Is the 2011 Gmc CANYON reliable?

The 2011 Gmc CANYON has 20 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Gmc CANYON?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (3 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (3 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Gmc CANYON?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), CHILD SEAT, SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Gmc CANYON?

The 2011 Gmc CANYON gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Gmc CANYON?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Gmc CANYON is approximately $1,537/year (truck-fullsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Gmc CANYON

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Gmc CANYON has 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 39. The most common issue is electrical problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 gmc canyon. the contact stated that the brake lights failed intermittently. additionally when starting the vehicle there were multiple warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the repairs were unknown. the . There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

15%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WERE MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE
• 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
• 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 APPROXIMA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WERE MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Gmc CANYON

Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR06/05/2011

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. WHEN THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED WITH A BUILD-UP OF SNOW OR ICE, OR IF THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED ON A DRY WINDSHIELD, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN. IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT LOOSENING OF THE NUT, THE WIPERS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Risk: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Gmc CANYON

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Gmc CANYON

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,537

Full coverage / month

$128

Liability only / year

$648

vs US avg

-8%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-fullsize)1.08x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1537

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc CANYON Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2011 CANYON, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 20 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WERE MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT ARE TERRIFYING AS IT IS PUTTING MY FAMILY IN JEOPARDY. MY FIRST INDICATION OF A PROBLEM OCCURRED IN AUGUST 2013 AND CONTINUED UNTIL MAY, 2014, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO HAVE FIXED ITSELF AS I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS AFTER MAY 2014 U
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
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 APPROXIMA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: A DAY OR TWO AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE I WAS IN A CRAMPED PARKING LOT AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE GOING FORWARD AND ONCE IN REVERSE BEFORE I REALIZED THAT MY FOOT WAS PARTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PARTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAS HAPPENED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)