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2018 GMC Canyon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Canyon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

20 reports with mileage · 32 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

27 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2023
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that on various occasions while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle was shaking. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics; however, the mechanics were unable to duplicate the failure. The tires were and balanced. Th…

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that on various occasions while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle was shaking. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics; however, the mechanics were unable to duplicate the failure. The tires were and balanced. The contact stated that the failure was reoccurred. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle back to another independent mechanic, it was determined that the transmission and torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11504023

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2022
Power Train

When coming to a stop the truck lunges forward like you have been bumped from behind and you can hear and feel it! When going forward the truck shift fine.

NHTSA ODI #11468964

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2022
Power Train

When cold the transmission slips badly causing a loss of power that has caused me to narrowly avoid being struck from behind by another vehicle. The slippage can be severe. The transmission appears starved for fluid. After completely warmed up the problem goes away. It is clearly a factory defect that GM is aware of and refuses …

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When cold the transmission slips badly causing a loss of power that has caused me to narrowly avoid being struck from behind by another vehicle. The slippage can be severe. The transmission appears starved for fluid. After completely warmed up the problem goes away. It is clearly a factory defect that GM is aware of and refuses to fix.

NHTSA ODI #11466513

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2022
Power Train

The transmission has a rough shift from 1st to 2nd, whether it is upshifting or downshifting, and isn't always predictable. This rough shift often feels like a lurching forwards when it shifts from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 1st it feels like something hits me in the back and shoves me forward. The 1st to 2nd often makes me feel…

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The transmission has a rough shift from 1st to 2nd, whether it is upshifting or downshifting, and isn't always predictable. This rough shift often feels like a lurching forwards when it shifts from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 1st it feels like something hits me in the back and shoves me forward. The 1st to 2nd often makes me feel out of control of the vehicle and while it hasn't endangered anyone as of yet, I am concerned that it will push my into the car in front of me one day. The 2nd to 1st shift also causes me concern for how it may cause me a neck injury if I'm not always focused when I'm close to that shift point. The problem has not be reproduced by a dealer or independent service center, though I do plan to take it when I have the time in the near future. The problem has not been inspected by anyone. There are no warning lights, messages, or other symptom to indicate the problem will occur.

NHTSA ODI #11446712

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2022
EnginePower TrainSuspension

Transmission slipped almost from start. Took three appointments and two years - If my shop foreman knew the third time, why did he not call and tell me we now know your problem. I finally got fed up and brought it in one more time. Starter from day ONE maybe 50% of time made loud bang when Bendix retracted. Shop refused to t…

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Transmission slipped almost from start. Took three appointments and two years - If my shop foreman knew the third time, why did he not call and tell me we now know your problem. I finally got fed up and brought it in one more time. Starter from day ONE maybe 50% of time made loud bang when Bendix retracted. Shop refused to take it off!!! I checked ball joint boots. One feels like no grease in it. They 'LOOKED' at it. No answer and nothing was done. Has had 'lifter noise' since new when small acceleration. Noise rate accelerates till shift and then repeats. I'm told they don't hear anything. I am 76 and hard of hearing. Pleeeeeze - don't tell me there isn't any. Not my best day today and felt it's time to say crap is crap.

NHTSA ODI #11445813

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2021
Power Train

i purchased this truck used about 5000 miles ago and it now has 26,800 miles and when you put it in park the key will not come out.you have to keep starting and shutting off and eventually it will come out.i have read alot of complaints about this and nothing is being done at gm.they should be ashamed of themselves for a substa…

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i purchased this truck used about 5000 miles ago and it now has 26,800 miles and when you put it in park the key will not come out.you have to keep starting and shutting off and eventually it will come out.i have read alot of complaints about this and nothing is being done at gm.they should be ashamed of themselves for a substantial issue and they want to charge the customer for there issue.

NHTSA ODI #11435672

28,000 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train

6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SAME ISSUE. NO SOUND WHEN TRYING TO START. 10 MINUTES LATER VEHICLE STARTS AND CEL IS LIT. NEVER AUTO SHIFTS AFTER ~30MPH. REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION BODY VALVE ON 1ST OCCURRENCE. EACH TIME SERVICED (WARRANTY), AND AT SOME POINT THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR AGAIN. TOTAL OF 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHA…

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6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SAME ISSUE. NO SOUND WHEN TRYING TO START. 10 MINUTES LATER VEHICLE STARTS AND CEL IS LIT. NEVER AUTO SHIFTS AFTER ~30MPH. REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION BODY VALVE ON 1ST OCCURRENCE. EACH TIME SERVICED (WARRANTY), AND AT SOME POINT THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR AGAIN. TOTAL OF 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW.

