2012 Gmc CANYON
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Gmc CANYON has 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (30% of all complaints), specifically: brake lights and cruise control fail to function vehicle was return to the dealer for service and the fuse box was replaced 2 years and 40,000 miles same issue and after many return visits to the dealer fuse box was replaced again. *tr. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
30
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
9 complaints- • BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAIL TO FUNCTION VEHICLE WAS RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AND 40,000 MILES SAME ISSUE AND AFTER MANY RETURN VISITS TO THE DEALER FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
- • 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 PRO
- • 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 S
“BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAIL TO FUNCTION VEHICLE WAS RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AND 40,000 MILES SAME ISSUE AND AFTER MANY RETURN VISITS TO THE DEALER FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED AGAIN. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
3 complaints- • BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAIL TO FUNCTION VEHICLE WAS RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AND 40,000 MILES SAME ISSUE AND AFTER MANY RETURN VISITS TO THE DEALER FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
- • 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 MAN
- • 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 imm
“BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAIL TO FUNCTION VEHICLE WAS RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AND 40,000 MILES SAME ISSUE AND AFTER MANY RETURN VISITS TO THE DEALER FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED AGAIN. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
2 complaints- • WHILE DRIVING, THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED OR COMPLETELY ELIMINATED. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT EVERY THING RESET IN ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS. POWER LOSS COULD BE DEADLY IF ENTERING A HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE STREET IF THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
- • 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 PRO
“WHILE DRIVING, THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED OR COMPLETELY ELIMINATED. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT EVERY THING RESET IN ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS. POWER LOSS COULD BE DEADLY IF ENTERING A HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE STREET IF THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
AIR BAGS
2 complaints- • IN FRESNO, CA AT 5:30 P.M., I WAS HEADING EAST ON SHAW AVE., A THREE LANE STREET, NEAR BRAWLEY AVE. A VAN, WAITING FOR CROSS TRAFFIC AT THE CENTER ISLAND, SUDDENLY JOLTED INTO THREE LANES OF HEAVY CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC. THE CAR DRIVER IN THE FIRST LANE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND STOPPED SAFELY. I WAS
- • 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.
“IN FRESNO, CA AT 5:30 P.M., I WAS HEADING EAST ON SHAW AVE., A THREE LANE STREET, NEAR BRAWLEY AVE. A VAN, WAITING FOR CROSS TRAFFIC AT THE CENTER ISLAND, SUDDENLY JOLTED INTO THREE LANES OF HEAVY CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC. THE CAR DRIVER IN THE FIRST LANE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND STOPPED SAFELY. I WAS ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
2 complaints- • 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 PRO
- • 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 REPAIR
“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 PRO”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 30 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAIL TO FUNCTION VEHICLE WAS RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AND 40,000 MILES SAME ISSUE AND AFTER MANY RETURN VISITS TO THE DEALER FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAIL TO FUNCTION VEHICLE WAS RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AND 40,000 MILES SAME ISSUE AND AFTER MANY RETURN VISITS TO THE DEALER FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: WHILE DRIVING, THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED OR COMPLETELY ELIMINATED. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT EVERY THING RESET IN ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS. POWER LOSS COULD BE DEADLY IF ENTERING A HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE STREET IF THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: IN FRESNO, CA AT 5:30 P.M., I WAS HEADING EAST ON SHAW AVE., A THREE LANE STREET, NEAR BRAWLEY AVE. A VAN, WAITING FOR CROSS TRAFFIC AT THE CENTER ISLAND, SUDDENLY JOLTED INTO THREE LANES OF HEAVY CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC. THE CAR DRIVER IN THE FIRST LANE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND STOPPED SAFELY. I WAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Gmc CANYON — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
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