FaultScore

2005 GMC Canyon brake problems

22 of the 146 complaints about the 2005 GMC Canyon are about the braking system — 15% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 51,152 miles.

C

22

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Service Brakes 10 45.5%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 5 22.7%
Parking Brake 2 9.1%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 1 4.5%
Rotor 1 4.5%
Pads 1 4.5%
Shoes/Linings 1 4.5%
Service Brakes, Electric 1 4.5%

Brakes across every GMC Canyon year

2005 22 40.0%
2006 11 20.0%
2015 10 18.2%
2024 12 21.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Loveland, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

INSTALLED NEW BRAKE LIGHTS DID YOU BRAKE SWITCH UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL SHOWING SIGNS OF NO BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE I'LL BRAKE BALLS HAVE BEEN REPLACE.

NHTSA complaint #11320590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Stow, MA

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE LINES AND THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE BIG WHOLES IN THE FRAME. THE GARAGE WOULDN'T EVEN PUT IT ON THE LIFT, BECAUSE IT WAS SO BAD. HAVE REPLACED BREAKS AND STILL THE TRUCK HAS BREAK ISSUES

NHTSA complaint #11091151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Meridian, ID Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

HIT 3 DEER IN HIGH SPEED COLLISION. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T FUNCTION. THEN RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWED I HAVE TIKATA AIRBAGS. THEN I NOTICED MY BRAKES IF WET OR HAVE ICE ON ROTORS, WHEN BRAKING, I GET TERRIBLE SQUEAKING NOISE AND FRONT END WILL SHIMMY OR VIBRATE. REAR BRAKES TOO. AND MY POWER STEERING STARTED MAKING NOISE, LIKE A RUBBING SOUND A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT TRUCK, THOUGH NO FLUID LOSS OR STIFFNESS IN STEERING. I KNOW THESE AIR BAGS ARE DANGEROUS, METAL PARTS HAVE KILLED A FEW PEOPLE. WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED BY AUTOMAKER ABOUT WHAT AIRBAGS WERE INSTALLED IN MY TRUCK!? I NEED FIXED. I DO A LOT OF MOUNTAIN DRIVING. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO WORK PROPERLY. AND THESE STRANGE NOISES REALLY BUG ME. I CAN'T BE BREAKING DOWN DEEP INTO MOUNTAIN ROADS WHEN I WORK OR TRAVEL. MUCH HIGHWAY TRAVELING TOO. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NEVER WORKED, SINCE TWO WEEKS AFTER BUYING TRUCK. IF COMING UP TO HILLS WHEN SET, THEN AS YOU DRIVE UP & DOWN MORE HILLS, IT WILL SELF EXCELLERATE! NOT SLOW DOWN ON DECLINES. VERY SCARY A COUPLE OF TIMES. VERY DANGEROUS! ENGINE WOULD JUMP INTO PASSING GEAR. I HAVE THE 5 CYLINDER 3.5 MOTOR. AUTOMATIC, SLE EXTENDED CAB 4X4. SHOULD I GO BACK TO DEALER TO GET FIXED?

NHTSA complaint #10954508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,200 miles Bluefield, WV

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN BAKING UP THE ABS FAULT CODE CAME ON WAS GOING 5 MPH OR LESS. TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND THE CODE WENT AWAY. IT HAS DONE THIS A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES ALL WHILE BACKING THE TRUCK UP AT A VERY LOW SPEED, OTHER ISSUES I AM HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONING WILL ONLY WORK ON HIGH AND SOMETIMES THE OTHER SPEEDS WILL WORK. THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS TRUCK AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA complaint #10765441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Edgewood, MD

SERVICE BRAKES

CAN NO LONGER ROLL DOWN THE DRIVERS OR PASSANGERS WINDOWS. NO LONGER HAVE ANY CONTROL OF THE POWER LOCKS FROM EITHER DOOR CONTROL OR REMOTE. BLOWER FOR AIR ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SETTING 1 2 AND 3 WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE BRAKES WILL START TO SOUND LIKE THEY ARE PULSATING AND THEN THE ABS FAULT COMES ON THE DASH AND THE BRAKE LIGHT LIGHTS UP.

