2005 GMC Canyon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 GMC Canyon has a complaint index of 78, the 5th-worst among 19 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 113 complaints, 3 recalls, and a top problem area of Electrical System with 33 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 78/100
- #5 of 19 Canyon years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 113
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2005 GMC Canyon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System33 (29%)
- Brakes21 (19%)
- Engine21 (19%)
- Structure & Body15 (13%)
- Airbags10 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (7%)
- Other7 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (6%)
- Fuel System3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the truck shaking or wobbling at highway speeds above 45 mph, sometimes noticed within the first few hundred miles.
- Some describe the vehicle unexpectedly surging to 50-60 mph on its own.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple front-end and off-road crashes despite occupant injuries.
- Electrical wiring was reported to rub through the firewall, causing smoke, burning smells, and in one case a fire with the fan and interior lights staying on after shutdown.
- Owners describe the front wheels locking or the rear end sliding out during wet or icy driving, leading to loss of control.
- A differential pan reportedly hung too low and leaked oil, coinciding with a front-wheel lockup incident.
2005 GMC Canyon recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V575000Nov 18, 2010Other192,676 vehicles
Child seat
Gm is recalling certain model year 2004-2011, chevrolet colorado, gmc canyon, model year 2006, isuzu i-280/i-350, and model year 2007-2008, i-290/i-370, regular cab vehicles and extended cab vehicles without a rear seat and equipped with a front 60/40 split bench seat. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the top tether anchor for the front center seat is not accessible and the owner manual does not include instructions regarding how to use the top tether.
Risk: Both NHTSA and gm discourage placement of a child in a front seat. Nevertheless, there are individual circumstances that may require placement of a child in a restraint in the front center seating position of this vehicle that does not offer a rear seat. Lack of access to the top tether anchor and a lack of instructions as to how to use it, may result in improper installation of a child restraint. Improper installation of a child restraint can result in a reduction in the restraint's performance in the event of a crash and an increased risk of injury or death to the child seated in the restraint.
Remedy: Dealers will cut a hole into the back panel trim cover to allow access to the top tether anchor for the front center seat position and will provide supplemental information as to use in the owner's manual. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727 or visit gm's website at www.gmownercenter.com.
- NHTSA 09V310000Jul 29, 2009Electrical System185,903 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 06V139000Apr 27, 2006Electrical System404,733 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
Remedy: 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.
2005 GMC Canyon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Canyon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 GMC Canyon reliable?
- Compared to other Canyon model years, the 2005 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 78, the 5th-worst out of 19 years tracked, and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What problems does the 2005 GMC Canyon have?
- NHTSA complaints point to the Electrical System (33 complaints, 29% of total) as the top problem area, followed by Brakes (21 complaints) and Engine (21 complaints). Median mileage at failure for electrical issues was 53,960 miles.
- Does the 2005 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Canyon, including two Electrical System campaigns covering brake lamp switches and wiring, plus a recall related to rear seat tether anchors. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Canyon compare to newer model years?
- Years like 2010, 2011, and 2012 earned Best verdicts with complaint indexes of 6, 0, and 17 respectively, far lower than the 2005's index of 78.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 GMC Canyon?
- EPA rates the 2005 Canyon at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.