2004 Gmc CANYON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
80 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
74,456 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 57 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 80 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 8.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Suspension | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
Electrical System: 12; Suspension: 11; Structure:Body: 9; Air Bags: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Exterior Lighting: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 6
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 7; 2005: 11; 2006: 9; 2007: 4; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 7; 2011: 1; 2012: 4; 2013: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 6; 2018: 5; 2019: 5; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10104362 · 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
HAD ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS ON ALREADY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10104362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124265 · 2005-06-20 (June 20, 2005)
WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY KICK INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHEN MAKING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THERE IS NO WARNING. WHEN IT KICKS IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE, IT STOPS LIKE THE BRAKE IS ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS . THE VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED. THERE ARE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124265 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159906 · 2006-06-15 (June 15, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH AND THE CRUISE CONTROL ARE CONNECTED BY THE SAME WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V139000 REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173150 · 2006-11-10 (November 10, 2006)
REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, BRAKE LAMPS AND HEAD LAMPS EXPERIENCE PERMANENT LOSS. SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE BECOMES WET THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS FUNCTIONING, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING, THE POWER WINDOWS STOP WORKING, AND THE POWER REAR VIEW MIRRORS STOP WORKING. ALSO THERE IS PERIODIC NON-FUNCTIONING OF THE REMOTE KEY ENTRY. AS OF 11/10/2006 THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND ONE HEAD LAMP AT OWNERS EXPENSE. CURRENTLY A THIRD BRAKE LIGHT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. ON NOV. 10, 2006 I TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR REPAIR AN MENTIONED …
Owner-reported narrative. 41,051 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173150 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441691 · 2011-12-29 (December 29, 2011)
I PULLED INTO THE PARKING AREA OF A GROCERY STORE AND STOPPED IN THE DRIVING LANE OF THE LOT. UPON BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE SHIFT LEVER MOVED FREELY IN MY HAND AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. I ROLLED FORWARD INTO A PARKING SPOT AND CALLED AAA ASSISTANCE. UPON AAA'S ARRIVAL THE TECHNICIAN CRAWLED UNDER TO TRUCK AND REATTACHED THE TRANSMISSION CABLE. OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL WEEKS THE CABLE CAME OFF THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE SEVERAL MORE TIMES. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LINKAGE REPLACED. THE END OF THE CABLE WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10535162 · 2013-08-13 (August 13, 2013)
REFERENCE RECALLS ON REPORT RECEIPT DATE: APR 27, 2006 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V139000 COMPONENT(S): EXTERIOR LIGHTING REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JUL 29, 2009 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V310000 COMPONENT(S): EXTERIOR LIGHTING MY 2004 GMC CANYON BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT ON ME ON 8/8/2013. THE BRAKE LIGHT OUT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR TAILGATERS. SO I TOOK TO MARK CHRISTOPHER GMC DEALER, ONTARIO CA FOR REPAIR BECAUSE OF TWO SAME RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE PLUS TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE. ORIGINAL ESTIMATION OF COST WAS 305. THE DEALER DECIDED TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,766 miles reported. Look up ODI 10535162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141481 · 2005-11-01 (November 1, 2005)
SHIMMY, VIBRATION, EVEN SMALL POTHOLES JAR THE STEERING TO EITHER SIDE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10141481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10787970 · 2015-11-03 (November 3, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER FAILED TO SECURE THE CONTACT, WHICH CAUSED HER FACE TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CARRIED OUT AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10787970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252890 · 2008-12-27 (December 27, 2008)
MY TRUCK IS FAILING TO START AT INTERMITTENT TIMES. HAVE CHECKED THE STARTER AND ALTERNATOR BUT THE LIGHTS WORK AND THE BATTERY CHECKS OUT FINE. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE TRUCK WILL START AND RUN NORMALLY. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP CHANGED AS I WAS TOLD THIS WAS THE PROBLEM BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN THINKING I RECEIVED A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP BUT I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME STARTING ISSUES. I HAVE RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE TRUCK HOPING THIS WOULD HELP BUT IT HAS NOT. THIS STARTING ISSUE OCCURS ABOUT EVERY DAY AND USUAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,530 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10359507 · 2010-10-07 (October 7, 2010)
2004 GMC CANYON, 113,000 MILES. ABOUT A YEAR AGO STARTED HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS. CHANGED FUEL PUMP, OUT OF MY POCKET, TRUCK OUT OF WARRANTY. $400 LATER TRUCK STILL HAD STARTING PROBLEMS. NOTICED WHEN IT WON'T START PASSLOCK LIGHT IS ON. HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES OR SO THEN IT'LL START. HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT NOW. DEALER WANTS $90 TO DIAGNOSE PLUS COST OF PARTS & LABOR. I'VE NOTICED QUITE A FEW OTHER CANYON OWNERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY VEHICLES WILL THIS HAVE TO EFFECT BEFORE RECALL IS DONE? THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MY TRUCK …
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200104 · 2007-08-20 (August 20, 2007)
NOTIFIED JOF DEFECT BY GMC THAT ENGINE INTAKE VALVE SEATS ARE SUBJECT TO ABNORMAL WEAR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN MISFIRING AND ROUGH ENGINE IDLING. THEY DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL, MERELY ADVISING OWNERS TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER IF PROBLEM OCCURS. I MAINTAIN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF THE MISFIRE IGNITES THE AIR FILTER? WHAT IF THE VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC? WHAT ABOUT POLLUTION AND CAFE ISSUES? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10200104 at NHTSA ↗