general problems of the 2008 GMC Canyon

1. "theft deterrent" illuminates and truck will not start. Have to wait 10 minutes with key in the "acc" position and then it starts. Happens often at least 2 times a week. Also, while I am driving the "theft deterrent" illuminates at least 4 times a week while highway driving but luckily the truck does not stall or stop.

The initial problem is that the vehicle ignition engages on its own while parked without the key being in the ignition. I would notice the radio playing on occasion. When I opened the door the bells sound like the key is in the ignition but it is not. On other occasions the battery would just be drained dead. I took it in to several different GMC dealer several times and each time I was told since they could not duplicate the problem there was nothing they could do. Soon after, and this has occurred on several occasions, the cruise control would disengage while driving down the highway. On several other occasions the security light lights in the dashboard. Note: this vehicle does not have a security system. The light would clear when I stopped the truck and restarted it. For several years since I have been going through taillight bulbs at a rate of about one per month. Finally a GMC dealer discovered that the plug for the light bulb had melted / burned. All these incidents seem related to the ignition / electrical system and seem too similar to all the other issues recalled to not have been included in previous recalls.