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2005 GMC Canyon problems

The most common problem on the 2005 GMC Canyon is electrical system, typically around 58,000 miles. It has 2.7 times the complaints of a typical Canyon model year.

Year to avoid2.7x the typical complaints
Year score
36/100
Owner complaints
113
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
658
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
17-21mpg

The worst 2005 GMC Canyon problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 GMC Canyon

ABS 13Adaptive cruise 6Grinding brakes 6Airbag light 5

Recalls 3

Child seatReported November 18, 2010 · 192,676 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the top tether anchor for the front center seat is not accessible and the owner manual does not include instructions regarding how to use the top tether.
Risk
Both the federal safety agency and gm discourage placement of a child in a front seat. Nevertheless, there are individual circumstances that may require placement of a child in a restraint in the front center seating position of this vehicle that does not offer a rear seat. Lack of access to the top tether anchor and a lack of instructions as to how to use it, may result in improper installation of a child restraint. Improper installation of a child restraint can result in a reduction in the restraint's performance in the event of a crash and an increased risk of injury or death to the child seated in the restraint.
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. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727 or visit gm's website at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 10V575000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported July 29, 2009 · 185,903 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Gm is recalling 185,903 model year 2004-2009 colorado, gmc model year 2009-2004 canyon, model year 2006 I-280, I-350, model year 2007-2008 I-290, and I-370, passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alabama, arizona, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, nevada, new mexico, puerto rico, south carolina, texas, u.s. Virgin islands and utah. Some of these vehicles have a brake lamp switch that may not work as designed due to contamination in the switch.
Risk
This condition could cause the simultaneous loss of all brake lamps or cause all of the brake lamps to stay on continuously. Both of these conditions could fail to warn others of the driver's intentions and could lead to a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the necessary components as specified in the recall bulletin free of charge. Gm anticipates that parts will be available by june 2010. A special coverage for vehicles registered in all other states will be implemented in the same time frame. In the interim, owners who experience the failure can obtain a free repair, however they will be required to return when the new design part becomes available. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727 or at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 09V310000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported April 27, 2006 · 404,733 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain pickup trucks may experience the permanent loss of brake lamp function or brake lamps that are illuminated at all times. The center high-mounted stop lamp (chmsl) is affected in both instances. Also, if equipped, the cruise control will become inoperative. Any trailer brake lamps which are connected to the vehicle's brake lamp wiring will mimic the vehicle's brake lamps when either condition occurs.
Risk
A following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch assembly. The recall began on december 5, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 or isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727.

Recall number 06V139000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2005 GMC Canyon

Defect investigations

Brake lamp switch malfunctionOpened February 25, 2009, closed July 30, 2009

On july 28,2009, gm initiated a regional recall campaign on certain model year (my) 2004-2009 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles and my2006-2008 isuzu I-series vehicles.the states and u.s. Territories involved are al, az, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, nv, nm, pr, sc, tx, vi and ut.a total of 185,903 vehicles will be recalled with 92,272 vehicles within the scope of this investigation.in addition, a special coverage/extended warranty program will be initiated forvehicles registered in all other states. Gm determined that brake lamp switch failures are more likely to occur in vehicles in which customers used interior cleaners containing silicon and that reside in hot geographical locations.brake lamp switch contamination failure can cause loss of the brake lamps or the brake lamps to stay on continuously, increasing the risk of rear-end crashes.gm has reported no crashes or injuries due to the failure of the brake lamp switch.odi initially reported one crash incident, but later downgraded the report due to the absence of actual property damage or cost incurred when the vehicle was lightly tapped from behind at low speed.this investigation is closed (see recall campaign 09v0310).

RQ09001

Brake lamp switch failureOpened December 2, 2005, closed May 1, 2006

By letter dated april 26, 2006, gm notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (the federal safety agency recall no. 06v139) involving certain model year (my) 2004-06 chevrolet colorado, gmc canyon and 2006 my isuzu i280/i350 vehicles.gm's recall covers 404,733 vehicles.gm reports that loss of brake lamp illumination was caused by insufficient plating on the stationary contact in the brake lamp switch.gm will replace the brake lamp switch assembly on all involved vehicles with the new switch that has the increased plating on the stationary contact.based on gm's safety recall action, this investigation is closed.

