When sitting at idle, the engine miss & spark knock at times. When start driving down the road the throttle seems hard to Press & takes a little time to reach up to road speed. The truck does not get good gas mileage at all. I had the spark plugs & wires changed still don't help.
The worst 2008 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.
- Electrical15
- Engine14
- Brakes8
- Acceleration5
- Body4
- Lights4
- Fuel system3
- Transmission3
- Airbags1
- Driver assistance1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 GMC Canyon
Recalls 2
Child seat
- 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: switch
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 GMC Canyon 953
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline...
- This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the...
2008 GMC Canyon fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 4‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
| 2.9L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 16-17 | 22 | 18-19 |
| 3.7L 5‑cyl | RWD | 14-16 | 18-22 | 15-18 |
| 3.7L 5‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20-21 | 17 |
What 2008 GMC Canyon owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Carrier Bearing ( Hanger Bearing) broken off mounts. Bearing is mounted via spot welds. The spot weld were not done properly. Was driving at about 30 MPH slowing down when the bearing broke loose from the mounts. The caused the drive shaft to swing about hitting the floor boards. Breaking the universal joint and drive shaft came apart. There was less that 300 miles on the bearing. The truck typical hauls one bicycle. The truck was not used in any commercial function. I'm retired and like to ride my bicycle. I was very lucky in the that I was slowing down for a light. The road I was one is 55MPH. If the drive shat had hit the ground at that speed I'm certain there would have been a very serious accident involving many vehilces.
Been having an issue with the brake light switch at the brake pedal sticking and our brake lights staying on. We notice it mostly after we have parked the truck and turn it off. The brake lights will stay illuminated, not always right away. The brake lights staying illuminated have caused our vehicle to have a dead battery many times. This issue with the brake light switch causing the lights to stay on has actually caused us to have to buy 2 brand new batteries in just over a 12 month period. This issue has killed our battery and left us stranded for hours while waiting for someone to come help us jump the battery. There is a recall out for this brake light switch issue, but this specific year is not included in the recall. Even tho this truck is having the exact same issue the the recall is for. We have been dealing with this issue for over a year now.
I took my vehicle to a small business owner's garage for routine brake work. He showed me a crack in the frame almost all the way through excluding an inch. He found it when he tried lifting the vehicle to do the brakes. It is behind the cab, in front of the bed of the truck. Only one side was holding my truck together.
Repair shop lifted vehicle to repair front brakes and the frame broke just behind the cab.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc canyon. On several occasions, while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and was able to restart. Also, the decreasing power message was displayed. The contact called bishop gmc cadillac (400 mackinaw ave, cheboygan, mi 49721, (231) 627-5669) to notify them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 56,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc canyon. While undergoing brake service at tradition chevrolet buick (847 rte 5, geneva, ny 14456, (315) 789-6811), the technician diagnosed that the rear of the frame was rotted out. The technician recommended that the frame be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc canyon. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact noticed a burning odor. The air conditioner was on speed 2 as smoke and plastic particles emitted into the interior of the vehicle. While switching to speed 1, there was no response. There was also no response for speed 3. The air conditioner functioned at speed 4, but was later turned off due to the failure. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and parked due to the failure. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the wiring harness and resister were completely melted. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The contact replaced the wiring harness and the resister, and the air conditioner speeds 1 - 4 properly functioned. The contact was unable to determine if the parts would prematurely fail again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and indicated that there was no recall; however; the contact should take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing and repair. There was a service campaign to address this failure, but not for this specific year, make, and model. The failure mileage was not available. *bf
"fan belt pulley" I started my truck and was leaving work driving about 10 MPH when the fan belt broke. I had power but no acceleration to the truck. Luckily I was able to coast to a full stop in the parking lot. I looked under the hood where I noticed the fan belt was broke. I had the truck towed to my accredited mechanic which he said that the shaft that holds the pulley was completely broken off inside the engine. Cost to me $600.00
"brake pads/shoes" I had to replace the brake pads and shoes due to the binding, sequeling noise they were making. As a result I had to replace the rotors due to the damage. When I first start the truck and slowly leave my driveway, I could feel the binding and hear the sequeling. After driving 20 minutes this all goes away. Repairs $500.00 which it drives 100 percent better!
Compare the 2008 GMC Canyon
Canyon vs Toyota TacomaCanyon vs Ford RangerCanyon vs Chevrolet ColoradoCanyon vs Nissan FrontierCanyon vs Honda RidgelineCanyon vs Jeep Gladiator
Other model years
200420052006200720082009201020112012201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2008 GMC Canyon
Is the 2008 GMC Canyon reliable?
Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 2008 GMC Canyon, close to a typical Canyon model year.
What is the 2008 GMC Canyon year score?
The 2008 GMC Canyon scores 77 out of 100 (average). 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 2008 GMC Canyon?
Electrical system, with 15 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles. Next is engine (14).
How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Canyon have?
2 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 2008 GMC Canyon get?
Official estimates for the 2008 GMC Canyon range from 15 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.9L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 24 highway.
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