There are 3 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2008 GMC Canyonin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Carrier Bearing ( Hanger Bearing) broken off mounts. Bearing is mounted via spot welds. The spot weld were not done properly. Was driving at about 30 MPH slowing down when the bearing broke loose from the mounts. The caused the drive shaft to swing about hitting the floor boards. Breaking the universal joint and drive shaft came apart. There was less that 300 miles on the bearing. The truck typical hauls one bicycle. The truck was not used in any commercial function. I'm retired and like to ride my bicycle. I was very lucky in the that I was slowing down for a light. The road I was one is 55MPH. If the drive shat had hit the ground at that speed I'm certain there would have been a very serious accident involving many vehilces.
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE BECAME DISCONNECTED. WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED TO PARK THE TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN DRIVE AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY. UPON INSPECTION THE CABLE WAS HANGING LOOSE AND WHATEVER KIND OF RETAINING CLIP SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE WAS GONE. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SA,E ISSUE AS RECALL #11181 FOR 2011 MODELS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE AVS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,963.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026