Verdict

2012 GMC Canyon: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

Name: 2012 GMC Canyon
Brand: GMC

What the public record actually says about the 2012 GMC Canyon — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Fewer reported complaints than most truck.

Owners filed 29 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 75% of 2012 trucks. Electrical System leads the reports (34%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2012 trucks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

Reports to NHTSA, 2012

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 75% of 2012 trucks

The bar is this car's percentile among 2012 trucks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (34% of 29 reports), followed by air bags (14%).

Electrical System34% · 10 reports

Air Bags14% · 4 reports

Service Brakes7% · 2 reports

Steering7% · 2 reports

Structure7% · 2 reports

Suspension7% · 2 reports

Unknown Or Other7% · 2 reports

Engine And Engine Cooling3% · 1 report

+ 4 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 29 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11022752, ODI 11575200, ODI 11503124, ODI 11477739, ODI 11282444.

Recalls(2)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Seat Belts · 11V552000Details +

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS THAT DO NOT FIT SNUGLY WITH THE CONNECTOR PINS, CAUSING THE CONNECTION TO BE INTERMITTENT.

Risk: THE LOOSE CONNECTIONS MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT RECEIVE A VISUAL OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Latches/Locks/Linkages · 12V594000Details +

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.

Risk: If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

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. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2012 GMC Canyon PU/RC RWD NHTSA source

Overall: Not rated
Frontal: Not rated
Side: Not rated
Rollover

2012 GMC Canyon PU/EC RWD NHTSA source

Overall: Not rated
Frontal: Not rated
Side: Not rated
Rollover

2012 GMC Canyon PU/CC RWD NHTSA source

Overall: Not rated
Frontal: Not rated
Side: Not rated
Rollover

2012 GMC Canyon PU/RC AWD NHTSA source

Overall: Not rated
Frontal: Not rated
Side: Not rated
Rollover

2012 GMC Canyon PU/EC AWD NHTSA source

Overall: Not rated
Frontal: Not rated
Side: Not rated
Rollover

2012 GMC Canyon PU/CC AWD NHTSA source

Overall: Not rated
Frontal: Not rated
Side: Not rated
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

Trim	Engine	Drivetrain	Transmission	City	Hwy	Combined
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD	2.9L 4-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Manual 5-spd	18	25	21
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD	2.9L 4-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	18	24	21
Canyon 2WD	2.9L 4-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Manual 5-spd	18	25	21
Canyon 2WD	2.9L 4-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	18	24	21
Canyon 4WD	2.9L 4-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Manual 5-spd	18	24	20
Canyon 4WD	2.9L 4-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	17	23	20
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD	3.7L 5-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	17	23	19
Canyon 4WD	3.7L 5-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	17	23	19
Canyon 2WD	3.7L 5-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	17	23	19
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD	3.7L 5-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	16	21	18
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD	3.7L 5-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	16	21	18
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 2WD	3.7L 5-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	15	20	17
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	14	19	16
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	15	20	16
Canyon 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	14	19	16
Canyon 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	15	20	16

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

Check recalls by VINConfirm open campaigns for the specific car.

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Compare model years

2010 2011 2012 2015Most complained 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022Fewest reports 2023 2024 2025

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2012 GMC Canyon: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2012 GMC Canyon?

Owners filed 29 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 GMC Canyon — fewer complaints than 75% of comparable 2012 trucks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2012 GMC Canyon?

The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (34% of complaints) and air bags (14%).

How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Canyon have?

2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2012 GMC Canyon, covering components such as seat belts. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2012 GMC Canyon get?

The EPA rates the 2012 GMC Canyon between 16 and 21 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.