Model year guide

2008 GMC Canyon

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 GMC Canyon is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2008 GMC Canyon — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 GMC Canyon at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints42
Combined15–20 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2008 GMC Canyon recalls 2

Child Seat NHTSA Campaign #10V575000 · manufacturer #10367 · 18/11/2010

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 AND EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT 60/40 SPLIT BENCH SEAT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE TOP TE…

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 MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER…

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #09V310000 · manufacturer #09049 · 29/07/2009

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 IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, PUERTO RICO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND UTAH. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A…

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 REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS W…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2008 GMC Canyon common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

2008 GMC Canyon safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★

Rollover risk: 17.9% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2008 GMC Canyon Extended Cab. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2008 GMC Canyon MPG & running costs

Combined15–20 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,696
EPA size classSmall Pickup Trucks 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,479 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 12 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 GMC Canyon costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,480
Fuel only$18,480
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
191.7–207.1 in
Width
67.7–68.5 in
Height
65.0–68.1 in
Wheelbase
111.0–126.0 in
Curb weight
3,358–4,001 lb
Front track
58.3–59.8 in
Rear track
58.3–60.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2008 GMC Canyon — ranges cover the 6 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 958

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 958.

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

Bulletin 13598 · Sep 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060,…

Bulletin PIC5650M · Aug 2025

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

Bulletin PIP5601C · Jul 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

Bulletin PIT5074R · May 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

Bulletin PIT5074R · May 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

Bulletin PIT5074R · May 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment…

Bulletin PIP5358D · Feb 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing t…

Bulletin PIT5074Q · Dec 2024

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723J · Electrical System · Oct 2024

This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.

Bulletin 04-06-04-051J · Engine · Sep 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CANYON RWD/AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2008 GMC Canyon. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Accessories

*** This notice is provided for information purposes only as the subject equipment is not regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act *** A safety defect may exist in aftermarket ACDelco brake shoes manufactured between April 1st 2013 to April 19 2014, sold and/or installed as service replacement parts. The lining of the rear brake shoe may detach from the steel shoe during no…

Transport Canada #2014492 · Oct 2014

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles with regular or extended cab without a rear seat, and equipped with a front 60/40 split bench seat, fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 210.1 - User-ready Tether Anchorages for Restraint Systems. The child restraint top tether anchor for the front centre seat position in these vehicles is not accessible as required by the Standard. Without t…

Transport Canada #2010418 · Nov 2010

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the GMC Canyon

The Chevrolet Colorado is a series of compact pickup trucks and mid-size pickup trucks marketed by American automaker General Motors. They were introduced in 2004 to replace the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC S-15/Sonoma compact pickups. The Colorado is named after the U.S. state of Colorado, while the Canyon took its name from the deep chasm between cliffs.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2008 GMC Canyon trims & engines on record

Trims
SL · SLE
Engines
2.9L 4-cyl

2008 GMC Canyon vehicles on record

Other GMC Canyon model years

2008 GMC Canyon — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 GMC Canyon have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 GMC Canyon. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 GMC Canyon?

Across all 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, service brakes.

What is the 2008 GMC Canyon safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2008 GMC Canyon crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 4★, rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2008 GMC Canyon get?

The 2008 GMC Canyon has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (12 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.