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2016 GMC Canyon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Canyon years

Owner complaints for the 2016 GMC Canyon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 38.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

124 reports with mileage · 144 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 178 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

39 reports
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53,210 miles · May 10, 2021
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION COMMAND WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY OR DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF COLLATION WITH OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SUSPECT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS IS A MAJOR AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE, GM CONTINUES TO IGNORE AND I DO NOT WANT TO BECOME THE NE…

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VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION COMMAND WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY OR DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF COLLATION WITH OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SUSPECT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS IS A MAJOR AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE, GM CONTINUES TO IGNORE AND I DO NOT WANT TO BECOME THE NEXT STATISTIC DEAD IN US HIGHWAYS. THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, DURING A RED TRIANGLE YIELD SIGN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION COMMAND CAUSING A BOTTLE NECK OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND HIGH RISK OF BEING REAR ENDED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION, IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #11415989

49,000 miles · Dec 1, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE FREQUENTLY SHUTS OFF DURING BRAKING OR WHILE STOPPED AND MUST BE RESTARTED BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN OPERATE AGAIN. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIOLENT GEAR CHANGES AND SIGNIFICANT LAGGING DURING PERIODS OF MODERATE ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. GEAR CHANGES RESULT IN EITHER SEVERE UNRESPONSIVENESS AND A GENERAL LACK OF ACCELERATIO…

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VEHICLE FREQUENTLY SHUTS OFF DURING BRAKING OR WHILE STOPPED AND MUST BE RESTARTED BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN OPERATE AGAIN. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIOLENT GEAR CHANGES AND SIGNIFICANT LAGGING DURING PERIODS OF MODERATE ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. GEAR CHANGES RESULT IN EITHER SEVERE UNRESPONSIVENESS AND A GENERAL LACK OF ACCELERATION OR AN AGGRESSIVE GEAR CHANGE THAT JERKS THE VEHICLE AND SPINS THE TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #11377276

50,000 miles · Oct 22, 2020
Power Train

TRANSMISSION CONSISTENTLY SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING IN ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND SPEEDS, AND SOMETIMES GOES TO HIGHER RPMS WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND RESTARTED. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WHEN RECENTLY BROUGHT IN. IT WAS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES. DEALER SAID NOT TO KEEP 4X4 IN AUTO MODE. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER RECEIVING TRUCK BAC…

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TRANSMISSION CONSISTENTLY SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING IN ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND SPEEDS, AND SOMETIMES GOES TO HIGHER RPMS WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND RESTARTED. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WHEN RECENTLY BROUGHT IN. IT WAS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES. DEALER SAID NOT TO KEEP 4X4 IN AUTO MODE. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER RECEIVING TRUCK BACK FROM DEALER, A 4 WHEEL DRIVE WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE OR AUTO. MESSAGE AND PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. SHUDDERING SHOULD NOT OCCUR AND KEEPING IN AUTO MORE DURING RAIN AND COLD WEATHER IS A SAFETY PRECAUTION THAT SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11365740

2 miles · Aug 9, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE THROTTLE AND TRANSMISSION FEEL AS THOUGH THEY WERE SEPARATELY DEVELOPED FOR TWO DIFFERENT VEHICLES AND JUST RANDOMLY MATCHED IN THE TRUCK. THE ACCELERATOR IS VERY NON-LINEAR AND UNRESPONSIVE. THEN THE TRANSMISSION IS CONSTANTLY IN THE WRONG GEAR. THIS TRUCK IS A NIGHTMARE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC OR ON WINDY HILLY ROADS. YOU HAVE…

