The Lemon Index
201020121st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 9,590 in the U.S. in 2011 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
4 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Toyota Tacoma 282011 Chevrolet Colorado 362011 Ford Ranger 11
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 12V594000 (latches/locks/linkages), 11V337000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 11V276000 (visibility) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- GMC sent dealers 1262 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Due to the parasitic drain/discharge on 2011 vehicles and trucks, a no crank/no start”?
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 4 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 1262 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to the parasitic drain/discharge on 2011 vehicles and trucks, a no crank/no start
- On some trucks and passenger vehicles, accessory power outlets (apo) and trailer lighting are
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2012
113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.9 OR 3.7 LITER ENGINE AND A FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUI…
- Visibility · recall issued 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010.
Show all 5 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VE…
- 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 …
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Canyon PU/RC AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/EC AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/CC AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/RC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/EC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/CC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,750 (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, 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every GMC Canyon year. 2011 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-canyon/?y=2011" 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/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 GMC Canyon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 GMC Canyon reliable?
We can't score it: only 9,590 were sold in the U.S. in 2011 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2011 GMC Canyon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (25%), lights (25%) and electrical (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Canyon have?
5 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 GMC Canyon get?
16 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 GMC Canyon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 GMC Canyon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 GMC Canyon have?
2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What GMC Canyon year is better than the 2011?
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