AI DamageGMC Canyon: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the GMC Canyon across 11 model years: 737 owner complaints and 1,959 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 29% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 23% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- Steering: 211 complaints (29% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 152.
- Exterior lighting: 171 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 119.
- Electrical system: 130 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1,442.
- Powertrain: 114 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 819.
- Engine: 75 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 675.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2015–2022
- 2.7 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2023–2026
- 2.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2004–2006
- 2.9 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2007–2012
- 3.5 L · petrol · 5 cyl 2004–2006
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2015–2022
- 3.7 L · petrol · 5 cyl 2007–2012
- 5.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2009–2012
- 2.8 L · diesel · turbo · 4 cyl 2016–2022named in 13 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 2004–2012
- automatic, 6-speed 2015–2022
- automatic, 8-speed 2017–2026
- manual, 5-speed 2004–2012named in 1 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 2015–2019named in 1 complaints
Drive: RWD, 4WD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 737 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 211 | 4 | 152 |
| Exterior lighting | 171 | 0 | 119 |
| Electrical system | 130 | 2 | 1,442 |
| Powertrain | 114 | 1 | 819 |
| Engine | 75 | 2 | 675 |
| Service brakes | 47 | 0 | 215 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 37 | 1 | 71 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 0 | 67 |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 0 | 18 |
| Air bags | 18 | 10 | 40 |
| Electronic stability control | 17 | 0 | 8 |
| Lane departure | 12 | 0 | 13 |
| Structure | 10 | 0 | 333 |
| Suspension | 9 | 0 | 228 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Crash on 5/5 rear ended car - airbags did not deploy . Received concussion and neck injury.
The air bags did not deploy. The contact noticed that the service air bag message was displayed on his app after the crash. The contact sustained injuries to his head and cervical spine, and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot.
No warning lights were illuminated on the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a yard by the police department. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back, arm, neck, fractured ribs, lung, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was deemed destroyed.
I have a power steering failure.I also have a fuel problem while pumping gas, the truck doesn’t want to start.
On September 14, 2021, my 2016 GMC Canyon struck another vehicle from behind going approximately 55 MPH and the airbags did not deploy. Every mechanic and insurance adjuster has stated that the airbags should have deployed in this collision.
What troubles me is that while my airbags didn't deploy, the other vehicles did! I was spun 90* to 180* from the way I was traveling. (I don't recall any portion of the accident, I was planning on making a right hand turn and I ended up the opposite way from the way I intended to go.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This document assists GM dealer technicians with diagnosing torque converter concerns to ensure torque…
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the SES MIL and DTC P062B and engineering is…
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers to not replace any parts at this time
- This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent…
- General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall
- General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall
- This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a…
- Emission Recall
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that GM is aware of the issue and the…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2026 GMC Canyon Elevation | A Base Model Worth $40K!?amount per author: 42,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- 2016 GMC canyon or Chevy Colorado purge valve replacement
- 2016 GMC Canyon Rebuild - Can it be done
- Working the bugs out on this 2018 GMC Canyon. Literally.. #mechanic #shop #diagnosis
- 2023 GMC Canyon Denali Front Hit Went CHEAP?! #gmc #gmccanyon
- Do the issues ever end with the 2023 gmc canyon. #gmc #mechanic
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.