2012 GMC Canyon Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.9L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 GMC Canyon (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Canyon. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (39% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and air bags (2). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 53% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1,321 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 245 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 24 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Electrical system9 39%
- Brakes3 13%
- Air bags2 8.7%
- Steering2 8.7%
- Suspension2 8.7%
- Engine1 4.3%
- Engine cooling1 4.3%
- Exterior lighting1 4.3%
Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The weight on the keyring and road conditions or a jarring event causes the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. The vehicle will not stay in the run position and there are no other mechanical/electrical problems with the vehicle. This began about a year ago and has progressively got worse. This is similar to the recall of Gmc's cadillac cts.”
NHTSA complaint #11282444, filed 2019-11, 110,000 milesBrakes: “Brake lights and cruise control fail to function vehicle was return to the dealer for service and the fuse box was replaced 2 years and 40,000 miles same issue and after many return visits to the dealer fuse box was replaced again.”
NHTSA complaint #10566232, filed 2014-02, 1,500 milesAir bags: “In fresno, ca at 5:30 p.m., I was heading east on shaw ave., a three lane street, near brawley ave. A van, waiting for cross traffic at the center island, suddenly jolted into three lanes of heavy christmas traffic. The car driver in the first lane slammed on her brakes and stopped safely. I was in the center lane and unable to veer left or right, slammed on my brakes and crashed broadside, totaling both vehicles. My airbag exploded and caught fire. I sustained a head and ankle wound above my left eye and abrasions and burns on both hands and arms. …”
NHTSA complaint #10722293, filed 2015-05, 14,000 milesElectronic stability control: “While driving, the security light came on. Engine power was reduced or completely eliminated. Headlights went out every thing reset in about thirty seconds. Power loss could be deadly if entering a highway from a side street if there is oncoming traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10564123, filed 2014-02, 39,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
53% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 39,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon · regular cab AWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 17.9% risk |
| Canyon · extended cab AWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 17.9% risk |
| Canyon · crew cab AWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 17.9% risk |
| Canyon · regular cab RWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 18.5% risk |
| Canyon · crew cab RWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 18.5% risk |
| Canyon · extended cab RWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 18.5% risk |
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Canyon 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Canyon 2WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Canyon 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Canyon 4WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Canyon 4WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Canyon 4WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Canyon 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 2WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 4WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
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
- 12V594000Dec 19, 2012Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LatchCovers: GMC Canyon 2010–2012, Chevrolet Colorado 2010–2012
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…
- 11V552000Nov 17, 2011Seat belts › FrontCovers: GMC Canyon 2012, Chevrolet Colorado 2012
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles, manufactured from september 9, 2011, through october 19, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number…
Recall details for the 2012 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. 1,321 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11019693Jun 9, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the GMC Canyon
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 350 | 2 | 4 | 20 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 8 | 13,500 | 2 | 4 | 20 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 207 | 4,000 | 3 | 4 | 20 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 62 | 3,000 | 3 | 4 | 20 | 99 · More | Too new |
| 2022 | 27 | 22,212 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 40 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 12 | 46,500 | 2 | 4 | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 14 | 18,500 | 0 | 4 | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 17 | 36,082 | 0 | 4 | 22 | — | Rising |
| 2018 | 53 | 22,000 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2017 | 66 | 27,803 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 56 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 271 | 46,523 | 4 | 4 | 22 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2015 | 303 | 54,680 | 8 | 4 | 22 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 23 | 45,000 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 12 | 51,073 | 5 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 8 | 10,000 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 27 | 49,928 | 3 | — | 20 | 30 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 38 | 68,000 | 2 | — | 20 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2007 | 42 | 73,651 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 48 | 60,000 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 113 | 50,106 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 80 | 74,456 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GMC Canyon model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 GMC Canyon have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Canyon as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 GMC Canyon is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (39% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 2012 GMC Canyon been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 GMC Canyon get?
The EPA rates the 2012 GMC Canyon (Canyon 2WD, 2.9L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 GMC Canyon reported?
Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,000 miles and the middle half falls between 39,000 and 110,000 miles; 53% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.