NHTSA complaint #10732037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 144,567 miles Twentynine Palms, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT. BRAKE SWITCH WAS SERVICED 2 YEARS AGO UNDER A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. GM WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART UNLESS I PAY FOR A NEW ONE. HOW CAN A NEW PART HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS IN THE RECALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10629223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crawfoedville, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING,TURN SIGNALS HAVE STOPPED WORKING,ENGINE WILL NOT START,TURNOVER, ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10598911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Toms River, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS FAILURE. 3 MONTHS AFTER MFG WARRANTY EXPIRED THE ABS FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES RANDOMLY EVEN WHEN NOT BRAKING, BUZZED, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON, THEN ABS FAILURE DISPLAYED. STAYED ON UNTIL IT RANDOMLY TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. DAILY REPEATING OF PROBLEM. CODES SAID ABS SENSOR FAILURE. HAD IT REPLACED, NO RESOLUTION. PROBLEM KEPT HAPPENING. HAD ENTIRE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED WITH NEW ABS SENSOR INSTALLED AT FACTORY, STILL SAME PROBLEM. HAD WIRING CHECKED, ALL OK. PERSISTENT PROBLEM FOR YEARS. GAVE UP ON GM EVER FIXING IT. APPARENTLY ON GM CANYON/COLORADO FORUMS THIS IS A MAJOR PERSISTENT DANGEROUS PROBLEM. MOST USERS OPT TO DISABLE THE ABS SYSTEM BECAUSE GM CANNOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION. SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER OF GM'S BRILLIANT ENGINEERS DESIGN FAILURES. SHOCKED NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET. ALL THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH FAILING OR DISABLED ABS SYSTEMS AND GM HASN'T A CLUE.

NHTSA complaint #10596571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,000 miles Henderson NC, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

THE ABS FAULT LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ABS SYSTEM STARTS TRYING TO OVER WORK. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE HAD THIS LOOKED AT AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE, HOWEVER NO RECALL. SECOND ISSUE:HVAC SYSTEM HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WHERE IT KEEPS OVER HEATING AND THE HVAC HARNESS HAS TO BE REPLACED, AFTER BEING BURNED. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. IM SURE YOU HAVE OTHER FOLKS REPORTING THESE ISSUES...JUST LOOK AT THE FORUMS ON THE INTERNET...

NHTSA complaint #10483282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Willowick, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS LIGHT COMES ON WITH NO APPARENT REASON, ALSO TRACTION FAULT ALSO COMES ON FROM TIME TO TIME AFFECTING GAS MILEAGE. THERE IS ALSO A MISFIRE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10483286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,000 miles Buffalo, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN I TRY TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER GOING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM "ACTIVATES" AND MAKES A "GRINDING SOUND". IT WILL DO THIS AFTER 3-4 STOPS AND THEN THE ABS FAULT LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE PROBLEM STOPS. IF I START THE TRUCK AND DRIVE FASTER (15 MPH OR FASTER ) THEN BRAKE, IT DOESN'T DO IT AT THE HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10430313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Verdun, 00

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I OWN A 2005 GMC CANYON. THREE WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY THE ABS SYSTEM BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE ABS WOULD KICK IN FOR NO REASON. BECAUSE IT WAS ACCORDING TO GM OUT OPF THE GUARANTEE PERIOD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. MY PRIVATE GARAGE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CANYON AND USED A WORK AROUND TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BY DISABLING THE ABS SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING THE SENSORS WITCH WOULD PROBABLY BE DAMAGED AGAIN WHEN REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS.

NHTSA complaint #10400881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABS FAULT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND GM IS NOT RESPONDING TO OUR CONCERNS.

NHTSA complaint #10354939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles Rome, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

ABS SENSOR FAULT APPEARS AND CONTINUES TO STAY ON. WHEN LIGHT TURNS OFF TERRIBLE NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURS WHEN BRAKING. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY 3 YEAR OLD AND MYSELF AS THE BRAKES DO NO REACT AS THEY SHOULD. I HAVE TAKEN IT AND HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED, THE SENSORS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. AFTER 3 DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE SHOP, I AM SO WORRIED THAT I AM GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH MY TRUCK. I HAVE SEARCHED AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX?14@775.65L2APUJVGC@.F1FB9BA/33#MSG33 PLEASE COPY THIS LINK AND CHECK OUT ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET REALLY HURT IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF.

NHTSA complaint #10354388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,994 miles South Park, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL BEGAN TO SEVERELY PULSATE. IT TOOK AN INCREASED DISTANCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN ABS FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE HAS SINCE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,994 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,010. UPDATED 11/22/10 *BF UPDATED 11/23/10

