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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

What owners actually said

268 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2023
Steering

Power steering will randomly fail while driving. NHTSA recalled 2015 but did nothing for 2016 which is still having the same problems

NHTSA ODI #11499766

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2022
Electrical System

The key does not always release from the ignition after parking the truck. I have to shift into Drive and back into Park multiple times or wait up to a minute to remove the key. Took it to the dealership, but at that time, it was only happening once a week or so, and they could not reproduce the problem. 3 years later and it …

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The key does not always release from the ignition after parking the truck. I have to shift into Drive and back into Park multiple times or wait up to a minute to remove the key. Took it to the dealership, but at that time, it was only happening once a week or so, and they could not reproduce the problem. 3 years later and it still happens and it's getting much worse. Happens at least once a day. I have seen this problem pop-up on many forums, and while it is not a safety issue, it is a quality issue that should be addressed by GMC.

NHTSA ODI #11494835

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2022
Steering

Three times we have gotten an alarm that there is a steering malfunction and to drive carefully. We experienced a loss of power steering. We have had it in for service twice. The first time, the dealer reprogrammed the computer, which did not solve the problem. The second time, they said they needed to replace the steering wheel…

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Three times we have gotten an alarm that there is a steering malfunction and to drive carefully. We experienced a loss of power steering. We have had it in for service twice. The first time, the dealer reprogrammed the computer, which did not solve the problem. The second time, they said they needed to replace the steering wheel torque sensor, which they tried to order, but said it is not currently available.

NHTSA ODI #11490123

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2022
Steering

My power steering suddenly went out on the highway. Has now happened a couple times. Stabilatrak also errored. Both times it showed an error message in the display saying "Service Power Steering". There have been no signs of the power steering going bad or noises from the power steering pump to indicate it is mechanical. If …

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My power steering suddenly went out on the highway. Has now happened a couple times. Stabilatrak also errored. Both times it showed an error message in the display saying "Service Power Steering". There have been no signs of the power steering going bad or noises from the power steering pump to indicate it is mechanical. If I stop the car and restart it the problem goes away.

NHTSA ODI #11489448

65,000 miles · Sep 26, 2022
Steering

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the power steering and traction control messages were displayed. After restarting the vehicle, th…

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The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the power steering and traction control messages were displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected and the vehicle operated as designed. The contact indicated that the failure had become more frequent. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11486385

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2022
Steering

My 2016 GMC Canyon had a power steering failure and stability warning light while turning off highway with my grandson in the truck. Power steering returned after turning truck off and restarting. The next day, I took it to Rogersville Chevrolet to check and change oil since it was due, however, they could not find anything ot…

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My 2016 GMC Canyon had a power steering failure and stability warning light while turning off highway with my grandson in the truck. Power steering returned after turning truck off and restarting. The next day, I took it to Rogersville Chevrolet to check and change oil since it was due, however, they could not find anything other than a stability track warning in history. 2 weeks later happened again repeatedly. Dropped it off at dealership, dealer states steering needs total replacement. It is available to inspect, I have not had it replaced yet, dealer asking for over $2000.00 to fix it. Poses safety hazard due to unexpected loss of steering at anytime. Also, this is the same issues that was the subject of recall in the 2015 GMC Canyon. Power steering intermittently failing making steering very difficult without warning beforehand. Warning light appears post failures.

NHTSA ODI #11486083

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2022
Steering

My vehicle a 2016 GMC Canyon loses power steering making it hard to control and it happens driving out of the garage but also sometimes without warning while driving it. One time it happened on a curve and I almost had a headon collision. Dealership, Von Holsen GMC in Ashland Wi. said it is the identical problem that is in a r…

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My vehicle a 2016 GMC Canyon loses power steering making it hard to control and it happens driving out of the garage but also sometimes without warning while driving it. One time it happened on a curve and I almost had a headon collision. Dealership, Von Holsen GMC in Ashland Wi. said it is the identical problem that is in a recall for 2015's. Diagnosis by the dealership confirmed that this is the identical to the recall. But they will not cover it because mine is an early 2016. I request that the recall be expanded as they do not have all the vehicles that are effected. Thank you , [XXX] Cable, Wi. 54821 [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11484876

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2022
Steering

Power steering suddenly goes out while driving. I get a ringing and visual notification notifying me that stabilitrak and power steering are not working properly. I have to steer the truck manually. The next day it drives correctly again for 5-10 miles then the exact same issue reappears, and I lose all power steering while on t…

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Power steering suddenly goes out while driving. I get a ringing and visual notification notifying me that stabilitrak and power steering are not working properly. I have to steer the truck manually. The next day it drives correctly again for 5-10 miles then the exact same issue reappears, and I lose all power steering while on the road at full speed. This issue is recalled in 2015 GMC Canyons, but not on my 2016 model. Please address this issue asap. I'm being told I have to have the whole rack replaced for $2400.

NHTSA ODI #11484552

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2022
Steering

The power steering has locked up twice. Once on 9-12-2022 and again on 9-13-2022. the first time was in a school zone going 25 mph. The 2nd time was in the same area goin 50 mph. The 2nd time it locked up, I recovered before hitting a guard rail. I have an appointment with Wyatt Johnson GMC Buick in Clarkesville, Tennessee on Sa…

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The power steering has locked up twice. Once on 9-12-2022 and again on 9-13-2022. the first time was in a school zone going 25 mph. The 2nd time was in the same area goin 50 mph. The 2nd time it locked up, I recovered before hitting a guard rail. I have an appointment with Wyatt Johnson GMC Buick in Clarkesville, Tennessee on Saturday 9-17-2022 to diagnose the problem. A message to service Stabilitrak and service power steering drive with care came on.

NHTSA ODI #11484314

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2022
Electrical System

The malfunction is: no power, no crank, no electricity at all, can not use key fob to lock/unlock, radio does not work, dash does not work, literally 0 lights 0 power when key is in ignition to and turning to start or when key is not in ignition. The positive battery terminal also overheats to extreme temps which caused my dad a…

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The malfunction is: no power, no crank, no electricity at all, can not use key fob to lock/unlock, radio does not work, dash does not work, literally 0 lights 0 power when key is in ignition to and turning to start or when key is not in ignition. The positive battery terminal also overheats to extreme temps which caused my dad a 3rd degree burn since positive terminals should never be hot. Dates of malfunction that have left me stranded 7/16, 8/3, 8/5, 8/11, 8/12, 8/28. I have video evidence of the malfunction on each of those dates. The way we got it to fix is by banging on the battery. on 8/12 I brought the truck to the dealership because I banged on the battery I got error codes- Engine Power Reduced, and Stabilitrak Offline. The engine was shaking very badly, I have video. hey have the truck for a week, get it to trigger the same incident and determine its a bad battery cell that could only be detected when the malfunction was happening. They replaced the battery. On 8/28 the same malfunction happens except nothing is fixing it, not banging on the battery, not waiting 24+ hours. Prior to me buying the truck on June 28th the previous owner has an invoice in the glove box dated May 25th to try to fix the same issues. I bought this from the dealership not the previous owner. The vehicle still sits at the dealership trying to diagnose the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11483938

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.