The Lemon Index
20051st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: suspension
31 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Toyota Tacoma 442004 Chevrolet Colorado 1362004 Dodge Dakota 98
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 GMC Canyon
- Rust / frame corrosion15 complaintsmostly at 78,000–120,000 miles (126,000–193,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 GMC Canyon (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 17 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V575000 (child seat), 09V310000 (lights) and 06V139000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- GMC sent dealers 602 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Squeak or crunch noise from front suspension over bumps”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and GMC's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 31 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 41K miles (4K to 66K km) on the car (17 of all 31 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights failed intermittently. The contact replaced the brake light switch. The dealer was not alerted.
2004 GMC Canyon owner · NHTSA complaint 10171308
More owner reports
Consumer heard a loud knock or bang from underside of 2004 GMC Canyon truck.
NHTSA complaint 10115627
Shimmy, vibration, even small potholes jar the steering to either side.
NHTSA complaint 10141481
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 602 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Squeak or crunch noise from front suspension over bumps
- Vibration highway speed
- Vibration highway speed z71 and z85 suspension
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Child seat · recall issued 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2011, CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006, ISUZU I-280/I-350, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008, I-290/I-370, REGULAR CAB VEHICLES AND EXTENDED CAB VEHICLES WITHOUT A REAR SEAT …
- Lights · recall issued 2009
GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED I…
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake lamp switch malfunction2009
- ClosedInadvertent front airbag deployment2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.5L 5-cyl.
Every GMC Canyon year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-canyon/?y=2004" title="GMC Canyon reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/gmc-canyon/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 GMC Canyon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 GMC Canyon reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 134; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Canyon year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2004 GMC Canyon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (16%), lights (16%) and doors, locks & latches (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 GMC Canyon have?
3 safety recalls (latest: child seat). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 GMC Canyon get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 GMC Canyon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 GMC Canyon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 GMC Canyon have?
2.8L 4-cyl, 3.5L 5-cyl.
What GMC Canyon year is better than the 2004?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2019 drew the fewest (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works