FaultScore

GMC Canyon airbag problems

59 of the 1,948 complaints filed about the GMC Canyon are about the airbag system — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2005.

59

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

25

Crashes

3

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2004 Canyon 5 8.5%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

2005 Canyon 10 16.9%

Median failure at 101,000 miles

2006 Canyon 4 6.8%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

2007 Canyon 5 8.5%

Median failure at 77,150 miles

2008 Canyon 1 1.7%

Median failure at 34,000 miles

2009 Canyon 3 5.1%

Median failure at 34,270 miles

2011 Canyon 3 5.1%

Median failure at 79,500 miles

2012 Canyon 2 3.4%

Median failure at 14,000 miles

2015 Canyon 7 11.9%

Median failure at 52,000 miles

2016 Canyon 6 10.2%

Median failure at 27,350 miles

2017 Canyon 3 5.1%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

2018 Canyon 2 3.4%
2020 Canyon 1 1.7%

Median failure at 58,000 miles

2021 Canyon 2 3.4%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

2022 Canyon 2 3.4%

Median failure at 14,000 miles

2023 Canyon 3 5.1%

Median failure at 150 miles

What owners said

2023 GMC Canyon Blackwood, NJ Fire

AIR BAGS

While driving I saw smoke and when I pulled over I seen fuel leaking from the gas tank area. Where it was leaking it ignited and the fire department had to put out the fire and the truck is totaled

NHTSA complaint #11743819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 GMC Canyon Alabaster, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

Crash on 5/5 rear ended car - airbags did not deploy . Received concussion and neck injury.

NHTSA complaint #11737690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 GMC Canyon Eagle River, WI

AIR BAGS

To Whom It May Concern, This letter is submitted to report a safety-related defect involving an airbag sensor failure on a 2022 GMC Canyon. The vehicle experienced a failure of an airbag sensor that is part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The sensor is required for proper airbag deployment and system readiness. Failure of this component compromises the operation of the airbag system and presents a potential safety risk to vehicle occupants. The failure occurred on a vehicle approximately four years in service and was diagnosed as an airbag sensor defect. The sensor assembly includes an integral gasket, and the failure of that gasket resulted in sensor malfunction and airbag system fault indications. General Motors and the administrator of the GMC Platinum Protection Plan were notified of the defect. Coverage for the repair was refused on the basis that a component of the sensor assembly was allegedly excluded, despite the fact that the gasket is integral to the sensor and the failure affects a federally regulated safety system. As a result of this refusal, a safety-related defect involving an airbag system was not repaired. The matter was treated as a contractual coverage issue rather than addressed as a potential defect impacting occupant protection. This submission is intended to notify NHTSA of a failure involving an SRS component that may affect other similarly manufactured vehicles. An airbag sensor failure raises concerns regarding component durability, system reliability, and compliance with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). This complaint is submitted for logging, review, and any action the Office of Defects Investigation deems appropriate.

NHTSA complaint #11713514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 GMC Canyon Steger, IL

AIR BAGS

Seatbelt light for the front driver continues to turn on even when buckled in and will ding to notify that it’s not buckled despite it buckled in. This is a safety issue as the airbag light also remains on because of it.

NHTSA complaint #11688614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon Tujunga, CA Crash Fire 2 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact's grandmother owned a 2015 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that her grandfather was driving approximately 60 MPH on the freeway while her grandmother was occupying the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that while the driver was attempting to switch to the right lane, the steering wheel locked up and the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The driver was unable to pull to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. The contact stated that another van driving 80 MPH crashed into the vehicle, and the van caught on fire; however, the vehicle of the contact's grandparents did not catch on fire. The vehicle was then rear-ended by three other vehicles, causing the bed of the vehicle to be smooshed into the cab, and the driver's side of the vehicle was smooshed into the center divider wall. The center divider wall might have been damaged. The driver sustained whiplash and was thrown across his wife's lap. The emergency services assisted the driver out of the vehicle and put the driver on a stretcher. The contact's grandmother was assisted out of the vehicle. The contact stated that only the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed. The driver was transported to the hospital by emergency services. The contact stated that the driver sustained a crushed spine and severed lower nerves, causing the lower body paralysis. Additionally, the driver sustained broken ribs, 15-20 staples across his head, ruptured lungs, which caused a loss of 7 pints of blood. The driver received a transfusion of 5 pints of blood. The driver's wife sustained a bruised right cheekbone, soreness on the face, the hand, the thumb, and the body. Both passengers were currently receiving medical assistance. It was unknown whether the other drivers sustained injuries. A police report was filed, and the police confirmed that four vehicles had crashed into the vehicle. The police report information was not available. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer

NHTSA complaint #11683688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Benton, AR

AIR BAGS

As I was pulling away from the stop sign my power steering quit working and I was almost hit by another vehicle. The dash light flashed and said there was Drive System problems. I was able to get the truck turned back around and headed back home. I got into my garage and checked the power steering fluid and it was full. I started my truck back up and was able to drive to the dealership (Everett GMC where I purchased the truck new) The service representative said he will put it on the diagnostic machine and find out what was wrong. The next day they called me and said they found out what it was a drive gear that quit working. He said that he would get this ordered and put it in, I got a call 2 days later and said it was finished. My wife checked to see if there was a recall. There was a recall for this problem for 2015 Canyon in 2021 for the same issue. I am thinking that this issue and a very

NHTSA complaint #11675167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon Bass Lake, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

Second email and attempt Truck is sitting untouched after a major accident. Please reach back [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11629802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon Bass Lake, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

Nov 14 2024 my truck steering locked up and lost lighting/ front lights including interior and crash into another vehicle head on going 65 mph. Also no airbag deployed. I hit my chest hard. Need help. Water damaged now after I crashed and now won’t start. Smoke wire smells so disconnected battery. I feel unsafe taking this vehicle in repair without any recalls. This happen all at one time, still paying the loan on the vehicle. Paid almost 29,000. Been in no fault account. Help. Need help reporting issues to insurance to fix the crashed truck or total loss this model. Was scary

NHTSA complaint #11628468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 GMC Canyon at 14,000 miles Delta, PA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at 45–50 MPH, he was blinded by the sun and crashed into the rear of a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The air bags did not deploy. The contact noticed that the service air bag message was displayed on his app after the crash. The contact sustained injuries to his head and cervical spine, and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

NHTSA complaint #11590518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 GMC Canyon at 58,000 miles Aurora, CO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, he crashed into the vehicle in front. The contact stated that the vehicle was switching lanes abruptly, and did not have enough time to slow down or stop. No warning lights were illuminated on the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a yard by the police department. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back, arm, neck, fractured ribs, lung, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA complaint #11564168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 GMC Canyon at 150 miles Blasdell, NY

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the “Service Safety Restraint System” message was displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150.

NHTSA complaint #11550460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 GMC Canyon at 150 miles Blasdell, NY

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the “Service Safety Restraint System” message was displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150.

NHTSA complaint #11550460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 GMC Canyon at 25,000 miles Bakersfield, CA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the diagnosis was that that evaporative emission control system purge control had malfunctioned. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the diagnosis was that the front driver side air bag had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 25,000.

NHTSA complaint #11544237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Hammond, IN

AIR BAGS

July 30, 2021 airbag warning - dealer replaced left front impact sensor mileage 33905 March 9, 2022 rough idling and stalling - dealer replaced evap purge solenoid valve mileage 39067 April 20, 2023 airbag warning - dealer replaced right front impact sensor and air bag module mileage 44496

NHTSA complaint #11524997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Akron, OH Crash

AIR BAGS

I have a power steering failure.I also have a fuel problem while pumping gas, the truck doesn’t want to start.

NHTSA complaint #11479321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 GMC Canyon Reno, NV

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

I was on dirt forest road that was not a trail, I went through a ditch at about 3MPH and my side airbags blew. As a result the seatbelt pre tension device was also activated and the seat heaters no longer work.

NHTSA complaint #11459854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Durham, NC Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

On September 14, 2021, my 2016 GMC Canyon struck another vehicle from behind going approximately 55 MPH and the airbags did not deploy. Every mechanic and insurance adjuster has stated that the airbags should have deployed in this collision.

NHTSA complaint #11442268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 GMC Canyon Kremmling, CO Crash 4 injured

AIR BAGS

I was involved in a MVA with another car. The other car had all their airbags deploy after they struck me. None of my airbags deployed. I was hit in the right front corner ahead of my right tire. The secondary impact was to my right side between my rear passenger door and rear tire. They hit me with enough force to bend the frame of my truck, crack my engine block and the appraisal from the repair shop came to over $34K without any engine work. I was the only one in my vehicle, thankfully. I am not sure how many occupants were in the other vehicle. But they were transported to the hospital by ambulance. My wife took me in our other vehicle. I was diagnosed with a concussion, assorted bruises, aches and pains. What troubles me is that while my airbags didn't deploy, the other vehicles did! I was spun 90* to 180* from the way I was traveling. (I don't recall any portion of the accident, I was planning on making a right hand turn and I ended up the opposite way from the way I intended to go. I fell that there was sufficient force involved to have my airbags deploy and I did contact GMC to make them aware of it as well.

NHTSA complaint #11438689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 GMC Canyon at 10,000 miles Langhorne, PA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS FRONT END COLLISION THAT TOTALED MY VEHICLE. MY TRUCK WAS DEEMED NOT REPAIRABLE AND DECLARED TOTAL BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS DRIVING ON THE NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. NOT ONE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED!

NHTSA complaint #11415175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 GMC Canyon at 101,000 miles Port Crane, NY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR I WAS REAR ENDED WHICH PUSHED MY TRUCK INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AHEAD OF ME SO HARD IT MADE MY TRUCK AIRBORNE AND ROLLED 6 TIMES THRU A CITY INTERSECTION. THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS CRUSHED ALMOST TO NOTHING OUT OF THE 4 VEHICLES INVOLVED MINE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHERE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTRIBUTING TO ALL THE INJURIES I SUSTAINED AND I WAS THE ONLY WHO HAD INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #11397427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other GMC Canyon problems