- The problem
- General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.
- The risk
- If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Vehicle safety record
2012 GMC Canyon Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2012 GMC Canyon with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (10) and the body, doors & structure (4). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in December 2012 for the latch. For comparison, the 2011 has 23.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Canyon year, for its age
#154 most complained-about 2012 vehicle
- Complaints
- 29
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2012 GMC Canyon problems
Share of all 29 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2012 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
- General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles, manufactured from september 9, 2011, through october 19, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection." These vehicles may have been produced with driver safety belt buckle electrical connector terminals that do not fit snugly with the connector pins, causing the connection to be intermittent.
- The risk
- The loose connections may cause the driver to not receive a visual or audible warning that the driver seat belt is not fastened, thereby increasing the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.
- The fix
- Gm will notify owners and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle electrical connector terminals free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 7, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
What owners say
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
29 complaints about the 2012 GMC Canyon
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
Seatbelt light for the front driver continues to turn on even when buckled in and will ding to notify that it's not buckled despite it buckled in. This is a safety issue as the airbag light also remains on because of it.
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Canyon. The contact noticed that there was wiring appearing from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear sub frame was rusted and cracked. Additionally, the parking brake cable was hanging from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,908. The VIN was not available.
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...
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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
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...
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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.
The Passcode Anti-theft system randomly triggers when attempting to start the vehicle. When it triggers, the vehicle cannot be started for at least 10 minutes. I have had this system trigger multiple times at home, at the grocery store, and at a gas station. I am afraid that the device will eventually leave me stranded, so I am having the device replace for the cost of over $700.
BRAKES: I purchased vehicle September 25, 2012. This problem has occurred since I purchased the vehicle. It does not happen all the time. The problem is the brakes lockup and the steering wheel shudders and the vehicle pulls to the right. The vehicle makes a griding noise. It will NOT stop immediately when you put on the brakes. The brake pedal jumps up and down and makes a grinding noise. The vehicle pulls to the right and jumps up and down. In answer to the next question: This problem has happened since I purchased the vehicle.
Dash cracks everywhere, all attachment points are cracking. No apparent reason other than using a un u.V protected plastic.
Clicking noise in the steering wheel when turning left or right. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc canyon. The contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel, there was a ticking sound heard. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to barton chevrolet cadillac (800 auto park pl, newburgh, ny 12550), to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clicking sound noise was coming from a multiplication switch from the steering and that the steering needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the replacement part was ordered from the...
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dealer, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,966.
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.
The dash has cracked above the instrument panel and by the air bag. Unsure when it accorded. Noticed it was making a sound and in 2 weeks has gotten much worse
While driving on I 71 at 70 mph in a pouring rain my wipers stopped working almost causing me to wreck
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!!!
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...
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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.
Crack in passenger side of dashboard....Vehicle was statioary
The weld to the frame for the lower control arm and torsion bar broke causing a loss of control while driving on highway. Weld appeared defective. 60, 000 Miles on vehicle.
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.
My dash is cracking for no apparent reason. It's to a point now of needing replaced and has raised my safety concern for myself and passenger if I was to come involved in a crash by broken large plastic fragments.
When the vehicle is at 50 60 or any speed - the tachometer jumps and the car surges feels like it going to stop
Dash board has cracked around airbag. Concerned that if there was a collision that tye airbag would explode and entire dash would explode with it
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc canyon. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the hub bearing needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but the manufacturer could not cover the repairs due to the vehicle being over 100,000 miles. The failure millage was 161,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc canyon. While driving 35 mph, an abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the manifold was fractured and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage and vin were unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc canyon. The vehicle was equipped with goodyear wrangler at/s tires, size lt265/70r17. While driving approximately 45 mph, the low tire warning indicator illuminated. Immediately afterwards, the rear passenger side tire went flat. The contact had to stop on the side of the road. The contact pulled the tire off and brought it to the tire shop where it was diagnosed that a bubble the size of a baseball was present in the center of the tread. The tire was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dot number was unknown. The approximate vehicle and tire failure mileage was 41,500.
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$500.00 Until I contacted gm customer service it was then reduced to $100.00. 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...
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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
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc canyon. While driving 70 mph, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. The contact had to pump the brake pedal each time to stop the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the master cylinder failed and needed to be replaced for the third time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000. Updated 8/19/15*cn updated 10/19/2017*cn
GMC Canyon: every year compared
All Canyon years2012 GMC Canyon vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 GMC Canyon | 29 | 2 | B | |
| 2012 Nissan Frontier | 80 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2012 Chevrolet Colorado | 43 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2012 Toyota Tacoma | 0 | 7 | B | Compare |
| 2012 Honda Ridgeline | 0 | 12 | C | Compare |
| 2012 GMC Acadia | 302 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 2012 GMC Savana Passenger 1500 | 3 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2012 GMC Savana Cargo G13405 | 3 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2012 GMC Savana Cargo G23405 | 3 | 0 | B | 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 2012 GMC Canyon
Does the 2012 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 GMC Canyon: latch (December 2012); front (November 2011). 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 2012 GMC Canyon?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (10), body, doors & structure (4), airbags (4).
How many complaints has the 2012 GMC Canyon had?
29 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 7, 2012 and the latest on September 20, 2025. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 2012 GMC Canyon a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 70 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 2012 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