CarComplaints.com Notes: While the 2005 GMC Canyon doesn't show any major complaint trends, it's mechanically-identical counterpart is the Chevy Colorado which has some engine problems.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,450 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 GMC Canyon electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 GMC Canyon Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Dec 102017

Canyon

  • 129,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2005 GMC Canyon continues to have issues with the passlock II system. No modifications have been made to the ignition switch, keys, or any other electrical system. The passlock prevents me from starting my truck because for some reason the computer thinks it is trying to be stolen. The last time this issue occured, my truck was parked in my garage. When attempted to start, the truck cranked but did not start and the passlock light came on. I had to sit and wait for 10 minutes until the light went off. The problem was I was trying to drive myself to the emergency room because I had just been bitten by a dog.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

problem #20

Oct 122015

Canyon

  • 50,000 miles
I got a safety bulletin from GMC #14609 stating that there is a problem with my air bag light, . it can go on due to wires in the rear door breaking, the air bag can go off also. This is a safety issue with the air bags, I have the problem with the air bag light on. They said they would fix it or reimburse me if I paid in the past to have it fixed. Well they said I was off of warranty 1-15. This is a safety issue, the dealer will not fix it for free. Why did they send me this bulletin with my VIN number attached? I have had nothing but problems with this GMC truck, you name it it has had a problem. Mostly electrical system failure. The air bag issue should be fixed by GMC free of charge which they state in the letter, there telling me I am a few months past the 10 year dead line. That is a disgrace this is a safety issue and should be covered by GMC if it is a design problem like all the other problems I am having. They are getting away with this and the air bag can go off while driving and cause an accident. I am holding them liable for this problem. What can I do about this they are not helping me with this safety issue. Thanks, tom

- Peabody, MA, USA

problem #19

Jun 222015

Canyon

  • 205,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 GMC Canyon. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 205,000.

- Wareham, MA, USA

problem #18

Jul 012014

Canyon

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Edgewood, MD, USA

problem #17

May 012015

Canyon

  • 64,010 miles
Air conditioning stopped working on fan positions 1,2, and 3 and works only on 4. eight pages of complaints indicated that faulty components were put into truck at factory and should be recalled: Blower motor resistor, wiring harness and poor ground wire. Ac delco part 15-80521 one part requiring replacement.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #16

Jan 312015

Canyon 4WD 8-cyl

  • 96,500 miles
I replaced the fuel filter on my 2005 GMC Canyon as part of regular maintenance. In order to perform the fuel filter replacement I disconnected the negative terminal of the battery. After maintenance, the battery was hooked up. Vehicle now exhibits the following symptoms. 1) drivers side window inoperable. 2) power door locks inoperable from divers side master switch. 3) vehicle does not automatically lock doors when shifted from P to R or D. 4) keyless entry inoperable. This is not the first time this condition has presented itself after unhooking the battery. Possible safety concern over inoperable window and door locks. This problem has been well documented on internet forums with no clear solution. See url links below: coloradofans.com/forums/67-technical-questions-tips-how/78523-door-locks-driver-window-failure.html www.355nation.net/forum/electrical-lighting-security/80882-drivers-window-power-locks.html www.355nation.net/forum/electrical-lighting-security/51161-drivers-power-window-power-door-locks-fixed.html.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

problem #15

Nov 202014

Canyon 4WD 5-cyl

  • 69,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I recently received a recall notice for a 2006 GMC convoy that I owned for a possible defective door module that may cause a short that would cause smoke or a fire. I am having the same problem with my 2005 GMC Canyon pick up. This summer (2014) my driver power window and power locks stopped working. After a couple of days before I could get an appointment to get them fixed, they started working properly. On 21 Nov 14, the issue recurred, my driver power window, and power locks stopped working again. I received a letter from GM stating the identical problem for a 2006 GMC Envoy that I used to own. Is this a coincidence or the same problem?

- Warrensburg, MO, USA

problem #14

Jun 102014

Canyon 5-cyl

  • miles
All the power in the driver's door stopped working - the window won't roll down, door lock/unlock button doesn't work, etc. It also prevents the door lock/unlock remote control from working. I've searched online for possible causes/solutions, and found numerous other owners with the same problem. It seems as though the Canyon has a well-documented history of electrical issues. It's a shame my 16 year old daughter didn't know that before she spent all the money she saved up to buy one.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

problem #13

Jun 012012

Canyon

  • miles
This vehicle uses a resistor for variable speeds (X4) on the ventilation blower. During continuous or frequent use (I.e. defrost, air conditioning) a burning smell develops. The burning smell increases over time after repeated usage and the incremental blower speed circuits are burned out and disabled. The wires are blackened and connectors melted and the plastic connecting base of the resistor is melted and blackened. At times the vehicle wire harness is affected. GM has a "service bulletin" which prescribes a "repair" for this malfunction (I.e. new resistor, pigtail wires and connectors, and a blower replacement if required) ---- but it does not fix the problem and it occurs repeatedly throughout ownership of the vehicle. We had to replace the resistor and wires in this circuit at least 6 times in the last three years. Our Canyon began experiencing this problem at about 85,000 miles. Each replacement (including labor and parts) costs about $150. I contacted GM last year -- they gave me a case number but wanted me to pay out of pocket by the hour for electrical troubleshooting. I also contacted corporate customer service last month when they were advertising new recalls based on service bulletins --- but they were not interested unless an open flame was present in the situation. We eventually bypassed this circuit by installing core wire, a one-way switch, and a fuse. At the very least, this is a distraction. At the worst -- defrost, heat, A/C, all functions involving the blower become disabled and the vehicle harness core wire can become damaged.

