2011 GMC Canyon Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
8/100
#13 most-complained of 14 Canyon years
The 2011 GMC Canyon ranks 13th worst out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 8 and only 12 complaints logged. It carries 5 recalls but no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported, making it one of the better years for this model.
- Complaints
- 12
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2011 GMC Canyon problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System5 (42%)
- Brakes4 (33%)
- Engine4 (33%)
- Airbags3 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (17%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Structure & Body1 (8%)
What owners report
- Brake lights fail intermittently, sometimes tied to a lighting recall, and can go unnoticed until a warning shows up.
- The vehicle stalls without warning while driving at various speeds, with dealers tracing it to the ignition switch at 57,500 miles.
- The airbag warning light turns on and off randomly, especially at startup, without a clear diagnosis.
- The truck sometimes will not start and requires waiting roughly 10 to 20 minutes before it starts again.
- Premature bumper and frame deterioration appeared on the front passenger side and spread to the driver's side, reaching 77,089 miles before it was flagged.
- The automatic transmission adjustment clip covered by a 2011 recall was reported as not fully resolving intermittent no-start issues.
2011 GMC Canyon recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V594000Dec 19, 2012Structure & Body118,800 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
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, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.
Risk: If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
- NHTSA 11V337000Jun 28, 2011Transmission & Powertrain6,768 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 or 3.7 liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles may have been built with an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position. If the shift cable is not in the correct position, the prndl shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. The driver could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park."
Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy: Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
- NHTSA 11V276000May 6, 2011Visibility & Wipers4,674 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles manufactured from september 22, 2010, through november 5, 2010. Some of these vehicles have the condition in which the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not be tightened to specification. When the wipers are operated with a build-up of snow or ice, or if the wipers are operated on a dry windshield, the nut could loosen. If there is sufficient loosening of the nut, the wipers could become inoperative.
Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the wiper motor crank arm nut free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before may 11, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 or www.gmownercenter.com.
2011 GMC Canyon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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.
2011 compared with other Canyon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 GMC Canyon reliable?
- NHTSA data shows only 12 complaints for the 2011 Canyon and a complaint index of 8, the second-lowest among the 14 model years covered, with no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Canyon?
- Electrical System issues make up 42% of complaints, followed by Brakes and Engine at 33% each, and Airbags at 25%, according to NHTSA owner complaints.
- Does the 2011 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2011 Canyon covering structure/body hood latches, transmission adjustment clips, wiper motor cranks, rear axle cross pins, and tether anchor access, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 GMC Canyon compare to other years?
- The 2011 model ranks 13th worst out of 14 years with a 'Best' verdict, far better than years like 2015 and 2024, which have complaint indexes of 92 and 100 respectively.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 GMC Canyon?
- EPA rates the 2011 GMC Canyon at 19 mpg combined (17 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.