NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 GMC Canyon Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 GMC Canyon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 38 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 2008 GMC Canyon, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2008 GMC Canyon owner complaints

Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 GMC Canyon, describing incidents dated July 3, 2008 to January 1, 2024.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 15 complaints
Engine 14 complaints
Service Brakes 8 complaints
Unknown or Other 5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 5 complaints
Exterior Lighting 4 complaints

Of the 38 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11744895 · Filed June 17, 2026
When sitting at idle, the engine miss & spark knock at times. When start driving down the road the throttle seems hard to Press & takes a little time to reach up to road speed. The truck does not get good gas mileage at all. I had the spark plugs & wires changed still don't help.
ODI #11537841 · Filed August 11, 2023
Carrier Bearing ( Hanger Bearing) broken off mounts. Bearing is mounted via spot welds. The spot weld were not done properly. Was driving at about 30 MPH slowing down when the bearing broke loose from the mounts. The caused the drive shaft to swing about hitting the floor boards. Breaking the…
ODI #11387619 · Filed January 11, 2021
BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AT THE BRAKE PEDAL STICKING AND OUR BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON. WE NOTICE IT MOSTLY AFTER WE HAVE PARKED THE TRUCK AND TURN IT OFF. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ILLUMINATED, NOT ALWAYS RIGHT AWAY. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ILLUMINATED HAVE CAUSED OUR…

Read all 38 complaints

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, 2007 – June 30, 2008 (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> .

2008 GMC Canyon Regular Cab

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

18% rollover risk

Safety Technology

2008 GMC Canyon 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

18% rollover risk

Safety Technology

2008 GMC Canyon Extended Cab

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

18% rollover risk

Safety Technology

38 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 GMC Canyon.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11744895

Incident: January 1, 2024 · Filed: June 17, 2026

When sitting at idle, the engine miss & spark knock at times. When start driving down the road the throttle seems hard to Press & takes a little time to reach up to road speed. The truck does not get good gas mileage at all. I had the spark plugs & wires changed still don't help.

Power Train

ODI #11537841

Incident: April 27, 2023 · Filed: August 11, 2023

Carrier Bearing ( Hanger Bearing) broken off mounts. Bearing is mounted via spot welds. The spot weld were not done properly. Was driving at about 30 MPH slowing down when the bearing broke loose from the mounts. The caused the drive shaft to swing about hitting the floor boards. Breaking the universal joint and drive shaft came apart. There was less that 300 miles on the bearing. The truck typical hauls one bicycle. The truck was not used in any commercial function. I'm retired and like to ride my bicycle. I was very lucky in the that I was slowing down for a light. The road I was one is 55MPH. If the drive shat had hit the ground at that speed I'm certain there would have been a very serious accident involving many vehilces.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Service Brakes

ODI #11387619

Incident: November 5, 2019 · Filed: January 11, 2021

BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AT THE BRAKE PEDAL STICKING AND OUR BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON. WE NOTICE IT MOSTLY AFTER WE HAVE PARKED THE TRUCK AND TURN IT OFF. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ILLUMINATED, NOT ALWAYS RIGHT AWAY. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ILLUMINATED HAVE CAUSED OUR VEHICLE TO HAVE A DEAD BATTERY MANY TIMES. THIS ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO STAY ON HAS ACTUALLY CAUSED US TO HAVE TO BUY 2 BRAND NEW BATTERIES IN JUST OVER A 12 MONTH PERIOD. THIS ISSUE HAS KILLED OUR BATTERY AND LEFT US STRANDED FOR HOURS WHILE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME HELP US JUMP THE BATTERY. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR THIS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ISSUE, BUT THIS SPECIFIC YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. EVEN THO THIS TRUCK IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THE THE RECALL IS FOR. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.

Structure

ODI #11282002

Incident: November 20, 2019 · Filed: November 24, 2019

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER'S GARAGE FOR ROUTINE BRAKE WORK. HE SHOWED ME A CRACK IN THE FRAME ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH EXCLUDING AN INCH. HE FOUND IT WHEN HE TRIED LIFTING THE VEHICLE TO DO THE BRAKES. IT IS BEHIND THE CAB, IN FRONT OF THE BED OF THE TRUCK. ONLY ONE SIDE WAS HOLDING MY TRUCK TOGETHER.

Structure

ODI #11281335

Incident: November 20, 2019 · Filed: November 20, 2019

REPAIR SHOP LIFTED VEHICLE TO REPAIR FRONT BRAKES AND THE FRAME BROKE JUST BEHIND THE CAB.

Engine

ODI #11234803

Incident: May 1, 2019 · Filed: July 25, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. ALSO, THE DECREASING POWER MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT CALLED BISHOP GMC CADILLAC (400 MACKINAW AVE, CHEBOYGAN, MI 49721, (231) 627-5669) TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Structure

ODI #11078690

Incident: March 8, 2018 · Filed: March 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. WHILE UNDERGOING BRAKE SERVICE AT TRADITION CHEVROLET BUICK (847 RTE 5, GENEVA, NY 14456, (315) 789-6811), THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR OF THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE FRAME BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000.

Electrical System

ODI #11047473

Fire

Incident: October 16, 2017 · Filed: November 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON SPEED 2 AS SMOKE AND PLASTIC PARTICLES EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE SWITCHING TO SPEED 1, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THERE WAS ALSO NO RESPONSE FOR SPEED 3. THE AIR CONDITIONER FUNCTIONED AT SPEED 4, BUT WAS LATER TURNED OFF DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND RESISTER WERE COMPLETELY MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE RESISTER, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER SPEEDS 1 - 4 PROPERLY FUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE PARTS WOULD PREMATURELY FAIL AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; HOWEVER; THE CONTACT SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THERE WAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THIS FAILURE, BUT NOT FOR THIS SPECIFIC YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *TR

Engine

ODI #11045000

Incident: February 3, 2017 · Filed: November 9, 2017

"FAN BELT PULLEY" I STARTED MY TRUCK AND WAS LEAVING WORK DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE FAN BELT BROKE. I HAD POWER BUT NO ACCELERATION TO THE TRUCK. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A FULL STOP IN THE PARKING LOT. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHERE I NOTICED THE FAN BELT WAS BROKE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY ACCREDITED MECHANIC WHICH HE SAID THAT THE SHAFT THAT HOLDS THE PULLEY WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF INSIDE THE ENGINE. COST TO ME $600.00

Electrical System; Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #11044998

Incident: April 5, 2017 · Filed: November 9, 2017

"BRAKE PADS/SHOES" I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND SHOES DUE TO THE BINDING, SEQUELING NOISE THEY WERE MAKING. AS A RESULT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS DUE TO THE DAMAGE. WHEN I FIRST START THE TRUCK AND SLOWLY LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY, I COULD FEEL THE BINDING AND HEAR THE SEQUELING. AFTER DRIVING 20 MINUTES THIS ALL GOES AWAY. REPAIRS $500.00 WHICH IT DRIVES 100 PERCENT BETTER!

Other GMC Canyon model years

Check your 2008 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.

Check a GMC VIN