Short answer
Among GMC Canyon model years through 2024, 2019 and 2020 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2015 has the most (8). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
GMC Canyon: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 21 (2004–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 31
- Fewest recalls
- 2019 and 2020 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2015 (8)
- Most recalled system
- Exterior lighting (10)
GMC Canyon Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 2 | 4 stars | Air bags, Equipment |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 2 | 4 stars | Air bags, Equipment |
| 2024 | 3 | 4 stars | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2023 | 3 | 4 stars | Electrical system, Seat belts, Wheels |
| 2022 | 1 | 4 stars | Seats |
| 2021 | 2 | 4 stars | Equipment, Seat belts |
| 2020 | 0 | 4 stars | None on record |
| 2019 | 0 | 4 stars | None on record |
| 2018 | 1 | 4 stars | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2017 | 1 | 4 stars | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 stars | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2015 | 8 | 4 stars | Air bags, Steering, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2012 | 2 | Not rated | Latches/locks/linkages, Seat belts |
| 2011 | 5 | Not rated | Child seat, Latches/locks/linkages, Power train |
| 2010 | 2 | Not rated | Child seat, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2009 | 3 | Not rated | Child seat, Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2008 | 2 | Not rated | Child seat, Exterior lighting |
| 2007 | 3 | Not rated | Child seat, Exterior lighting, Wheels |
| 2006 | 4 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Child seat, Equipment |
| 2005 | 3 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Child seat |
| 2004 | 3 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Child seat |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20262 recalls
- 20252 recalls
- 20243 recalls
- 20233 recalls
- 20221 recall
- 20212 recalls
- 20200 recalls
- 20190 recalls
- 20181 recall
- 20171 recall
- 20164 recalls
- 20158 recalls
- 20122 recalls
- 20115 recalls
- 20102 recalls
- 20093 recalls
- 20082 recalls
- 20073 recalls
- 20064 recalls
- 20053 recalls
- 20043 recalls
GMC Canyon: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in GMC Canyon recalls are exterior lighting (10), air bags (8), child seat (8), fuel system, gasoline (6) and equipment (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 12 of these 21 model years. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: GMC Canyon Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the GMC Canyon?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2019 and 2020 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which GMC Canyon model years have the most recalls?
2015 has the most, with 8 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Canyon", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy