Most common 2005 GMC Canyon problems
Share of the 113 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Canyon complaints by model year
Best Canyon years: 2011, 2012, 2019. Years to avoid: 2024, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2017. Compare all years →
2005 GMC Canyon recalls (3)
Child seat
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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,…
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2005 GMC Canyon:
Brake lamp switch malfunction
On July 28,2009, GM initiated a regional recall campaign on certain model year (my) 2004-2009 Chevrolet colorado and GMC canyon vehicles and my2006-2008 Isuzu I-series vehicles.the states and U.S. Territories involved are al, az, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, nv, nm, pr, sc, tx, vi and ut.a total of 185,903 vehicles will be recalled with 92,272 vehicles within the scope of this investigation.in addition, a special…
Brake lamp switch failure
By letter dated April 26, 2006, GM notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 06V139) involving certain model year (my) 2004-06 Chevrolet colorado, GMC canyon and 2006 my Isuzu i280/i350 vehicles.GM's recall covers 404,733 vehicles.GM reports that loss of brake lamp illumination was caused by insufficient plating on the stationary contact in the brake lamp switch.GM will replace the…
What 2005 GMC Canyon owners say
Electrical system all 23 →
I got a safety bulletin from GMC #14609 stating that there is a problem with my air bag light,. It can go on due to wires in the rear door breaking, the air bag can go off also. This is a safety issue with the air bags, I have the problem with the air bag light on. They said they would fix it or reimburse me if I paid in the past to have it fixed. Well they said I was off of warranty 1-15 . This is a safety issue, the dealer will not fix it for free. Why did they send me this bulletin with my VIN number attached? I have had nothing but problems with this GMC truck, you name it it has had a problem. Mostly electrical system failure. The air bag issue should be fixed by GMC free of charge which they state in the letter, there telling me I am a few months past the 10 year dead line. …
I replaced the fuel filter on my 2005 GMC Canyon as part of regular maintenance. In order to perform the fuel filter replacement I disconnected the negative terminal of the battery. After maintenance, the battery was hooked up. Vehicle now exhibits the following symptoms. 1) drivers side window inoperable. 2) power door locks inoperable from divers side master switch. 3) vehicle does not automatically lock doors when shifted from p to r or d. 4) keyless entry inoperable. This is not the first time this condition has presented itself after unhooking the battery. Possible safety concern over inoperable window and door locks. This problem has been well documented on internet forums with no clear solution. …
Brakes all 21 →
Hit 3 deer in high speed collision. My air bags didn't function. Then research online showed I have tikata airbags. Then I noticed my brakes if wet or have ice on rotors, when braking, I get terrible squeaking noise and front end will shimmy or vibrate. Rear brakes too. And my power steering started making noise, like a rubbing sound a few months after I bought truck, though no fluid loss or stiffness in steering. I know these air bags are dangerous, metal parts have killed a few people. Why wasn't I notified by automaker about what airbags were installed in my truck!? I need fixed. I do a lot of mountain driving. I would like them to work properly. And these strange noises really bug me. I can't be breaking down deep into mountain roads when I work or travel. Much highway traveling too. The cruise control has never worked, since two weeks after buying truck. …
When baking up the ABS fault code came on was going 5 MPH or less. Turned the truck off and the code went away. It has done this a total of three times all while backing the truck up at a very low speed, other issues I am having the air conditioning will only work on high and sometimes the other speeds will work. The rear passenger window will not roll down. I am the original owner of this truck and have never received any recalls on any of these items and the braking system is a safety concern.
Engine & cooling
My truck is exhibiting an issue in which the GM passlock system disables the fuel and engine because of some malfunction. This system is intended to disable the fuel system on a vehicle if it detects that the ignition has been tampered with or in improper key has been used to try and start the vehicle. My issue is that intermittently when I try to start my truck with the factory key, the passlock system engages and does not allow me to start my truck. I have to wait 10 minutes in order for the passlock system light to turn off on the dashboard. Sometimes my truck will start after this 10 minute lockout period. It has happened before where my truck will fail to start after the first lockout period and I have to wait another 10 minutes. Once the passlock system allows me to start the engine, my truck runs fine with no issues. In my opinion, this is a serious safety concern. …
I got a safety bulletin from GMC #14609 stating that there is a problem with my air bag light,. It can go on due to wires in the rear door breaking, the air bag can go off also. This is a safety issue with the air bags, I have the problem with the air bag light on. They said they would fix it or reimburse me if I paid in the past to have it fixed. Well they said I was off of warranty 1-15 . This is a safety issue, the dealer will not fix it for free. Why did they send me this bulletin with my VIN number attached? I have had nothing but problems with this GMC truck, you name it it has had a problem. Mostly electrical system failure. The air bag issue should be fixed by GMC free of charge which they state in the letter, there telling me I am a few months past the 10 year dead line. …
2005 GMC Canyon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 24 / 21 |
| 3.5L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.5L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
| 3.5L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.5L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 GMC Canyon a good car?
Based on 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Canyon rates avoid: 2.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Canyon at the same age. It is one of the Canyon years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 GMC Canyon?
The electrical system — 23 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the brakes (21) and engine & cooling (16).
How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Canyon have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2005 GMC Canyon, the most recent from November 18, 2010 (child seat). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Canyon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2012 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2015, 2016, 2023 and 2017. See the full GMC Canyon years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Canyon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.