Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 GMC Canyon, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 15% |
| Air bags | 4 | 8% |
| Structure | 3 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Engine | 2 | 4% |
| Engine | 2 | 4% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The Passlock System intermittently fails and prevents the fuel pump from pumping fuel to the engine. Even after paying GMC to repair the truck, the problem persists.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Frame is severely rusting, especially on the driver’s side. Vehicle has only approximately 75,000 miles and has been well maintained. Purchased new by my Father and when he died, it was passed on to me. I feel it may bec
NHTSA complaint: Structure
My ABS on Rightside of my truck is not working that is what they said anyways not sure what is wrong
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2006 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that the rear sub-frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The local dealer was not co
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP. THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER WAITING AN
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I HAVE A 2006 GMC CANYON AND THE ISSUE IS THE CAR SWITCHES INTO SECURITY MODE A FOR NO REASON VEHICLE WILL NOT START OR WON'T CRANK AT ALL AND IT ONLY GETS WORSE THERE ARE A FEW YOUTUBE VIDEOS SHOWING HOW TO BYPASS SECUR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I LIFTED THE TRUCK ON A HYDRAULIC LIFT TO FIND THE SOURCE OF A RATTLE THATS USUALLY A HEAT SHIELD THAT HAS COME LOOSE BUT TO MY SURPRISE I ALSO FOUND THE FRAME OF THIS TRUCK HAS LITERAL HOLES ROTTED THROUGH WITH THE RESP
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
ABS FAULT LIGHT IS ON TO INFORM THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THIS OF COURSE DISABLES THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. THE COMPUTER READS ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPL
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 GMC Canyon. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 AND EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT 60/40 SPLIT BENCH SEAT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY
Risk: BOTH NHTSA AND GM DISCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A FRONT SEAT. NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY REQUIRE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A RESTRAINT IN THE FRONT CENTER SEATING P
Fix: DEALERS WILL CUT A HOLE INTO THE BACK PANEL TRIM COVER TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT POSITION AND WILL PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AS TO USE IN THE OWNER'S M
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP (CHMSL) IS AFFECTED IN BOTH INSTANCES. ALSO, IF EQUIPPED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. ANY TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS WHICH AR
Risk: A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
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 IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIP
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIO
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES
CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
Risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTA
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 84 | excellent |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 7 of them (15%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.