2009 GMC Canyon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 GMC Canyon has a complaint index of 39 and ranks 12th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Good verdict. It logged 27 complaints, 3 recalls, and its top problem area is the Electrical System with 10 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 39/100
- #12 of 19 Canyon years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 27
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2009 GMC Canyon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System10 (37%)
- Fuel System6 (22%)
- Brakes5 (19%)
- Engine5 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (19%)
- Airbags3 (11%)
- Structure & Body1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy after a side-impact collision that spun the vehicle around.
- Electrical wiring issues led to a cab fire in the rear driver's side section.
- Brake pedal sank to the floor during low-speed parking maneuvers, attributed to air in the brake line.
- Transmission unexpectedly shifted from drive into reverse or dropped into 4x4 low without driver input.
- Fuel control module problems triggered the check engine light and stalling concerns, with some owners denied the related recall repair.
- Anti-theft system false alarms disabled the dashboard gauges and prevented the truck from starting.
2009 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 09V154000May 6, 2009Fuel System27,188 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
Gm is recalling 27,188 my 2009 cadillac escalade, escalade hybrid, escalade esv, and escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, suburban, tahoe, tahoe hybrid, and colorado; and gmc yukon, yukon hybrid, yukon xl, and canyon vehicles. The fuel system control modules may have a condition in which an adhesive separation of the room temperature vulcanizing (rtv) seal between the seal and the housing may allow water to seep into the module.
Risk: Water in the module could cause a short or open circuit, illumination of the service engine soon lamp, setting of diagnostic trouble codes or the engine may be hard to start, may not start or may stall increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new fuel system control module free of charge. The recall began on may 18, 2009. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
2009 GMC Canyon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 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.
2009 compared with other Canyon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 GMC Canyon reliable?
- Compared to other Canyon model years, the 2009 rates Good, with a complaint index of 39 and 27 total complaints, ranking 12th worst of 19 years covered.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 GMC Canyon?
- The Electrical System accounts for 37% of complaints (10 of 27), followed by the Fuel System at 22% and Brakes and Engine each at 19%.
- Does the 2009 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2009 Canyon, covering the Electrical System, Fuel System, and a rear-seat tether anchor issue.
- At what mileage do 2009 GMC Canyon problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: Electrical System issues appeared around 55,000 miles, Fuel System around 47,428 miles, and Transmission & Powertrain around 15,000 miles.
- How does the 2009 GMC Canyon compare to other years?
- The 2009 model (complaint index 39) fares much better than years like 2005 (78), 2015 (94), and 2024 (100), all rated Avoid.