Model year guide

2012 GMC Canyon

Q: Does the 2012 GMC Canyon have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 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.

Q: What is the 2012 GMC Canyon safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 GMC Canyon crash-test ratings of rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

Q: What gas mileage does the 2012 GMC Canyon get?

The 2012 GMC Canyon has U.S. EPA estimates of 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (16 versions).

Q: How much is a 2012 GMC Canyon worth?

Comparable 2012 GMC Canyon listings run roughly $14,400–$21,900, typically around $17,952 (from 17 vehicles).

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 GMC Canyon is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 17 on record.

2012 GMC Canyon — representative photo — Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 GMC Canyon at a glance

Safety recalls2

Owner complaints29

Combined16–21 mpg

Typical price$17,952

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

2012 GMC Canyon recalls 2

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch NHTSA Campaign #12V594000 · manufacturer #12319 · 19/12/2012

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.

Fix: General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC…

Seat Belts:front NHTSA Campaign #11V552000 · manufacturer #11322 · 17/11/2011

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS THAT DO NOT FIT SNUGLY WITH T…

Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

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.

2012 GMC Canyon common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 29 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.

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.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2012 GMC Canyon safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

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 2012 GMC Canyon PU/CC AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 GMC Canyon MPG & running costs

Combined16–21 mpg

City16 mpg

Highway22 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$3,644

EPA size classSmall Pickup Trucks 2WD

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,219 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 16 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2012 GMC Canyon worth?

Low

$14,400

Typical price

$17,952

High

$21,900

From 17 comparable 2012 GMC Canyon listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 GMC Canyon costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,220

Depreciation (5 yrs)$10,200

Total$28,420

Per mile$0.38

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($17,952) with the same model 5 model-years older ($7,766), from CarLogs listing data. 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 2012 GMC Canyon — ranges cover the 6 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 1322

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 1322.