2012 GMC Canyon — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 GMC Canyon is a pickup offered with 3 engines (2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) / 21 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 19–25 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a GMC Canyon workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 GMC Canyon: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 25 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.9L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.9L 4-cyl · 3.7L 5-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 4-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 25 combined / 22 urban / 29 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 21 combined / 18 city / 24 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 263 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,200 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 8 configurations for the 2012 GMC Canyon across 3 engines (2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 16 to 21 mpg (US), or 19 to 25 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (17/23) | 276 | $3,350 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (18/24) | 263 | $3,200 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (18/24) | 276 | $3,350 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (18/25) | 263 | $3,200 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/21) | 307 | $3,700 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/23) | 291 | $3,550 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 16 (14/19) | 345 | $4,200 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 16 (15/20) | 345 | $4,200 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 GMC Canyon
Running Costs: 2012 GMC Canyon
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 GMC Canyon at 25 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,455 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 GMC Canyon Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 GMC Canyon (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Latches/locks/linkages (1), Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Latches/locks/linkages — campaign 12V594000, reported 19 December 2012. 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.
- Seat belts — campaign 11V552000, reported 17 November 2011. 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.
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Canyon. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (10), Air bags (4), Unspecified (4). Complaints include 1 reported crash, 1 reported fire, 1 reported injury. That is close to the median of 26 complaints across the 15 GMC Canyon model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 GMC Canyon
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Electrical system (10 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Doors & latches (1 recall campaign) — Test every door, boot and bonnet latch and the central locking.
- Seat belts (1 recall campaign) — Check every belt latches and retracts properly and that any restraint recalls were completed.
- Air bags (4 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the GMC Canyon compare to similar pickups? Pickups in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 0 mpg. Its 263 g/km CO₂ figure is 20 g/km lower than the 283 g/km average for pickups on this site. This comparison is based on 264 pickups in our dataset.
At 25 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 26 mpg average for GMC models in our database.
Of the 15 GMC Canyon model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 9th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (25 mpg UK combined, against a high of 30 mpg). See every GMC Canyon year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 GMC Canyon
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 GMC Canyon have?
EPA lists 3 engines for the 2012 GMC Canyon: 2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.9L 4-cyl with a automatic 4-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 GMC Canyon?
The most efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, or 21 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 19 to 25 mpg.
How much does the 2012 GMC Canyon cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 GMC Canyon (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Latches/locks/linkages (1), Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 GMC Canyon?
Among the 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (10 complaints), Air bags (4 complaints), Unspecified (4 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the GMC Canyon's fuel economy good for a pickup?
It returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the pickups we track.