- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2008 GMC Canyon Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2008 GMC Canyon with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (16) and the engine & cooling (14). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 fire. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in November 2010 for the child seat. For comparison, the 2007 has 45 and the 2009 has 29.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Canyon year, for its age
#183 most complained-about 2008 vehicle
- Complaints
- 42
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2008 GMC Canyon problems
Share of all 42 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2008 GMC Canyon recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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42 complaints about the 2008 GMC Canyon
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
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.
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....
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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.
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...
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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.
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.
Repair shop lifted vehicle to repair front brakes and the frame broke just behind the cab.
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.
TAKATA RECALL NOT FIXED
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.
Dashboard has cracked above the drivers instrument display, around speaker and now has cracked around the passenger side air bag with the dashboard being loose. If the air bag is ever to deploy it will more than likely hurt my passenger which could be my wife, my children or grandchildren. This is ridiculous, thousands upon thousands of gmc vehicles has this same issue !!!!!
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...
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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
"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
"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!
"Tire pressure monitor"(tpm). The tpm is always illuminating on my dash. I check my tires plus the spare every month and nothing seems to be wrong with the inflation. I still have the factory rims, with the same tire size according to manufacturer but newer with no upgrades. No damage to rims or tires ever.
"Rear brake lights" lights were not working when I applied pressure to the brake pedal. I was going to work and a driver next to me informed me that both my brake lights are not working as I was at a red light. I was driving on a city street. The result was I replaced both rear brake bulbs after spending 2 hours of identifying the problem thinking it was more complicated. I always check all my lights each month making sure I am in compliance!
"Cruise control" went out and I cannot find out where the problem is. The fuses are excellent. While I was driving I had the cruise control on, then all of a sudden for no reason the green illumination on the dash that let's me know it's on, was off. I tried to engage the cruise control again but that did not work. The green illumination on the dash does not come on anymore even as I attempt to engage the cruise control. I was on the highway at the time this happened.
"Engine light" illuminates while driving. During the first 20 minutes of driving this light appears and stays on. Then 15 minutes later as I continue to drive with no stopping or turning off the engine, the light goes off.
1. "Theft deterrent" illuminates and truck will not start. Have to wait 10 minutes with key in the "acc" position and then it starts. Happens often at least 2 times a week. Also, while I am driving the "theft deterrent" illuminates at least 4 times a week while highway driving but luckily the truck does not stall or stop.
Takata recall. I received a letter from jeffrey m. Boyer, vp, gmc global vehicle safety, dated july 2016 regardng recall 49151. To date, my local gmc dealer advises that they have no parts from gmc to remedy my vehicle.
Takata recall - this has been in effect for over a year and still no answer has been released. Need to know what gmc is going to do to correct problem. We just purchased this vehicle on 5/26/17 and found out about the recall
Purchased vehicle new with 417 miles. From the beginning, there was a ticking noise at start-up, which gradually worsened to a loud knocking and vehicle shimmy for several seconds, sometimes requiring multiple attempts to start. Originally, it was only on cold start-up. Multiple visits to the dealer resulted in incorrect diagnoses or no diagnosis. Finally, at 18,071 miles, the problem was diagnosed as loose timing chain and worn gears. All were replaced by the dealer under warranty. Problem was significantly...
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reduced but not solved. It then began to again worsen through multiple trips to the dealership, until 43,384 miles, when it was once more diagnosed as the timing having jumped or the chains having stretched. We declined to have the dealer replace everything with us paying for it, and had our own mechanic do the work. Our mechanic believes there is some sort of timing chain defect in design or composition, which keeps causing/allowing the chains to stretch.
Passlock system this has been going on over the last three years and now getting worse and is intermittent, when I insert and turn the key something happens making the theft system activate and keeps the vehicle from starting for exactly 10 minutes. Recently I turned the truck off to save gas while I was in construction traffic at a stand still with a concrete barrier on both sides and the truck would not start and the police were going to have me towed, luckily at started at 10 minutes before the tow truck came. ...
