VehicleVerdict

2009 GMC Canyon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 GMC Canyon sits mid-pack among Canyon years: 35 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 61, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 9 reports (26% of the total).

35

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Canyon years?

See all Canyon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 GMC Canyon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System926%
Fuel System617%
Transmission514%
Brakes411%
Engine39%
Airbags39%
Lighting26%
Speed Control26%
Body & Structure13%

Does the 2009 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.

09V154000Fuel SystemMay 6, 2009 · 27,188 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WE WERE AT FAMILY GATHERING WHEN A NEIGHBOR CALLED AND SAID THE BLACK TRUCK IS ON FIRE. I RUSHED OUT THE DOOR TO INVESTIGATE AND THERE WAS A FIRE INSIDE THE CAB ON DRIVERS SIDE IN REAR SECTION. I STARTED SPRAYING IT WITH A WATER HOSE AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 20, 2014 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL CONTROL MODULAR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V154000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 20, 2009

I SENT IN THIS COMPLAINT A YEAR AGO AND NEVER HEARD BACK FROM YOU. THROTTLE STICKS ON MY CANYON AND IT APPEARS TO BE COMPUTER RELATED. IT CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER TAKING MY FOOT "OFF THE GAS." IT WILL REV DOWN AFTER HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS BEFORE? TRUCK IS STANDARD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 13, 2011

WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL YOU STEP ON GAS PEDAL AT SAME TIME, NO PROPER SPACE BETWEEN THE TWO PEDALS. INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE KEEPS GOING. SEEMS UNSAFE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 26, 2014

IT TIMES IT WONT START HAVE TO WAIT 15-20 MIN TO START WHILE PARKED I ALSO HAD A 2004 COLORADO THAT DID THE SAME THING .NOW FOR THE SAFETY END .IF YOUR IN THE COUNTRY AN YOU OR SOMEONE IS HAVEING A MEDICAL ISSUE AN IT WONT START THEIR IS A POSSIBLE LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION THAT PERSON HAS A GREATER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 5, 2013

2009 GMC Canyon — common questions

Is the 2009 GMC Canyon reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 35 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Canyon year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Canyon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (9 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints), transmission (5 complaints).

Does the 2009 GMC Canyon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 GMC Canyon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.