YearToAvoid

2006 GMC Canyon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2006 GMC Canyon has a complaint index of 44, ranked 11th worst out of 19 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It had 48 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Electrical System issues topping the list.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
44/100
#11 of 19 Canyon years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
48
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
3
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 21.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2006 GMC Canyon problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System19 (40%)
  2. Brakes11 (23%)
  3. Engine11 (23%)
  4. Structure & Body8 (17%)
  5. Fuel System6 (13%)
  6. Airbags4 (8%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (6%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers3 (6%)
  9. HVAC2 (4%)
  10. Other2 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners describe electrical fires starting with no apparent cause, including one truck destroyed while parked with suspected ignition switch or steering column wiring problems.
  • Some drivers report repeated electrical failures needing multiple shop visits, including auxiliary outlet, battery, and turn signal issues.
  • Several owners say the passenger-seat airbag light blinks on and off with lighter occupants, and one crash reportedly involved airbags failing to deploy.
  • One owner reports the engine needed full replacement at a low mileage figure shortly after purchase.
  • An HVAC fan motor resistor and connector reportedly overheated and melted, described as a chronic issue on these trucks.
  • One owner describes the brake pedal sitting too close to the gas pedal, causing a work boot to catch and leading to a crash while backing up.
2006 GMC Canyon complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2006Jul 2007Sep 2010Jan 2012Mar 2013Jun 2014Dec 2017Mar 2021
48 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2006 to Mar 2025; peak Sep 2006 (2).

2006 GMC Canyon recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2006 GMC Canyon →

2006 GMC Canyon fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
21.5 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.

2006 compared with other Canyon years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid78113318
2006Good4448418
2007Good3342318
2008Good2838218

All GMC Canyon years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 GMC Canyon a good year?
Yes, relative to other Canyon model years. It has a complaint index of 44 and ranks 11th worst out of 19 years tracked, earning a Good verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 GMC Canyon?
NHTSA complaints show Electrical System issues account for 40% of complaints, followed by Brakes and Engine, each at 23%.
Does the 2006 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 Canyon, covering electrical system issues (including brake lamp function), tire label information, and rear seat tether anchors. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2006 Canyon compare to the 2005 model?
The 2005 GMC Canyon has a complaint index of 78 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2006 model's index of 44 and Good verdict make it notably less complaint-prone.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 GMC Canyon?
EPA rates the 2006 Canyon at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 21.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.