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THE THROTTLE AND TRANSMISSION FEEL AS THOUGH THEY WERE SEPARATELY DEVELOPED FOR TWO DIFFERENT VEHICLES AND JUST RANDOMLY MATCHED IN THE TRUCK. THE ACCELERATOR IS VERY NON-LINEAR AND UNRESPONSIVE. THEN THE TRANSMISSION IS CONSTANTLY IN THE WRONG GEAR. THIS TRUCK IS A NIGHTMARE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC OR ON WINDY HILLY ROADS. YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY GUESS WHERE YOUR FOOT SHOULD BE TO GET ANY KIND OF STABILITY OR ACCELERATION FROM THE TRUCK. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC YOU BETTER BE PREPARED TO HAVE A LOT OF ROOM BECAUSE IT MIGHT JUST SHAKE AND SHUTTER BEFORE FINDING A GEAR AND ACTUALLY ACCELERATING. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND I FIND IT ODD THAT THERE HAVENT BEEN COLLISIONS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THIS. IF ANYONE FROM GM IS READING THIS, KNOW THIS WILL BE THE LAST GM PRODUCT I EVER BUY. EITHER YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO ENGINEER A VEHICLE, OR YOU SIMPLY JUST DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR CUSTOMERS. IM GUESSING THE LATTER.

NHTSA ODI #11344186

30,000 miles · Mar 5, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

IGNITION WILL NOT FULLY TURN OFF AND RELEASE KEY WHEN TRUCK IS PLACED IN PARK. I'M ADDITION IGNITION AND KEY BECOME VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH AFTER DRIVING FOR OVER 20 MINUTES (TEMP OUTSIDE IS COOL 50-60). TRUCK WILL EVENTUALLY TURN OFF AND RELEASE THE KEY AFTER RESTARTING AND SHIFTING THROUGH ALL GEARS MULTIPLE TIMES (TURNING OFF,…

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IGNITION WILL NOT FULLY TURN OFF AND RELEASE KEY WHEN TRUCK IS PLACED IN PARK. I'M ADDITION IGNITION AND KEY BECOME VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH AFTER DRIVING FOR OVER 20 MINUTES (TEMP OUTSIDE IS COOL 50-60). TRUCK WILL EVENTUALLY TURN OFF AND RELEASE THE KEY AFTER RESTARTING AND SHIFTING THROUGH ALL GEARS MULTIPLE TIMES (TURNING OFF, BACK ON, SHIFTING, ETC.). ALREADY ATTEMPTED CLEANING KEYS (BOTH SETS) WITH NO CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR.

NHTSA ODI #11316374

15,000 miles · Feb 29, 2020
Electrical SystemPower Train

TOUCH SCREEN AND IN DASH DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY CHANGES ON ITS ON, THE TOUCH SCREEN WILL NOT RESPOND AND CHANGE RADIO STATIONS, VOLUME, CONTACT ON STAR, TRY TO USE PROJECTION OPTION, MOVE THE MAP ON GPS, AND CHANGE THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER FROM SPEED LIMIT TO RADIO STATIONS. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE …

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TOUCH SCREEN AND IN DASH DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY CHANGES ON ITS ON, THE TOUCH SCREEN WILL NOT RESPOND AND CHANGE RADIO STATIONS, VOLUME, CONTACT ON STAR, TRY TO USE PROJECTION OPTION, MOVE THE MAP ON GPS, AND CHANGE THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER FROM SPEED LIMIT TO RADIO STATIONS. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE ENTIRE DASH, RADIO, GAUGES LIGHTS EVERYTHING WENT BLACK RANDOMLY AS IF THE TRUCK WAS NOT TURNED ON BUT THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMAL AND AFTER WHAT LOOKS LIKE A RESET MAYBE 20-30 SECONDS EVERYTHING REBOOTS AS IF YOU JUST STARTED THE TRUCK. THEN IT'S BACK TO RANDOM BERSERK OUTBURSTS BY THE TOUCH SCREEN. TRANSMISSION STARTED GETTING JERKY BETWEEN GEARS AT 15K MILES AND HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE AT 35K MILES. ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES BETWEEN GEARS FRONT TO REAR AND BACK. THROUGH ALL GEARS. ALSO SOME STRONG HARD HITTING SHIFTS. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD VEHICLE 2 TIMES FOR BOTH ISSUES AND SEE NOTHING WRONG. THEY ARE CLEARLY LYING. GM WILL ALSO NOT HELP AND HAVE BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #11315340

30,000 miles · Feb 26, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

TRAVELING DOWN CITY STREET APPROX 35MPH VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT OFF, DASH WENT DARK BUT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM CONTINUED TO WORK. LOSS OF ALL POWER. BRAKES SHUTTERED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP. PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF, AND BACK ON. VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY AFTER THAT.

