VehicleVerdict

2004 GMC Canyon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 103 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Canyon year — the 2004 model ranks #5 of 21 Canyon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (16), electrical system (14), and suspension (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

103

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Canyon years?

See all Canyon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 GMC Canyon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1616%
Electrical System1414%
Suspension1313%
Engine88%
Lighting88%
Tires & Wheels88%
Other77%
Brakes77%
Airbags55%
Transmission44%
Latches & Locks44%
Fuel System33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Seats22%
Speed Control11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2004 GMC Canyon have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V575000Child SeatNovember 18, 2010 · 192,676 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

09V310000LightingJuly 29, 2009 · 185,903 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

06V139000LightingApril 27, 2006 · 404,733 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WENT TO WORK THIS MORNING AND MY 2004 GMC CANYON TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE, ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER I RAN AN ERRAND, STILL NO ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK. AROUND 2:00PM I WENT TO RUN ANOTHER ERRAND AND SMELT SOMETHING LIKE BURNING PLASTIC, I OPENED MY TRUCK TO FIND THAT MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 20, 2013 · fire

CLIMATE CONTROL FAN ONLY WORKS IN POSITION 4. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A RESISTOR ON CIRCUIT BOARD. THEY SWAPPED IT OUT. LESS THAN SIX MONTHS LATER SAME THING. TOOK IT IN AND DIDN'T HAVE THEM REPLACE IT. THEY DID HOWEVER DISCONNECT CONNECTOR TO MOTOR, IT WAS BURNT AND SLIGHTLY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 1, 2007 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC CANYON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 2, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING PARKED WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHEN IT ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND ADVISED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 14, 2010 · fire

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED IN JUNE 2006. REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED IN SEPTEMBER 2006. FOUND NHTSA ID 06V139000 AND SHOWED TO DEALER SERVICE. HOWEVER, THEY AND GMC INDICATE THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VIN. HAD TO PAY $149.36 TO REPAIR AND MISSED WORK BECAUSE IT TOOK ALL DAY TO GET PART AND INSTALL. GMC…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 19, 2006

2004 GMC Canyon — common questions

Is the 2004 GMC Canyon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 103 complaints put the 2004 model at #5 of 21 Canyon years. It is one of the Canyon years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Canyon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (16 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints), suspension (13 complaints).

Does the 2004 GMC Canyon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 GMC Canyon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 GMC Canyon under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Canyon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Canyon years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2024, 2005, 2004, 2023. The cleanest record among Canyon years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.