CarComplaints.com Notes: The GMC Canyon is mechanically identical to the Chevy Colorado.

3.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,269 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 GMC Canyon electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 GMC Canyon Owner Comments

problem #8

Jan 102024

Canyon

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On all chevy / canyon models 05 thru 12 there is an issue called "passlock" which prevents the vehicle from starting, it will leave you stranded. The failure is the ignition housing with the passlock sensor, not the actual key / tumbler, the part has to be replaced. The problem / failure is so common that you can "google" 2005 thru 2012 chevy colorado gmc canyon passlock issue" and find the root and a how to fix / repair guides. I spent almost $600 at the GMC dealer, they found no error or trouble codes in either on board computer, I showed the service advisor the issue, online diagnosis and suggested the repair. This is so dam common it should be a defective part recall and all repairs and costs covered by GM / GMC

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

problem #7

Jan 182023

Canyon

  • miles
Within past year, 2022 to present vehicle will on average 4-5 times a month fail to start. Key in ignition, to accessory mode than fail to turn over. All indicator lamps on dash display. Door chime sounds. Nothing to indicate a problem. Had GMC dealership troubleshoot. They found no codes and vehicle would start fine for them (of course). New battery had been installed, starter was tested, fuel injectors cleaned. MY online research has found a similar problem with multiple year GMC vehicles beginning in 2009 thru 2014. Ignition lock cylinder issue due to pass lock sensor. Passlock sensor malfunctions thus requiring a 10 minute wait prior to restarting vehicle. A vehicle requiring 10 minute wait time is a safety issue if we needed this vehicle in an emergency. It's my understanding GMC is aware of this issue but considers it a nuisance and not a critical issue. My thoughts are its a safety issue they"re aware of but don"t care.

- Clear Brook, VA, USA

problem #6

Nov 012018

Canyon

  • 110,000 miles
The weight on the keyring and road conditions or a jarring event causes the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. The vehicle will not stay in the run position and there are no other mechanical/electrical problems with the vehicle. This began about a year ago and has progressively got worse. This is similar to the recall of GMC's Cadillac cts.

- Maitland, FL, USA

problem #5

Dec 092018

Canyon

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Truck will not start intermittently. Completely inoperable for several minutes, then will start up with absolutely nothing differently done to it. Left me and my kids stranded several times. Appears to be a passlock anti theft problem. Many, many complaints online with the exact same problem. This is unsafe for children to be subjected to!!! if anything happens to my children while stranded this complaint will be used in a lawsuit against General Motors!!! spent hundreds of dollars to fix problems to no avail. It's no longer about the money, but the general safety of the public and their children!!! recall this vehicle and make us whole!!!

- Spring Grove, PA, USA

problem #4

Oct 142018

Canyon

  • miles
There is a problem whit the passlock system. Often 3 times in the past 3 days the truck will not start. The security lock dash light flashes and the security system will not allow the tuck to start. After exactly 10 min the security system times-out and resets allowing the truck to start. This is a problem on many Chevy and GMC vehicles and has been ongoing since 1998..often I am in situations where I just cant sit and wait the 10 required minutes. Twice I was at the airport. Once I was at the hospital. I have been to the GMC dealers for their help. Yet the dealers claim not to have ever heard of such a problem. I do not believe them. There are far too many people with the same issue.but their solution is to replace the entire S1teering colom there really needs to be a fix and the manufactures must have a fix that does not require replacing parts willy-nilly in some hope of getting owners just out of the shop. Youtube has many videos of desperate owners trying to find a fix. Most require disabling the security system..please help.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #3

Apr 182018

Canyon

  • 45,000 miles
My mother has been left stranded in parking lots or drive ways many times. The engine won't start, and the security light is flashing, wait ten minutes then it will finally start. The flashing light will eventually go off then she will try to start the engine. She can now get to her destination or should be able to make it home. This is only a temporary fix and GM needs to fix this.

- Chino, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 152015

Canyon

  • 39,650 miles
1/29/2015 no crank..displayed message "service stab sys traction fault" had it towed to dealer and they replaced ECU repair cost was going to be more than$500 until I contacted GM customer service it was then reduced to $100. Mileage was 33478. This was three months ago. And the no crank problem continued however turned key back to off for a few seconds then vehicle would.. today had this problem but when it started engine misfire and engine light came on along with the message "service stab sys traction fault reduced power". was able to limp home at 25 mph once there shut engine of then restarted seemed to be running ok then but the check engine light is now on. I have to take it to the dealer in the morning if it will start. I also contacted GM customer service again. Mileage now is 39650

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #1

Feb 032012

Canyon

  • 1,500 miles
Brake lights and cruise control fail to function vehicle was return to the dealer for service and the fuse box was replaced 2 years and 40,000 miles same issue and after many return visits to the dealer fuse box was replaced again.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

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