ES
Makes›GMC›Canyon›2012

2012 GMC Canyon

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

GMC Canyon
Pictured: 2022 GMC Canyon Elevation, front 4.4.23. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Cab S/Box 2WD /Sle, Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sle, Ext Cab S/Box 2WD /Sle, Ext Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sle
Engines
2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
21 combined · 18 city / 25 hwy
Length
191.7–207.1 in
Curb weight
3,358–4,001 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 GMC Canyon is a small pickup truck offered with 3 engines (2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl and 5.3L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 207 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 126-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,752 lb (Crew Cab S/Box 2WD /Sle).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 10% better than the 2012 small pickup truck average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Canyon — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Canyon →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Cab S/Box 2WD /Sle207.1 in68.5 in65.4 in126 in59.8 / 60.2 in3,752 lb57/43
Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sle207.1 in68.5 in68.1 in126 in59.8 / 60.2 in4,001 lb57/43
Ext Cab S/Box 2WD /Sle207.1 in67.7 in65 in126 in58.3 / 58.3 in3,607 lb57/43
Ext Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sle207.1 in67.7 in67.7 in126 in58.3 / 58.3 in3,803 lb57/43
Reg Cab S/Box 2WD /Sle191.7 in67.7 in65 in111 in58.7 / 59.1 in3,358 lb57/43
Reg Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sle191.7 in67.7 in67.7 in111 in58.7 / 59.1 in3,622 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Canyon 2WD2.9L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 21+10%$3,200423
Canyon 2WD2.9L 4-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21+10%$3,200423
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD2.9L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 21+10%$3,200423
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD2.9L 4-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21+10%$3,200423
Canyon 4WD2.9L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 20+12%$3,350444
Canyon 4WD2.9L 4-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20+12%$3,350444
Canyon 2WD3.7L 5-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19-1%$3,550468
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD3.7L 5-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19-1%$3,550468
Canyon 4WD3.7L 5-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19+6%$3,550468
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD3.7L 5-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18+1%$3,700494
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD3.7L 5-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18+1%$3,700494
Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 2WD3.7L 5-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17-11%$3,950523
Canyon 2WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 16-16%$4,200555
Canyon Crew Cab 2WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 16-16%$4,200555
Canyon 4WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-11%$4,200555
Canyon Crew Cab 4WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-11%$4,200555
Spend $4,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.1 MPG2012 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 GMC Canyon.

Similar 2012 small pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 GMC Canyon (this car)21 MPGNot rated2
2012 Ford F-15019 MPGNot rated4
2012 Chevrolet Colorado21 MPGNot rated2
2012 Nissan Frontier21 MPGNot rated3
2012 Honda Ridgeline17 MPGNot rated11
2012 Suzuki Equator21 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (2)

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · Dec 19, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V594000 · 118,800 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
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 at 1-866-996-9463.
Seat Belts › Front · Nov 17, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V552000 · 5,593 vehicles

Problem
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 THE CONNECTOR PINS, CAUSING THE CONNECTION TO BE INTERMITTENT.
Risk
THE LOOSE CONNECTIONS MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT RECEIVE A VISUAL OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 GMC Canyon is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

20Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
70,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System7
Air Bags2
Steering2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Engine1
Tires › Tread/Belt1
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/05: 115/06: 216/03: 116/09: 218/05: 118/08: 118/10: 118/12: 119/02: 119/11: 120/06: 222/02: 122/08: 123/01: 124/03: 124/05: 125/09: 115/0516/0918/1019/1122/0824/05max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 GMC Canyon buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Steering — 2 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 70,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 GMC Canyon. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Canyon years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Canyon20213 inNot rated28
2025 Canyon20213 in★★★★★28
2024 Canyon20213 in★★★★★3207
2023 Canyon20213 in★★★★★362
2022 Canyon23224.8 in★★★★★128
2021 Canyon23224.8 in★★★★★212
2020 Canyon23224.8 in★★★★★014
2019 Canyon23224.8 in★★★★★017
2018 Canyon25224.8 in★★★★★153
2017 Canyon25224.8 in★★★★★166
2016 Canyon25224.8 in★★★★★4271
2015 Canyon22224.8 in★★★★★8303

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →