The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,974 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota Tacoma 942008 Chevrolet Colorado 422008 Ford Ranger
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V575000 (child seat) and 09V310000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- GMC sent dealers 954 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent mil/ses/ dtc p2138 with reduced engine power (repair instrument panel (ip)”?
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 2 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 →
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 954 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent mil/ses/ dtc p2138 with reduced engine power (repair instrument panel (ip)
- The driver or passenger side door glass is inoperative; has a binding condition or a rattling
- Chevrolet/gmc: the driver or passenger side door glass is inoperative, has a binding condition…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- 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…
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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl.
Every GMC Canyon year. 2008 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=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 GMC Canyon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 GMC Canyon reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,974 were sold in the U.S. in 2008 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 GMC Canyon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (50%), seats (50%) and suspension (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Canyon have?
2 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 2008 GMC Canyon get?
15 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 GMC Canyon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 GMC Canyon cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 GMC Canyon have?
2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl.
What GMC Canyon year is better than the 2008?
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