no report yet
Child seat
Risk. BOTH NHTSA AND GM DISCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A FRONT SEAT.
2008 GMC CanyonProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 2008 GMC Canyon, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 17, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 GMC Canyon has problems
38 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
15Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
14Engine
8Service brakes
5Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
4Exterior lighting
4Structure
3Power train
2Fuel/propulsion system
1Seat belts
66 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 15 | 1 |
| Engine | 14 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| 6 other systems | 6 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2008 GMC Canyon recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Brake lights: switch
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Canyon year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Canyon median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 GMC Canyon safety ratings
2008 GMC Canyon Extended Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.9% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Canyon owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
"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…
Own a 2008 Canyon?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.