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Electrical systemPart report

2012 GMC Canyon Electrical system Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
39%of 23 total for the year
Median mileage
45,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 GMC Canyon, 39% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 miles

“My mother has been left stranded in parking lots or drive ways many times. The engine won't start, and the security light is flashing, wait ten minutes then it will finally start. The flashing light will eventually go off then she will try to start the engine. She can now get to her destination or should be able to make it home. This is only a temporary fix and GM needs to fix this.”

NHTSA complaint #11097804, filed 2018-05, 45,000 miles

“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 miles

“1/29/2015 no crank..displayed message service stab sys traction fault had it towed to dealer and they replaced ecu repair cost was going to be more than$500.00 until I contacted GM customer service it was then reduced to $100.00. Mileage was 33478. This was three months ago. And the no crank problem continued however turned key back to off for a few seconds then vehicle would.. Today had this problem but when it started engine misfire and engine light came on along with the message service stab sys traction fault reduced power . …”

NHTSA complaint #10725269, filed 2015-06, 39,650 miles

“The Passcode Anti-theft system randomly triggers when attempting to start the vehicle. When it triggers, the vehicle cannot be started for at least 10 minutes. I have had this system trigger multiple times at home, at the grocery store, and at a gas station. I am afraid that the device will eventually leave me stranded, so I am having the device replace for the cost of over $700.”

NHTSA complaint #11477739, filed 2022-08

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025225%
20242613%
20232032%
20221348%
202118%
2020321%
2019529%
20181019%
20171218%
20163814%
20153211%
2012939%
2011325%
2010225%
2009830%
20081539%
20071433%
20061735%
20052320%
20041316%

Other parts of the 2012 GMC Canyon

Brakes
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 GMC Canyon

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology