NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 GMC Canyon Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2005 GMC Canyon has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 113 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized GMC dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 GMC Canyon, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2005 GMC Canyon owner complaints

Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 GMC Canyon, describing incidents dated January 20, 2005 to July 12, 2023.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 23 complaints
Service Brakes 20 complaints
Engine 16 complaints
Structure 13 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 12 complaints
Exterior Lighting 11 complaints

Of the 113 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 113 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11531923 · Filed July 12, 2023
Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a…
ODI #11446828 · Filed January 9, 2022
The frames on many of these trucks are unsafe to be on the road due to rusted leaf spring mounts and frame rails that are rotting away and unable to lift on a hoist. Luckily I came across a video warning me to watch out for a rusted frame or else I could have lost control while driving. Yes, I work…
ODI #11331142 · Filed June 26, 2020
NEARLY TOTAL FRAME FAILURE DUE TO POOR STEEL AND EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION OF ENTIRE FRAME. WITH THIS MODEL YEAR OF GMC AND CHEVROLET TRUCKS, THERE ARE A LOT OF REPORTS OF FRAME FAILURES. MY PARTICULAR TRUCK IS SO BADLY RUSTED THAT THE CAB AND BODY COULD POSSIBLY SEPARATE DUE TO FRAME FAILURE. THIS…

Read all 113 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 GMC Canyon in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ09-001: BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION
Closed July 30, 2009
- Recall 09V-310
Preliminary Evaluation PE05-065: BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
Closed May 1, 2006
- Recall 06V-139

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS FMVSS 225

NHTSA #10V575000 · Child Seat · NHTSA notice

Reported November 18, 2010 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 192,676 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 10367 · Owners notified December 14, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM SAFETY RECALL NO. 10367 AND/OR 10407.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION

NHTSA #09V310000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported July 29, 2009 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 185,903 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 09049 · Owners notified August 2, 2010 · Vehicles built June 1, 2004 – June 30, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 09049.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION LOSS

NHTSA #06V139000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported April 27, 2006 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 404,733 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 06030 · Owners notified December 5, 2006 · Vehicles built April 1, 2004 – June 30, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 06030.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 GMC Canyon 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

18% rollover risk

Safety Technology

2 investigations

2005 GMC Canyon 2-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

18% rollover risk

Safety Technology

2 investigations

113 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 GMC Canyon.

Suspension; Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #11531923

Incident: July 12, 2023 · Filed: July 12, 2023

Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a lot of rusting and holes due to the excessive rusting.

Structure

ODI #11446828

Incident: January 4, 2022 · Filed: January 9, 2022

The frames on many of these trucks are unsafe to be on the road due to rusted leaf spring mounts and frame rails that are rotting away and unable to lift on a hoist. Luckily I came across a video warning me to watch out for a rusted frame or else I could have lost control while driving. Yes, I work at a gm dealership and see this issue often, they are very similar to the Toyota trucks that had rusted frames replaced under recall. No it has not been inspected but they're is no way that it would pass an annual inspection, therefore the truck is rendered useless. There were no warnings that the frame was almost rotted in half. Very dangerous situation.

Structure

ODI #11331142

Incident: June 19, 2020 · Filed: June 26, 2020

NEARLY TOTAL FRAME FAILURE DUE TO POOR STEEL AND EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION OF ENTIRE FRAME. WITH THIS MODEL YEAR OF GMC AND CHEVROLET TRUCKS, THERE ARE A LOT OF REPORTS OF FRAME FAILURES. MY PARTICULAR TRUCK IS SO BADLY RUSTED THAT THE CAB AND BODY COULD POSSIBLY SEPARATE DUE TO FRAME FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN MUCH DURING THE WINTERS AND HAS BEEN GARAGED MOST OF ITS LIFE. THESE FRAMES SHOULDN'T BE THIS BAD ON A 15 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

Exterior Lighting; Structure

ODI #11329295

Incident: June 17, 2020 · Filed: June 17, 2020

ON 6/17/20 AS I WAS TRAVELING UNDER THE ALABASTER, ALABAMA OVER PASS ON HIGHWAY 65 NORTH AN ORANGE CONSTRUCTION BARREL WAS BLOWN INTO THE ROAD BY A TRUCK A HEAD OF ME. I SWERVED IN THE ATTEMPT TO MISS IT. THE BARREL CLIPPED THE PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER AND TORE OUT MY FOG LAMP. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WOULD LIKE MY FOG LAMP REPLACED AND BARRELS NOT IN USE PICKED UP OFF OF THE HIGHWAYS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR

Structure

ODI #11321285

Incident: April 14, 2020 · Filed: April 16, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING THE OIL AT THE RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE VEHICLE ON THE LIFT, THE FRAME STARTED TO COLLAPSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 13,000.

Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #11320590

Incident: March 5, 2020 · Filed: April 8, 2020

INSTALLED NEW BRAKE LIGHTS DID YOU BRAKE SWITCH UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL SHOWING SIGNS OF NO BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE I'LL BRAKE BALLS HAVE BEEN REPLACE. *TR

Structure

ODI #11266787

Incident: September 21, 2019 · Filed: October 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11245254

Incident: June 14, 2019 · Filed: August 20, 2019

THE WHOLE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE WENT THRU THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. AFTER LOOKING AT HOW TO REPLACE THIS NOTICED PRETTY MUCH THE WHOLE THING IS RUSTED OUT AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO MAKE IT SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE TRUCK FOR SAFETY REASONS

Unknown or Other

ODI #11194229

Incident: April 5, 2019 · Filed: April 5, 2019

OWNED THE VEHICLE FROM NEW, FRAME STARTED RUSTING AT EVERY WELDMENT FROM DAY ONE. TRIED TO TREAT THE FRAME YEARLY WITH DOOR GREASE TO STOP CORROSION. NO SUCCESS, NOW FRAME IS ROTTED AND IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11183214

Incident: February 23, 2019 · Filed: February 28, 2019

FRAME CRACKED IN FRONT OF REAR SPRING SHACKLES ON BOTH SIDES. HEARD NOISE BED RUBBING AGAINST CAB. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THE NOISE. FOUND BROKEN FRAME WHEN I GOT HOME.

Other GMC Canyon model years

Check your 2005 GMC Canyon VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your GMC Canyon at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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