Most common 2011 GMC Canyon problems
Share of the 12 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 →
2011 GMC Canyon recalls (5)
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
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.
Remedy: 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Chevrolet colorado and GMC canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 or 3.7 liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter…
Remedy: GM dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about July 19, 2011.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Chevrolet colorado and GMC canyon vehicles manufactured from September 22, 2010, through November 5, 2010. Some of these vehicles have the condition in which the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut May not be tightened to specification.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the wiper motor crank arm nut free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before May 11, 2011.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Spindle
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and GMC canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2011. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and at the…
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.
What 2011 GMC Canyon owners say
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred on many occasions. The dealer diagnosed that the ignition switch caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on and off at various times, moreso when the vehicle was started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
Engine & cooling
Recall #11181 for 2011 Canyon SLE says GM will replace the automatic transmission adjustment CLIP for free. Recall was established in a GMC assembly plant when a truck would not start. Our truck randomly does not start and we've had it looked at with no problems found to indicate why it randomly does not start. We wait 15-20 minutes and then it will start. This recall is not being honored at a GMC dealership because of no longer available, they say. Can you help us with this issue? Again, the recall # is 11181.
Since I purchased this Canyon in 2019, I've had many occurrences (at least twice a week) of the truck not starting. Through my research on line, I've found other Canyon owners experiencing the same problem. Long story short, the ignition locks and the truck cannot be started unless I wait 10 minutes. This problem interferes with my daily life. I believe GMC should correct this problem.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on and off at various times, moreso when the vehicle was started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
Takata recall airbag light is on . Truck will shut down when the truck is going down the road at 60 miles an hour less or more. When you start the truck it shuts off again. Or will start right up and wash it right back down. The safety belt light comes on or is the car locked I should say. Which is the little picture with the car with the lock on it. I have videotaped what comes across the dash and hasn't shown it to the dealership and they have not done anything because they can't find anything. Shuts off again. Or will start right up in the shut right back down. Safety belt like comes on or is the car lock I should say. Which is the little picture with the car with the lock on it. I have videotaped what comes across the dash and his showing it to the dealership and they have not done anything because they can't find anything. …
2011 GMC Canyon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 23 / 20 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 GMC Canyon a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Canyon rates better than average: 68% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Canyon at the same age. It is one of the best Canyon years by this measure. 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 2011 GMC Canyon?
The electrical system — 3 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (3) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Canyon have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2011 GMC Canyon, the most recent from December 19, 2012 (latch). 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 2011 GMC Canyon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 58,000 miles; 50% 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.