NHTSA ODI #11413228

35,000 miles · Apr 15, 2021
Power Train

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, WE ARE NOW CONTINUOUSLY EXPERIENCING A SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE CANYON EVERY TIME THE TRUCK SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. IT IS VERY DISTURBING DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CANYON BEGINS TO SHAKE SO HARD THAT EVERYONE IS JARRED IN THEIR SEATS EVEN WITH SEAT BELTS ON. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE CANYON IS …

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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, WE ARE NOW CONTINUOUSLY EXPERIENCING A SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE CANYON EVERY TIME THE TRUCK SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. IT IS VERY DISTURBING DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CANYON BEGINS TO SHAKE SO HARD THAT EVERYONE IS JARRED IN THEIR SEATS EVEN WITH SEAT BELTS ON. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE CANYON IS BEING REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AS WE'RE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT IT HAPPENS ON MAJOR ROADS WHENEVER WE ACCELERATE AFTER A TRAFFIC LIGHT TRANSITIONS FROM RED TO GREEN. AS WE CLEAR THE INTERSECTION, THE SHAKING OCCURS AND AS THE CANYON REDUCES SPEED MOMENTARILY, WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED. OUR CANYON IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AS WE HAVE THE EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. FURTHERMORE, WE JUST LEARNED OF A GM SERVICE BULLETIN, 18-NA-355 DATED AUGUST, 2019, THAT HAS BEEN CIRCULATING. WE FOUND A COPY OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SB AND IT APPLIES TO ALL GMC CANYONS FROM 2017-2019. NEEDLESS TO SAY, GM (CORPORATE AND DEALERSHIP) WANT US TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTICS TEST (E.G., HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS) TO CONFIRM THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEN DETERMINE IF WARRANTY WILL COVER THE REPAIR(S). THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS IF THE DRIVER IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO BEING TOSSED ABOUT IN THEIR SEAT WHILE DRIVING THE CANYON. GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AS PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE ON FIXED INCOMES, ARE NOT ABLE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A TEST JUST TO VALIDATE THE TOQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SHUDDER DOES EXIST.

NHTSA ODI #11408239

69,025 miles · Oct 14, 2020
Power Train

WITH 69025 MILES TRANSMISSION MOMENTARILY SLIPS INTO FREE WHEEL THEN RE- ENGAGES CAUSING A SURGE. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST STATES COMPUTER ANALYSIS SHOWS INTERNAL ISSUE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. SHUTTER FOUND AFTER 3RD YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11364424

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2020
Power Train

MY GMC CANYON HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES. IT STARTED SHAKING, SHUDDERING FREQUENTLY, AND HAVING HARD SHIFT WHEN CHANGING GEARS, SPECIALLY WHEN SPEEDING DOWN. IT FEELS SIMILAR TO DRIVE OVER THE STREET LINES WITH A SIMILAR SOUND. THERE IS A STRONG SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN FAST SHIFTING HAPPENED FROM HIGH TO LOW OR WHEN S…

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MY GMC CANYON HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES. IT STARTED SHAKING, SHUDDERING FREQUENTLY, AND HAVING HARD SHIFT WHEN CHANGING GEARS, SPECIALLY WHEN SPEEDING DOWN. IT FEELS SIMILAR TO DRIVE OVER THE STREET LINES WITH A SIMILAR SOUND. THERE IS A STRONG SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN FAST SHIFTING HAPPENED FROM HIGH TO LOW OR WHEN STOP AT THE STOP LIGHT. IT IS LIKE THE ENGINE WANTS TO LEAVE FROM THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. THIS VIBRATION IS ALSO FELT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED OR LOW GEAR AND THE TRUCK IS DEMANDING MORE POWER, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CONTROL THAT DEMAND. IT IS LIKE NOT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11354423

Official recalls

1

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.

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.