NHTSA complaint #10352732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Pittstown, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2005 GMC CANYON, 4WD. BRAKES LOCK UP AFTER SITTING FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME OR WHEN WET. ABS DOES ACTIVATE, HEAR THE NOISE, REAR BRAKES LOCK. WENT TO SOME OF THE FORUMS FOR THESE VEHICLES, FIND OUT IT IS COMMON. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER (BOUGHT IT USED AS CERTIFIED GM) AS THE PARKING BRAKE STUCK ONLY A WEEK AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE. THEY REPLACED THE CABLE, TOLD ME I WAS SET. I TOOK THE TRUCK HOME, BRAKES WERE VERY "TOUCHY" BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER A FEW WEEKS LATER (THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS ME) AND THEY CHARGED ME $100.00 AND SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES, NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY. I CALLED THEM AND HAD A BLOW OUT ARGUMENT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER TO NO AVAIL AS THE BRAKES WERE STILL TOUCHY. I HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THEM UNTIL TODAY, WHEN IN THE RAIN I HAD TO MAKE A PANIC STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY LOCKED AT 65 MPH, TRUCK STAYED STRAIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO LET OFF FAST ENOUGH. LUCKILY THE GUY BEHIND ME WAS NOT FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE, OR HE WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER ME. SITUATION IS GETTING WORSE, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35+ YEARS AND NEVER HAD A VEHICLE LIKE THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10343351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Plainfield, IL

PARKING BRAKE

REAR BRAKE SHOES BAD AT 45,000. REPLACED DRUMS AND SHOES. NEW DRUMS WARPED AFTER 2 MONTHS AND 2,000 MILES. REPLACED DRUMS AND SHOES AGAIN, SQUEAKS VERY LOUD, DRUMS BAD AGAIN. REPLACED DRUMS WITH GMC DRUMS, BRAKES BAD AGAIN AFTER 1 MONTH. TOOK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AFTER DEALER WOULD NOT FIX ISSUE. INDEPENDANT REPLACED LEFT REAR HYDRAULIC AND NEW SHOES. STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE MUST BE DEFECTIVE. BRAKES ARE NOW SQUEAKING AGAIN AFTER 1 MONTH. ALSO SLIGHT LOCKING UP WHEN BACKING UP AFTER RAIN, COLD, MOIST WEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #10274144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Plainfield, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

REAR BRAKE SHOES BAD AT 45,000. REPLACED DRUMS AND SHOES. NEW DRUMS WARPED AFTER 2 MONTHS AND 2,000 MILES. REPLACED DRUMS AND SHOES AGAIN, SQUEAKS VERY LOUD, DRUMS BAD AGAIN. REPLACED DRUMS WITH GMC DRUMS, BRAKES BAD AGAIN AFTER 1 MONTH. TOOK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AFTER DEALER WOULD NOT FIX ISSUE. INDEPENDANT REPLACED LEFT REAR HYDRAULIC AND NEW SHOES. STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE MUST BE DEFECTIVE. BRAKES ARE NOW SQUEAKING AGAIN AFTER 1 MONTH. ALSO SLIGHT LOCKING UP WHEN BACKING UP AFTER RAIN, COLD, MOIST WEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #10274144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,660 miles Watertown, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXCESSIVELY LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE INADEQUATELY SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,660 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,680. UPDATED 02/02/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/02/09.

NHTSA complaint #10254403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nonno, UT

PARKING BRAKE

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE BREAKS OF HIS 2005 GMC CANYON (NO. 06030). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON MANY OCCASIONS HIS BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP ON HIM WHEN BACKING UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH HUMIDITY IN TEXAS WHERE HE RESIDES 6 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR IS WHAT CAUSES HIS BRAKES TO LOCK UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES USUALLY LOCK IN THE EVENINGS WHEN IT IS VERY HUMID, AND ARE STILL IN THAT LOCKED POSITION THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES SQUEAK AND SQUEAL. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT HIS CAR AND SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, SO THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD ANY REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10176821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,000 miles Jackman, ME

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE, WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10164173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,305 miles Cocoa, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS

FIRST: HEARING IMPAIRED DRIVER...PREMATURE REAR BRAKE LINING FAILURE LEADING TO MAJOR DAMAGE TO DRUMS AND HYDRAULIC SYSTEM...SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 53,000 MILES ON VEHICLE..RESULTING IN REPAIRS TOTALING APPROXIMATELY. $2276.00...THIS PREMATURE FAILURE OF SYSTEM RESULTED FROM MODERATE VEHICLE USAGE AND DRIVING HABITS, NON-ABUSE OF VEHICLE...A NORMAL DRIVEN VEHICLE LIFE OF REAR BRAKE LININGS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS SHOULD LAST 60,000 PLUS MILES ON THIS MODEL 2005 GMC CANYON PICK-UP. THE REPAIRING FACILITY COULD OFFER NO REASON OR VISIBLE REASON OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE...THE FOREMOST REASON THAT COMES TO MIND IS EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING DEPRESS AND OR "RIDING" THE BRAKES BUT BOTH OF THESE HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED...SO CAUSE IS UNKNOWN..THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT 08/22/05, MILEAGE 23,403 AND THE SECOND OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT 07/17/06, MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES...

NHTSA complaint #10162814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 GMC Canyon problems

← Full 2005 GMC Canyon report