2012 Gmc CANYON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
45,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 23 complaints (34.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 21.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 13.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 13.0% |
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 | 8 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
Electrical System: 8; Air Bags: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10566232 · 2014-02-27 (February 27, 2014)
BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAIL TO FUNCTION VEHICLE WAS RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AND 40,000 MILES SAME ISSUE AND AFTER MANY RETURN VISITS TO THE DEALER FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10722293 · 2015-05-29 (May 29, 2015)
IN FRESNO, CA AT 5:30 P.M., I WAS HEADING EAST ON SHAW AVE., A THREE LANE STREET, NEAR BRAWLEY AVE. A VAN, WAITING FOR CROSS TRAFFIC AT THE CENTER ISLAND, SUDDENLY JOLTED INTO THREE LANES OF HEAVY CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC. THE CAR DRIVER IN THE FIRST LANE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND STOPPED SAFELY. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE AND UNABLE TO VEER LEFT OR RIGHT, SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND CRASHED BROADSIDE, TOTALING BOTH VEHICLES. MY AIRBAG EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE. I SUSTAINED A HEAD AND ANKLE WOUND ABOVE MY LEFT EYE AND ABRASIONS AND BURNS ON BOTH HA…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10722293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11282444 · 2019-11-26 (November 26, 2019)
THE WEIGHT ON THE KEYRING AND ROAD CONDITIONS OR A JARRING EVENT CAUSES THE IGNITION SWITCH TO MOVE OUT OF THE RUN POSITION, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN THE RUN POSITION AND THERE ARE NO OTHER MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE RECALL OF GMC'S CADILLAC CTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11282444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11503124 · 2023-01-23 (January 23, 2023)
Within past year, 2022 to present vehicle will on average 4-5 times a month fail to start. Key in ignition, to accessory mode than fail to turn over. All indicator lamps on dash display. Door chime sounds. Nothing to indicate a problem. Had GMC dealership troubleshoot. They found no codes and vehicle would start fine for them (of course). New battery had been installed, starter was tested, fuel injectors cleaned. MY online research has found a similar problem with multiple year GMC vehicles beginning in 2009 thru 2014. Ignition lock cylind…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11503124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11330113 · 2020-06-22 (June 22, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND HEARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARTON CHEVROLET CADILLAC (800 AUTO PARK PL, NEWBURGH, NY 12550), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLICKING SOUND NOISE WAS COMING FROM A MULTIPLICATION SWITCH FROM THE STEERING AND THAT THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS ORDERED FROM THE DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…
Owner-reported narrative. 121,966 miles reported. Look up ODI 11330113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11330154 · 2020-06-22 (June 22, 2020)
CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11330154 at NHTSA ↗