Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 GMC Canyon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Can no longer roll down the drivers or passangers windows. No longer have any control of the power locks from either door control or remote. Blower for air only works on high setting 1 2 and 3 work intermittently. The brakes will start to sound like they are pulsating and then the ABS fault comes on the dash and the brake light lights up.
The brake lines and the entire frame is rusted out. There are big wholes in the frame. The garage wouldn't even put it on the lift, because it was so bad. Have replaced breaks and still the truck has break issues
2005 GMC Canyon, 4wd. Brakes lock up after sitting for a short period of time or when wet. ABS does activate, hear the noise, rear brakes lock. Went to some of the forums for these vehicles, find out it is common. Took vehicle back to dealer (bought it used as certified GM) as the parking brake stuck only a week after I had the vehicle. They replaced the cable, told me I was set. I took the truck home, brakes were very "touchy" brought it back to the dealer a few weeks later (thought maybe it was me) and they charged me $100.00 and said they adjusted the rear brakes, not under the warranty. I called them and had a blow out argument with the service manager to no avail as the brakes were still touchy. I have been living with them until today, when in the rain I had to make a panic stop on the highway. …
ABS failure. 3 months after mfg warranty expired the ABS failure light came on. ABS system activates randomly even when not braking, buzzed, ABS and brake lights on, then ABS failure displayed. Stayed on until it randomly turned off by itself. Daily repeating of problem. Codes said ABS sensor failure. Had it replaced, no resolution. Problem kept happening. Had entire front hub assembly replaced with new ABS sensor installed at factory, still same problem. Had wiring checked, all OK. Persistent problem for years. Gave up on GM ever fixing it. Apparently on GM Canyon/colorado forums this is a major persistent dangerous problem. Most users opt to disable the ABS system because GM cannot provide a solution. Sounds like another of GM's brilliant engineers design failures. Shocked no one has been killed yet. …
First: hearing impaired driver...premature rear brake lining failure leading to major damage to drums and hydraulic system...second time in less than 53,000 miles on vehicle..resulting in repairs totaling approximately. $2276.00...this premature failure of system resulted from moderate vehicle usage and driving habits, non-abuse of vehicle...a normal driven vehicle life of rear brake linings and associated systems should last 60,000 plus miles on this model 2005 GMC Canyon pick-up. The repairing facility could offer no reason or visible reason of this type of failure...the foremost reason that comes to mind is emergency brake being depress and or "riding" the brakes but both of these have been eliminated...so cause is unknown..the first failure occurred on or about 08/22/05, mileage 23,403 and the second occurred on or about 07/17/06, mileage approximately 53,000 miles...
ABS sensor fault appears and continues to stay on. When light turns off terrible noise and vibration occurs when braking. I am concerned for the safety of my 3 year old and myself as the brakes do no react as they should. I have taken it and had the brakes replaced, the sensors replaced and the problem continues. After 3 different times in the shop, I am so worried that I am going to cause an accident with my truck. I have searched and there are hundreds of complaints with the same problem on http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/webx?[email]@.f1fb9ba/33#msg33 please copy this link and check out all of the complaints about the same problem. Someone is going to get really hurt if this is not taken care of.
Rear brake shoes bad at 45,000. Replaced drums and shoes. New drums warped after 2 months and 2,000 miles. Replaced drums and shoes again, squeaks very loud, drums bad again. Replaced drums with GMC drums, brakes bad again after 1 month. Took to an independent mechanic after dealer would not fix issue. Independant replaced left rear hydraulic and new shoes. Stated the emergency brake must be defective. Brakes are now squeaking again after 1 month. Also slight locking up when backing up after rain, cold, moist weather.
Tl contact owns a 2005 GMC Canyon. While driving approximately 10 MPH pressure was applied to the brake pedal and the pedal began to severely pulsate. It took an increased distance in order to stop the vehicle. An ABS fault light illuminated on the dashboard. The failure has since recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure and was not repaired. The failure mileage was 24,994 and the current mileage was 25,010. Updated 11/22/10 updated 11/23/10
Brake complaints in other Canyon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 GMC Canyon?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 GMC Canyon, 19% of the model year's 113 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › drum › shoes/linings (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 GMC Canyon brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 GMC Canyon, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Canyon brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.