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In my opinion this can be unsafe in emergency situations if the vehicle is needed for any type of emergency. Below I am pasting something from the web, but it is basically the problem that I and people all over the country are having. "Thousands of people are being led in circles by any vehicle with a passlock ii system and it is an unsafe problem with these cars that needs to be fixed. It prevents vehicles from restarting in potentially dangerous areas while the vehicle resets and can permanently disable the car if not addressed. The problem lies in a design oversight and cutting a material cost by putting in a cheap component that any basic chemist could tell you would go bad within a year or two. Change your ignition switch contact from nickel to gold plated connectors and oxidation will not cause faulty readings to trick your vehicles into thinking that they are being stolen and shutting off the fuel pumps. Remuneration for individuals impacted by this financial burden for the purchase of your vehicles is also a request as this problem is a gold mine for car mechanics, both gm certified and freelance, to troubleshoot numerous systems before identifying the problem proper."
Vehicle sets an "ac off" fault message frequently. When this occurs, the temperature gauge goes to zero and the ac does not work. The truck is not overheating and no other faults are set. No trouble codes are found during scan. After some time (20-50 miles of travel), the fault disappears and the temperature gauge and ac begin working again. There are literally 1,000's of messages on discussion boards about this problem on numerous websites on different gm vehicles. People have changed one, some, or all components...
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of their cooling system to no avail. The problem sometimes goes away for a few hours or a few months, but always seems to return. I had my vehicle to the gm dealership in may 2016 and the condition was unable to be duplicated at that time. I paid the dealership to do a complete servicing and inspection of the entire vehicle, which included the cooling system. No anomalies were found by the dealership. Since the problem continued, I replaced the coolant temperature sensor hoping it was a just a bad sensor/connector problem. This has not changed the condition in any way. My concern is that this is possibly an issue related to the actual placement of the temperature sensor. I'll explain with the following scenario: once the engine comes up to operating temp, the thermostat opens, and when the coolant begins to circulate, the temp sensor is left exposed, the temp gauge tanks, and the system kicks into a safe mode. While this is a great system safe response, I am prevented me from seeing a real overheat condition. I personally live and work in the mojave desert. In an environment where temperatures are commonly above 100 deg f, a properly operating vehicle cooling system can mean the difference between life and death. I can't be entirely sure if my coolant system really has a problem or is just giving false indications at this point.
The pass lock system is faulty...Unreliable and dangerous many times I get stranded because the vehicle won't start due to the theft deterrent system is activated for no apparent reason
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc canyon. When shifting into drive or reverse, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The defect was a recurring issue. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it not was diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 03/11/16*lj *tr
[[redacted]] [[redacted]] wichita kansas 67203 retired [[redacted]]@yahoo.Com [[redacted]] highway message: anything on general motors use of the pass2 security system, it randomly will not "read the key", at which point you must wait 15 min. To try again. Have talked to 2 other people with the same issue in the last month in my area. Talked with my local dealer and all they would offer is to replace the ignition switch, at my expense of course. Dealer stated that they were aware (gm) of it as they are...
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now on security system pass4. This could become a safety issue if the vehicle would not start and was in a suddenly hazardous area. Dealer offered to assess my vehicle, problem it may not happen again for another month or more, although it happened to me on the 9th of november 2015 and again on the 11th. Can't really afford to be without my vehicle for that long. My vehicle is a 2008 gmc canyon. The vehicle was stationary, it has happened a total of 6 times. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *Jb
GMC Canyon: every year compared
All Canyon years2008 GMC Canyon vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 GMC Canyon | 42 | 2 | B | |
| 2008 Chevrolet Colorado | 81 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2008 Ford Ranger | 0 | 6 | B | Compare |
| 2008 Nissan Frontier | 0 | 6 | A | Compare |
| 2008 Honda Ridgeline | 0 | 10 | C | Compare |
| 2008 Toyota Tacoma | 0 | 11 | C | Compare |
| 2008 GMC Acadia | 858 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 2008 GMC Envoy | 77 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2008 GMC Savana Cargo 1500 | 5 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2008 GMC Canyon
Does the 2008 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 GMC Canyon: child seat (November 2010); switch (July 2009). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 GMC Canyon?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (16), engine & cooling (14), brakes (8).
How many complaints has the 2008 GMC Canyon had?
42 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 11, 2009 and the latest on June 17, 2026. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2008 GMC Canyon a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 62 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical GMC Canyon year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which GMC Canyon years have the most complaints?
2015 (322), 2016 (273), 2024 (208). See every GMC Canyon year compared.
What should I do if my 2008 GMC Canyon has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data