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GMC CanyonModel year report

2006 GMC Canyon Problems

Complaints
48filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,000miles, 33 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.5L 5-cyl RWD · 17 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 GMC Canyon (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2006 GMC Canyon. The part named most often is electrical system, with 17 complaints (35% of the total), followed by brakes (11) and engine (6). 33 of the complaints include a mileage, and 42% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 723 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 145 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the switch and 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Equipment (1), Interior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “I have a 2006 Gmc Canyon and the issue is the car switches into security mode a for no reason vehicle will not start or won't crank at all and it only gets worse there are a few youtube videos showing how to bypass security system , but I feel GM should send out notices to customers on how to fix or disable this problem”

NHTSA complaint #11395847, filed 2021-02, 126,000 miles

Brakes: “As we were driving on a smooth asphalt dry road the ABS light and the brake failure light came on along with an anunciator sound warning. We immediately pulled over and brought the truck to a stop. We tested the brakes by pushing on the pedal and we still had good brakes. We continued carefully on home and inspected the brake fluid which was ok. After turning off and then turning on the key and starting the engine, the ABS warning light came back on but the brake failure light was not illuminated. …”

NHTSA complaint #10551759, filed 2013-11, 43,170 miles

Engine: “I bought this 2006 Gmc Canyon in december of 2011. Yet they mysteriously couldn't give me tags for it until april 2012. They knew there was an on going recall for bad valve seats and seals and sold the truck to me anyway. I immediately began having engine problems as soon as I got it and had the truck back to motor city Gmc here in bakersfield, ca. Three times under the limited 10,000 mile warranty missing three day's of work each time. …”

NHTSA complaint #10652529, filed 2014-11, 67,500 miles

Fuel system: “The 2.9 4 cyl. Engine in my 06 Gmc Canyon dies intermittently. When it does, reduced power displays in the driver info center and the truck will not restart. The power is cut to the starter and fuel pump but all accessories still function properly. After a few minutes the system seems to reset and the truck will start and operate normally. Until the next time it decides to go out. I would say that under no circumstance should an engine die unexpectedly on the highway or at a red light and not allow restart for several minutes. This is extremely dangerous.”

NHTSA complaint #10605696, filed 2014-06, 128,497 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

42% of the 33 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,900 and 85,000 miles.

18%0–109%10–2515%25–5024%50–7515%75–10015%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (33 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’07’10’128’14’16’18’21’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 GMC Canyon. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Canyon · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 17.9% risk
Canyon · extended cab RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4——4 · 17.9% risk
Canyon · regular cab RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4——4 · 17.9% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 GMC Canyon version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Canyon 2WD2.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual182520$3,350
Canyon 2WD2.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic152218$3,700
Canyon 2WD3.5L 5-cyl4-speed automatic172219$3,550
Canyon 2WD3.5L 5-cyl5-speed manual172319$3,550
Canyon 4WD2.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual162118$3,700
Canyon 4WD2.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic152117$3,950
Canyon 4WD3.5L 5-cyl5-speed manual172219$3,550
Canyon 4WD3.5L 5-cyl4-speed automatic162018$3,700
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD2.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual182521$3,200
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD2.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic152217$3,950
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD3.5L 5-cyl4-speed automatic172219$3,550
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD2.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual162118$3,700
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD2.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic152117$3,950
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD3.5L 5-cyl4-speed automatic162117$3,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 GMC Canyon → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 723 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 723 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Canyon

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202683502420—Too new
2025813,5002420—Too new
20242074,0003420Too new to compareToo new
2023623,000342099 · MoreToo new
20222822,212142240 · TypicalRising
20211246,5002422—Not enough data
20201418,5000422—Not enough data
20191736,0820422—Rising
20185322,000142243 · TypicalStable
20176627,803142256 · TypicalFalling
201627146,5234422100 · MoreStable
201530354,6808422100 · MoreFalling
20122345,0002—21—Stable
20111251,0735—21—Not enough data
2010810,0002—21—Not enough data
20092749,9283—2030 · FewerFalling
20083868,0002—200 · FewerStable
20074273,6513—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20064860,0004—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200511350,1063—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20048074,4563—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Canyon model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 GMC Canyon have?

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2006 GMC Canyon as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 GMC Canyon is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 17 complaints (35% of the total), followed by brakes with 11.

Has the 2006 GMC Canyon been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 GMC Canyon get?

The EPA rates the 2006 GMC Canyon (Canyon 2WD, 3.5L 5-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 GMC Canyon reported?

Among the 33 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 22,900 and 85,000 miles; 42% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.