2008 GMC Canyon
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

- Class
- Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Body styles
- Crew Cab S/Box 2WD /Sl, Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sl/Sle, Ext Cab S/Box 2WD /Sl/Sle, Ext Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sl/Sle
- Engines
- 2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 18 city / 24 hwy
- Length
- 191.7–207.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,358–4,001 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
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 9 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 GMC Canyon is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.9L 4-cyl and 3.7L 5-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-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 /Sl).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 24 highway), 6% better than the 2008 small pickup truck average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Canyon — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Canyon →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab S/Box 2WD /Sl | 207.1 in | 68.5 in | 65.4 in | 126 in | 59.8 / 60.2 in | 3,752 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sl/Sle | 207.1 in | 68.5 in | 68.1 in | 126 in | 59.8 / 60.2 in | 4,001 lb | 57/43 |
| Ext Cab S/Box 2WD /Sl/Sle | 207.1 in | 67.7 in | 65 in | 126 in | 58.3 / 58.3 in | 3,607 lb | 57/43 |
| Ext Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sl/Sle | 207.1 in | 67.7 in | 67.7 in | 126 in | 58.3 / 58.3 in | 3,803 lb | 57/43 |
| Reg Cab S/Box 2WD /Sl/Sle | 191.7 in | 67.7 in | 65 in | 111 in | 58.7 / 59.1 in | 3,358 lb | 57/43 |
| Reg Cab S/Box 4X4 /Sl/Sle | 191.7 in | 67.7 in | 67.7 in | 111 in | 58.7 / 59.1 in | 3,622 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +6% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Canyon 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +6% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +6% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +6% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Canyon 4WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | +12% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Canyon 2WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -5% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 2WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -5% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Canyon 4WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | +6% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Canyon 4WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | 0% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 4WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | 0% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Canyon Crew Cab 4WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | 0% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Canyon Cab Chassis Inc 2WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | -21% | $4,450 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 GMC Canyon under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 small pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 GMC Canyon (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Ford F-150 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Toyota Tacoma | 22 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Colorado | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Nissan Frontier | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Honda Ridgeline | 17 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2008 Mazda B Pickup | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Child Seat · Nov 18, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V575000 · 192,676 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE AND THE OWNER MANUAL DOES NOT INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING HOW TO USE THE TOP TETHER.
- Risk
- BOTH NHTSA AND GM DISCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A FRONT SEAT. NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY REQUIRE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A RESTRAINT IN THE FRONT CENTER SEATING POSITION OF THIS VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT OFFER A REAR SEAT. LACK OF ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR AND A LACK OF INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW TO USE IT, MAY RESULT IN IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESTRAINT'S PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEATED IN THE RESTRAINT.
- 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR VISIT GM'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Not every 2008 GMC Canyon is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 GMC Canyon buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 13 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Service Brakes — 6 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 75,963 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 GMC Canyon. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Canyon years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Canyon | 20 | 213 in | Not rated | 2 | 8 |
| 2025 Canyon | 20 | 213 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 8 |
| 2024 Canyon | 20 | 213 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 207 |
| 2023 Canyon | 20 | 213 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 62 |
| 2022 Canyon | 23 | 224.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 28 |
| 2021 Canyon | 23 | 224.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 12 |
| 2020 Canyon | 23 | 224.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 14 |
| 2019 Canyon | 23 | 224.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 17 |
| 2018 Canyon | 25 | 224.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 53 |
| 2017 Canyon | 25 | 224.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 66 |
| 2016 Canyon | 25 | 224.8 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 271 |
| 2015 Canyon | 22 | 224.8 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 303 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →