2011 Gmc CANYON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
51,073 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 33.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10435421 · 2011-11-13 (November 13, 2011)
A DAY OR TWO AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE I WAS IN A CRAMPED PARKING LOT AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE GOING FORWARD AND ONCE IN REVERSE BEFORE I REALIZED THAT MY FOOT WAS PARTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PARTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES SINCE THEN. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN I AM WEARING WIDE SOLED WORK SHOES. (GMC MARKETS THIS VEHICLE AS A WORK TRUCK.) THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHICH CAUSED ME TO NEARLY TRAP A WOMAN WHO WAS STANDING BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10435421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10574718 · 2014-03-25 (March 25, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH WHEN IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V139000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,464.
Owner-reported narrative. 44,646 miles reported. Look up ODI 10574718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10658993 · 2014-11-18 (November 18, 2014)
I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT ARE TERRIFYING AS IT IS PUTTING MY FAMILY IN JEOPARDY. MY FIRST INDICATION OF A PROBLEM OCCURRED IN AUGUST 2013 AND CONTINUED UNTIL MAY, 2014, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO HAVE FIXED ITSELF AS I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS AFTER MAY 2014 UNTIL OCTOBER 2014. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE SOME CONNECTION TO COLDER WEATHER. THE STALLING PROBLEM IS NOW OCCURRING REGULARLY AND THE ERROR MESSAGES TEND TO DISAPPEAR OVERNIGHT BEFORE I CAN GET TO A DEALER. I AM KEEPING…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10658993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10700627 · 2015-03-20 (March 20, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 57,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10700627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483654 · 2022-09-09 (September 9, 2022)
Recall #11181 for 2011 Canyon SLE says GM will replace the automatic transmission adjustment CLIP for free. Recall was established in a GMC assembly plant when a truck would not start. Our truck randomly does not start and we’ve had it looked at with no problems found to indicate why it randomly does not start. We wait 15-20 minutes and then it will start. This recall is not being honored at a GMC dealership because of no longer available, they say. Can you help us with this issue? Again, the recall # is 11181.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483654 at NHTSA ↗