- Fairview Heights, IL, USA

problem #12

Jun 012013

Canyon 4-cyl

  • miles
The brake lights have stopped working, turn signals have stopped working, engine will not start, turnover, ABS brake system malfunctions.

- Crawfoedville, FL, USA

problem #11

Jul 052013

Canyon 5-cyl

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The first problem was the ac/heat blower motor would only work on high, had the same switch replaced multiple times. Dealer ship after 4 tries was able to get it working. Then with ABS/traction control lights on dashboard started displaying, took to have repaired they were unable to locate issue. About a week later my car radio would randomly come on after keys were remove from ignition, then also would come on when I would open truck doors. The seatbelt warning bells chime when keys are not in the ignition will stop when the keys are put into the ignition. Also occasional other random warning lights and chimes will ring.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #10

Dec 052013

Canyon

  • 83,000 miles
The heater/ac fan will only work on the highest setting.

- Gardner, KS, USA

problem #9

Jun 152008

Canyon

  • 50,000 miles
Over the past 5 years I have had to place my blower motor, blower motor's resistor, and the connectors for each of these parts to be able to fix my ac. I've searched the web, talked to mechanics, held discussions with various auto-parts employees, and even talked to several Chevy/GMC dealerships, and found that each of them have all seen or herd about this problem many times in the past. This is something that shouldn't be tolerated and really needs to be recalled. The issues I have seen arise with this problem on my personal vehicle could very easily become a fire hazard because of this faulty electrical equipment. I would just like to go one year in this truck without having to worry about my ac's blower motor going out on me. Something really should be done about this. The GMC needs to take responsibility for the products that they put out. The problems for this issue first started around 50,000 miles and I have had the same issue reoccur every 10-15,000 miles ever since.

- Golden Meadow, LA, USA

problem #8

Oct 182012

Canyon 5-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
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...

- Henderson Nc, NC, USA

problem #7

Jun 242010

Canyon

  • 35,000 miles
ABS fault comes on intermittently and GM is not responding to our concerns.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #6

Feb 202010

Canyon

  • 58,000 miles
The plug that controls the HVAC has shorted out causing burn marks in the inside of the connector. This causes the blower to only work on the highest setting (number 4). I had to replace the resistor - P/N 15218254, connector - P/N 15306069, and the wiring harness - P/N 89019124. I am not sure how many times this has been reported, but it might not be a bad idea to check out coloradofans.com. There has been complaints spanning back to 2005 up to today about this.

- Hanover, MD, USA

problem #5

Sep 032009

Canyon

  • 39,672 miles
The resistor in the fan kept burning out and had been replaced. Finally it was determined that the wiring harness was malfunctioning and required replacement. I believe this is a known defect, yet nothing was done by GM.

- Culpeper, VA, USA

problem #4

Jan 142010

Canyon

  • 60,000 miles
I have a 2005 GMC Canyon that I purchased two years ago used with about 30K miles on it. It has 60K miles now and I noticed the brake lights are staying on. I googled and found that this truck is included in a regional recall for this model. I called GM and they told me the VIN is not in the recall and I will have to pay for it. I am having the exact same problem to the letter that the recall addresses. NHTSA should look at making this recall a national recall and not a regional recall.

- Tupelo, MS, USA

problem #3

Jun 162009

Canyon

  • 36,800 miles
Twice the resistor on the A/C heating fan blower switch has malfunctioned. It only works on 4 (lots of noise and strong breeze). It is not covered under warranty. The vehicle on has 37,000 miles on it. The problem is intermittent, although more not working than working by a margin of 80% to 20%.

- Culpeper, VA, USA

problem #2

Jan 042009

Canyon

  • 40,000 miles
2005 GMC Canyon - fire and cross circuits after having burn wire case smells, smoke, indication of airbag failure, fan motor and interior lights remained on after vehicle was shut down it was discovered that a main wire bundle that is subject to abrasion by components of the brake system at a location where the bundle goes through a hole in the fire wall. The vehicle operator may notice changes in the fan speed and other dash indication on left turns, bumps, etc. Before fire and smoke. It should be noted that the short and cross system power feed will not cause system safety fuses to blow. Operator may also notice that the keyless entry system will fail to work or the range will decrease greatly and the fan and interior lights with remain on after the vehicle is shut down and the door is closed. Note: This wire bundle is not properly protected from damage by the brake system parts.

- Holland, MI, USA

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