NHTSA ODI #11311756

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2019
Power Train

VEHICLE HAS FREQUENT SLOW ACCELERATION WHEN ENTERING HIGHWAYS. I HAVE TO STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR HARD TO HAVE THE ENGINE PICK-UP SPEED, WHICH LEADS TO THE ENGINE OVER ACCELERATING. WHEN I SLOW DOWN ON SHARP ROAD TURNS AND ACCELERATE TO PICKUP SPEED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING THE GEAR HARD (MAKING A THUMP SOUND). HAVE GONE …

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VEHICLE HAS FREQUENT SLOW ACCELERATION WHEN ENTERING HIGHWAYS. I HAVE TO STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR HARD TO HAVE THE ENGINE PICK-UP SPEED, WHICH LEADS TO THE ENGINE OVER ACCELERATING. WHEN I SLOW DOWN ON SHARP ROAD TURNS AND ACCELERATE TO PICKUP SPEED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING THE GEAR HARD (MAKING A THUMP SOUND). HAVE GONE TO DEALER AT MERCED GMC AND TURLOCK CHEVROLET. BOTH STATE CAR IS RUNNING THE WAY GMC MANUFACTURED IT.

NHTSA ODI #11277075

40,000 miles · Jul 12, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

1) <POWERTRAIN> I HAVE 40K ON MY CANYON AND AM EXPERIENCING ACCELERATION ISSUES 0-40MPH 1-3RD SHIFT POINTS (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE TRANSMISSION ACTS LIKE IT CANNOT DECIDE TO EITHER SAY IN 2ND OR SHIFT TO 3RD AND THERE'S A LAG OR SURGING AFFECT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND TRANSFER CASE FLUIDS CHANGED…

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1) <POWERTRAIN> I HAVE 40K ON MY CANYON AND AM EXPERIENCING ACCELERATION ISSUES 0-40MPH 1-3RD SHIFT POINTS (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE TRANSMISSION ACTS LIKE IT CANNOT DECIDE TO EITHER SAY IN 2ND OR SHIFT TO 3RD AND THERE'S A LAG OR SURGING AFFECT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND TRANSFER CASE FLUIDS CHANGED AR THE GM DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. 2) <OTHER> KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. WHEN PLACING THE TRUCK IN PARK THERE'S AN INTERNAL RELAY/SWITCH WITHIN THE SHIFTER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO ACTIVATE A RELAY/UNLOCK SIGNAL TO THE KEY TUMBLER IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN AND THE KEY WON'T TURN TO THE OFF POSITION TO ALLOW IT TO BE RELEASED. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ACC POSITION PUT THE TRUCK IN DRIVE THEN BACK INTO PARK TO GET THE RELAY/SWITCH TO DIS-ENGAGE THE KEY POSITION FROM BEING LOCKED IN ACC.

NHTSA ODI #11231341

9,735 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC CANYON. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE VEHICLE HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL SERRA GMC (LOCATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC CANYON. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE VEHICLE HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL SERRA GMC (LOCATED AT 6201 SAGINAW RD, GRAND BLANC, MI 48439, (810) 202-0226) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS MISALIGNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,735.

NHTSA ODI #11180294

Official recalls

4

18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 31, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

17V621000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 5, 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.

16V125000 · Air Bags:frontal

Mar 2, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.

15V807000 · Latches/locks/linkages

Dec 1, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado trucks manufactured August 25, 2015 to September 24, 2015, and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured August 28, 2015 to September 24, 2015. The affected vehicles have a console compartment lid latch assembly that may fail to keep the compartment door closed in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the console compartment door does not remain closed in a crash, the contents stored in the console may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the console compartment door latch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16370.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.