dashboard started displaying, took to have repaired they were unable to locate issue. About a week later my car radio would randomly come on after keys were remove from ignition, then also would come on when I would open truck doors. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10588711, filed 2014-05, 105,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS light on with grinding or pulsing brakes

   • 13 complaints (12%)
   • median 63,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2015

   Complaints describe the ABS warning light coming on, often together with a grinding or buzzing noise and a pulsating pedal when braking at low speed, sometimes while backing up. Several owners say the ABS activates when it should not, and that replacing sensors, hubs, or pads did not stop it. Some report the pedal feeling soft or the truck taking longer to stop. Reported from roughly 17,000 to 130,000 miles, with many in the 25,000-85,000 range, and often described as intermittent.

   What to check: Drive the truck and brake repeatedly from low speed to feel for pulsation or grinding, and confirm the ABS light is off after start-up. Ask whether ABS sensors or hub assemblies have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I try to stop the vehicle after going between 5-10 MPH, the ABS system activates and makes a grinding sound . It will do this after 3-4 stops and then the ABS fault light will come on and the problem stops. If I start the truck and drive faster (15 MPH or faster ) then brake, it doesn't do it at the higher speeds.”

   NHTSA complaint #10430313, filed 2011-10, 28,000 miles

   “2005 Gmc Canyon, 4wd. Brakes lock up after sitting for a short period of time or when wet. Abs does activate, hear the noise, rear brakes lock. Went to some of the forums for these vehicles, find out it is common. Took vehicle back to dealer (bought it used as certified GM) as the parking brake stuck only a week after I had the vehicle. They replaced the cable, told me I was set. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10343351, filed 2010-07, 63,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Frame and rear spring area rust-through

   • 13 complaints (12%)
   • median 106,282 mi at 14.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2023

   Complaints describe rust holes through the box frame, often near the rear leaf spring shackle mounts, sometimes severe enough that a shop declined to raise the truck on a lift. Several owners say the corrosion was found by a mechanic during unrelated work such as tires or an oil change, and some were told a frame repair was not recommended. Rusted brake lines are mentioned alongside the frame in a few complaints. Usually reported on higher-mileage, older trucks — commonly from about 50,000 miles up to 140,000 and beyond — and in a few cases after limited winter use.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Get underneath or have a shop inspect the frame rails, especially around the rear spring shackle mounts, for flaking scale and holes. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift is worth it on this model year.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Body frame has rot holes throughout undercarriage. New frame needed. While driving, I went over a speed bump and heard a loud boom from underneath the truck. Upon investigating, it was determined that the driveshaft broke off n was lying on the axel. Aaa was called and immediately towed the truch 1 mile to our mechanic. After a thorough inspection, it was determined that a new driveshaft was needed and upon further inspection, the mechanic spotted numerous pitting rusted holes throughout the frame. Determined that said truck was a total loss.”

   NHTSA complaint #11175042, filed 2019-02, 50,106 miles

   “Nearly total frame failure due to poor steel and extreme rust and corrosion of entire frame. With this model year of Gmc and chevrolet trucks, there are a lot of reports of frame failures. My particular truck is so badly rusted that the cab and body could possibly separate due to frame failure. This vehicle has not been driven much during the winters and has been garaged most of its life. These frames shouldn't be this bad on a 15 year old vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11331142, filed 2020-06, 91,900 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Rough idle, misfire, and stalling

   • 12 complaints (11%)
   • median 44,786 mi at 3.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2006–2015

   Complaints describe rough idling with noticeable vibration, sputtering and stalling at low speed or in stop-and-go traffic, and check-engine lights with misfire and fuel-trim codes. Several owners mention camshaft sensor and solenoid replacements that did not resolve the problem, and a few reference a special coverage program for intake valve seats that they learned about only after the coverage period ended. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 150,000 miles, with several under 50,000.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the engine cold and listen for uneven idle, then scan for stored misfire and fuel-trim codes. Ask whether any valve or cylinder head work was done and whether the extended coverage for intake valve seats was ever used.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Earlier I complained that I had to replace the cam shaft solenoid for the second time, I was mistaken in that complaint, now I am told that it could be an actuator, cam shaft problem or some other related problem. Getting the same error codes as last 2 times in the shop p014 p017 and p300. Engine is till sputtering and dying, pushing too much fuel.”

   NHTSA complaint #10153292, filed 2006-03, 44,786 miles

   “I was driving at the time of failure. Engine light comes on and I took it to the shop to run a diagnostics. These are the codes p0106, p0300 and p0506 that are causing the engine light to keep coming on. This is the second time this has happen. First time the parts replaced were oxygen sensor and the computer back in dec 2005. Now its feb 2006 and I need to take it in again for same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10151176, filed 2006-02, 64,100 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Brake lights quit and cruise control stops working

   • 12 complaints (11%)
   • median 51,250 mi at 4.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2005–2020

   Owners report the brake lights failing to work or staying lit continuously, and the cruise control becoming inoperative at the same time. Complaints describe the brake lamp switch being replaced under warranty or a recall and then failing again, with owners sometimes paying out of pocket. One owner had the switch adjusted at a dealer inspection and the problem returned within a week. Reported from about 7,000 miles up to 145,000 miles, and in several cases the same part failed repeatedly.

   Recall 06V139000Recall 09V310000

   What to check: With a helper, confirm the brake lights come on and go off properly with the pedal, and check that cruise control engages. Ask whether the brake lamp switch has been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake light switch failed on my 2005 Canyon (brake lights would not shut off). Complained to dealer when it was taken in for inspection a few days later. They adjusted switch passed the truck in inspection. A week later problem occurred again. Was never notified of a recall. Had to find that out in personal research. Had to buy the part myself since no one would acknowledge the recall and did not have parts.”

   NHTSA complaint #10165374, filed 2006-08, 7,200 miles

   “Brake light went out. Brake switch was serviced 2 years ago under a recall for the exact same problem. Gm will not replace the part unless I pay for a new one. How can a new part have the same exact problem as in the recall. The cruise control will not work.”

   NHTSA complaint #10629223, filed 2014-08, 144,567 miles

Buying note. On a used example, prioritize a lift inspection of the frame and rear spring mounts, then verify the ABS light, brake lights, and every blower speed work correctly. Service records showing whether the brake lamp switch, blower resistor, and any valve work were addressed will tell you a lot about how this truck has been maintained.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.