PE05065

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 GMC Canyon 658

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 658 bulletins for the 2005 GMC Canyon

2005 GMC Canyon fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.8L 4‑cylRWD16-1823-2418-21
3.5L 5‑cylRWD16-1722-2318-19
2.8L 4‑cyl4WD15-1721-2217-19
3.5L 5‑cyl4WD16-1721-2218-19

What 2005 GMC Canyon owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 12, 2023 · Body, Suspension · KY

Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a lot of rusting and holes due to the excessive rusting.

Filed Jan 9, 2022 · Body · IN

The frames on many of these trucks are unsafe to be on the road due to rusted leaf spring mounts and frame rails that are rotting away and unable to lift on a hoist. Luckily I came across a video warning me to watch out for a rusted frame or else I could have lost control while driving. Yes, I work at a gm dealership and see this issue often, they are very similar to the Toyota trucks that had rusted frames replaced under recall. No it has not been inspected but they're is no way that it would pass an annual inspection, therefore the truck is rendered useless. There were no warnings that the frame was almost rotted in half. Very dangerous situation.

Filed Jun 26, 2020 · Body · 91,900 miles · OH

Nearly total frame failure due to poor steel and extreme rust and corrosion of entire frame. With this model year of gmc and chevrolet trucks, there are a lot of reports of frame failures. My particular truck is so badly rusted that the cab and body could possibly separate due to frame failure. This vehicle has not been driven much during the winters and has been garaged most of its life. These frames shouldn't be this bad on a 15 year old vehicle.

Filed Jun 17, 2020 · Body, Lights · 324,515 miles · AL

On 6/17/20 as I was traveling under the alabaster, alabama over pass on highway 65 north an orange construction barrel was blown into the road by a truck a head of me. I swerved in the attempt to miss it. The barrel clipped the passenger side bumper and tore out my fog lamp. Thankfully no accident occurred. Would like my fog lamp replaced and barrels not in use picked up off of the highways. Thank you in advance.

Filed Apr 16, 2020 · Body · 13,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc canyon. The contact stated that while changing the oil at the residence, the contact became aware that the subframe was severely rusted. The contact stated that the rear leaf springs were also severely rusted. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic. While attempting to raise the vehicle on the lift, the frame started to collapse. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage 13,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · OH

Installed new brake lights did you brake switch under the brake pedal still showing signs of no brake lights on my vehicle I'll brake balls have been replace.

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Body · 100,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc canyon. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil change and was informed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2019 · IL

The whole leaf spring shackle went thru the frame of the truck. After looking at how to replace this noticed pretty much the whole thing is rusted out and will need to be replaced to make it safe to be on the road again. This should be a recall on the truck for safety reasons

Filed Apr 5, 2019 · 130,985 miles · OH

Owned the vehicle from new, frame started rusting at every weldment from day one. Tried to treat the frame yearly with door grease to stop corrosion. No success, now frame is rotted and in danger of collapse.

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · 157,063 miles · MA

Frame cracked in front of rear spring shackles on both sides. Heard noise bed rubbing against cab. Vehicle was in motion at the time of the noise. Found broken frame when I got home.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2005 GMC Canyon before you buy

Compare the 2005 GMC Canyon

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Other model years

200420052006200720082009201020112012201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2005 GMC Canyon

Is the 2005 GMC Canyon reliable?

Owners have filed 113 complaints about the 2005 GMC Canyon, 2.7 times a typical Canyon model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2005 GMC Canyon year score?

The 2005 GMC Canyon scores 36 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Canyon: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 GMC Canyon?

Electrical system, with 23 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles. Next is brakes (21).

How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Canyon have?

3 recalls, covering child seat and exterior lighting.

What year does the GMC Canyon have the most electrical problems?

The GMC Canyon model years with the most electrical complaints are 2016 (38 complaints), 2015 (32 complaints) and 2024 (26 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 GMC Canyon get?

Official estimates for the 2005 GMC Canyon range from 17 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 16-18 city and 23-24 highway.

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