GMC Canyon

5. The dash lights did not go off after the truck was turned off for 4 hours, and I could not turn them off till I restarted the truck. That only happened once so the code was deleted.

I talked with several people that had their car - truck in for service when I had it in the first time and many had electrical problems. Most had tail lights that would turn off at times. I have started taking videos when a problem when it happens!

My mother and I came out from a car wash, waited for the guys to dry it, went to start it and nothing. The truck would not start, no click(s), all the lights worked, but nothing. I assumed something got wet in the car wash. The owner came out and after about 15 minutes we decided to try and jump it. It did start, and cycled to the volts on the dash and found erratic readings (8.7-15.8). Again, I assumed something got wet, so we drove home. The next day we went to Lowe's and again the truck would not start. I read the night before in the manual that the security system cycles after 10 minutes, so we waited and the truck started. I decided to drive to the Findlay GMC in Prescott since I still needed to make it to NM in a few days to start a new job.

Findlay told me my battery needed to be charged, so they did that. I drove it home, and the next morning the truck would not start. I waited for 30 minutes and it randomly started and drove it to Findlay GMC. They changed a starter relay and told me it was fixed and I drove away to NM. A week later, I've started my new job, and I go outside and the truck doesn't start again. I call my new boss and say I'll be late. The truck eventually starts and I take it to Quality Buick GMC in NM. They tell me I need a new battery. They replace it, and send me on my way. The next day, it won't start again in a parking lot. I call for a tow, the wait is 3 hours, however a guy sees my hood up and asks if I need a jump. The truck get jump started and I drive it to the dealer.

Quality Buick GMC says my canopy is causing the problem and that anything they do will not be covered under warranty. Of course I call the canopy installer and he laughs and says we've installed thousands of canopies and you'd be the first that has had electrical problems from their install. I disconnect the canopy power completely. The truck doesn't start. I have it towed to Quality Buick GMC. They replace a starter relay again, and watch the new relay burn out before their eyes. They replace the starter relay again with a different manufacturer under advice from the Technical Assistance Center (TAC). The truck runs fine for a few more days and then leaves me stranded again. I have it towed again to Quality and they are surprised to see me back.

We have ruled out the canopy, the battery, and replaced the starter relay 3 times. This time the TAC tells them to replace the positive and negative cables from the battery, the starter, and the frame. This installation required the removal of a motor mount and various other components. They give the truck back to me and it kind of fails to start. I turn the key and nothing, however the second time the truck starts. It does this another time during the day but does start. Then, while I'm driving to work a new dash light comes on and a message that says the theft deterrent system needs to be serviced. I bring it back to the dealer and they scratch their heads; by this time everyone at the dealer knows me and this truck, they give me another loaner car.

2 weeks later they call me to say the truck is fixed. They said they found to ground wires that are attached to the engine block that were not tightened down properly. So, I've had the truck for 2 days with no issues at the moment. The dealer explained that all the major car manufactures have got out of the customer service industry and that they really don't care about the consumer especially since lemons are rare. I can absolutely confirm that at least GMC customer care is a joke. The 1-800 # dials the Philippines and someone reading a script. They can't actually help at all, but refer you to a senior specialist that calls 2ish days later and advises they are reviewing your case and will contact you later.

Meanwhile, you may or may not a vehicle to drive, making payments on a vehicle you can't drive, and someone cares at all. Super frustrating to say the least! I called the salesman I bought the truck from, and of course they have never heard of say problems and whispers the secret customer service 1-800 # that's in the back of the manual that takes you to the Philippines. A Dave Smith Motors customer care specials did eventually call back to say to follow the steps in the back of the manual which is to get the vehicle repaired by a GMC dealer and then contact the BBB.org. I mentioned the lemon law on several occasions to the dealer and the GMC customer service.

The dealer said the law is a joke and good luck with that and the GMC customer service person read some script basically saying that if I involve a lawyer that they would no longer talk to me. So here I am 3 months into a new lemon, 1/3 of which I haven't had in my possession and GMC calls today to offer me a free vehicle inspection and offer to repair anything they find that is wrong with the truck? What? I explained that I already have this with the GM warranty. So, really no offer to replace, trade, or refund my money. I requested a replacement vehicle (the exact vehicle). I did file a BBB case which is actually quite painless other than a few hours of your time.

I used an analogy to reconcile with just about all the players in this story; You buy a $1000 TV from Best Buy, You bring it home and use it for a night or 2 and then it doesn't come on. You call the customer service line and they say check this, check that and finally tell you to bring it back. They don't give you a replacement TV, they give you a new power cord and tell you it’s fixed. You bring it home and it doesn't turn on. You bring it back and they say they'll have their tech look at it. They replace a part and say it's fixed. You bring the thing home again and it doesn't work! Meanwhile you don't have TV and you are out $1000 and countless hours of your time. The tech continues to work on your TV... Now multiply this by 40! No one will buy your TV and you get it replaced. Do you think you would ever go to Best Buy again?

This doesn't seem to bother anyone at GMC. I just have to say the dealers have to listen to your rant because corporate doesn't care if your vehicle runs or not, your bank doesn't care if vehicle runs, but if you show up too many times late to work I bet your boss fires you. Both Findlay and Quality GMC service were awesome to work with. They occasionally see this situation and are powerless to help other than work on your lemon. VIN# **

I fixed the ABS with brakes, rotors, hubs and sensors ($1300.00). Battery & alternator ($400.00) and still the light comes on. Tuned up engine with plugs, coils, O2-sensor, & Variable Valve timing actuator (VVT) $300.00. Still misses at idle and generates codes. At Low and high speeds it runs great and gets good mileage. As I search the Internet I see a lot of other 2004-2006 Canyon owners who have had similar issues & experiences. I would never knowingly buy a vehicle that 100,000 miles is the time for the scrap yard. I expect vehicles to last 20 years and 150,000. General Motors should do better.

Fuel economy is not as good as I expected although if I drive conservatively (which is a little difficult) it gets 23 to 24 mpg pretty easily, but so does my v8 Sierra. So, that's not real impressive. The truck kind of makes me feel like I am driving a large go-kart, which is fun. I did also test drive a diesel version of this truck, and it was not impressive. Rough idle even for a diesel, and underpowered at freeway speed. The torque was not particularly impressive either but I did not tow anything during that drive. I would recommend the V6, if you are considering both. More fun and probably less issues and maintenance down the road. I think this truck would be pretty great for new drivers (with the 4 cyl) and for people who aren't comfortable with driving a full size truck for whatever reason. It seems capable enough to do most truck related things well. You probably won't save any gas with the v6z though.

I did notice that this truck did not have a receiver hitch, which I found odd. The interior quality is good to excellent. Very similar to the full size. The interior door handles are a bit small. The dash is also really short, and the ac fan is relatively loud. The controls are easier to reach than the Sierra. There is plenty of leg and headroom, but I am 5'11", so if you're taller by 3 to 4" that may not be the case for you. The audio system is adequate with 6 speakers. Moderate intensity bass vibrates the mirrors. The speakers themselves are loud enough and have decent sound quality. The rearview camera has good resolution and has a trailering line to center the ball with the hitch of the trailer.

The low beam headlights are pretty dim, and yellow. High beams are required especially if there are no streetlights. The brakes are excellent and bite well. I have noticed that it's pretty easy to spin the rear tires even with traction control, and the rear end is light and subject to skipping over bumps and gravel. Incidentally, the Denali trim of this model was not much nicer than the SLE trim, so take that into account as it does increase the price considerably. It looks nicer on the outside though. Overall it's a pretty capable truck if you don't need or want a full size truck.