2012 GMC Canyon Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2012 GMC Canyon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 124,393 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 12V594000 2012-12-19 118,800 affected
Defect

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary…

Consequence

If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

SEAT BELTS 11V552000 2011-11-17 5,593 affected
Defect

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE…

Consequence

THE LOOSE CONNECTIONS MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT RECEIVE A VISUAL OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8
AIR BAGS
2
1crashes1fires1injuries
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1
Total complaints30

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns a 2012 gmc canyon. The contact noticed that there was wiring appearing from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear sub frame was rusted and cracked. Additionally, the parking brake cable was hanging from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated.…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2024-05-07

“On all chevy / canyon models 05 thru 12 there is an issue called "passlock" which prevents the vehicle from starting, it will leave you stranded. The failure is the ignition housing with the passlock sensor, not the actual key / tumbler, the part has to be replaced. The problem / failure is so…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2024-01-10

“On all chevy / canyon models 05 thru 12 there is an issue called "passlock" which prevents the vehicle from starting, it will leave you stranded. The failure is the ignition housing with the passlock sensor, not the actual key / tumbler, the part has to be replaced. The problem / failure is so…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2024-01-10

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2023-01-18

“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.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2022-09-01

“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.”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2022-09-01

“The passcode anti-theft system randomly triggers when attempting to start the vehicle. When it triggers, the vehicle cannot be started for at least 10 minutes. I have had this system trigger multiple times at home, at the grocery store, and at a gas station. I am afraid that the device will…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · reported 2022-08-04

“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…”

STEERING · reported 2020-06-03
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 GMC Canyon as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.