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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

Engine complaints

21 reports
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47,216 miles · Sep 17, 2020
EngineSteering

THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 10/14/2019, WHILE BRAKING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE GMC DEALERSHIP (BROWN & BROWN AT1550 E DRIVERS WAY, GILBERT, AZ 85297, (480) 835-0900) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. THIS O…

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THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 10/14/2019, WHILE BRAKING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE GMC DEALERSHIP (BROWN & BROWN AT1550 E DRIVERS WAY, GILBERT, AZ 85297, (480) 835-0900) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE SERVICE ENTRANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED BOTH TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,216. SEE INVOICE ATTACHMENT. HE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON 9/16/2020 WHILE THE DRIVER WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED BOTH TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN THAT DAY. ON 9/17/2020, THE VEHICLE WAS TOLLED TO HENRY BROWN BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 1550 E DRIVERS WAY, GILBERT, AZ 85297, (480) 835-0900. THE SECOND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,468. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT REPLICATED OR IDENTIFIED. SEE INVOICE ATTACHMENT. THE CONTACT SOLD THE VEHICLE ON 9/29/2020.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11355544

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

37,000 miles · Jun 12, 2020
Engine

WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE STUDDERS AND HAS NO POWER UNTIL MORE GAS IS APPLIED. VEHICLE CHANGES GEARS WAY TO FAST CAUSING YOU TO HAVE TO APPLY MORE ACCELERATION. VEHICLE DOESN'T DOWNSHIFT CAUSING YOU TO ALSO HAVE TO APPLY MORE ACCELERATION TO GAIN SPEED. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328536

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

50,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR-CARPET AND FLOOR BOARDS WET, ENGINE LIGHT ON, INTEL LINK COMPUTER FAILED HAD TO REBOOT TOOK TO DALE EARNHARDT TALLAHASSEE FL THEY FIXED THE ENGINE LIGHT IT WAS THE PURGE VALVE AND IT HAD SHORTED OUT, THEY STATED THAT WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE TO A BODY SHOP AS THE LEAK IS COMING IN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE A-P…

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FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR-CARPET AND FLOOR BOARDS WET, ENGINE LIGHT ON, INTEL LINK COMPUTER FAILED HAD TO REBOOT TOOK TO DALE EARNHARDT TALLAHASSEE FL THEY FIXED THE ENGINE LIGHT IT WAS THE PURGE VALVE AND IT HAD SHORTED OUT, THEY STATED THAT WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE TO A BODY SHOP AS THE LEAK IS COMING IN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE A-PILLAR FILLING UP AND THEN STREAMING OUT OF A "CHRISTMAS TREE HOLE AT BOTTOM OF FUSE BOX ON RIGHT SIDE. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME ANYWHERE DRIVING OR STATIONARY WHEN IT RAINS. WE JUST PURCHASED THIS TRUCK ON 04/02/2019. 45,710 MILES THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO A AUTOBODY SHOP.

NHTSA ODI #11230885

51,012 miles · May 26, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE STABILITY TRACK LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR REDUCES ITS SPEED TO 25 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY VERY DANGEROUS VERY SCARY THE DEALER CANNOT SEEM TO FIX THE ISSUES AND FIND THE PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #11210055

35,056 miles · Feb 19, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherCrash

VEHICLE IGNITION KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED AND IT DOES NOT STAY IN PARK. VEHICLE CAN CRASH CAUSING INJURIES AND PROPERTY DAMAGE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 35000K MILES UNDER WARRENTY AND GMC REFUSES TO DO ANY THING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI #11181036

22,000 miles · Aug 9, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE RPM METER INCREASED FROM 1,000 TO 4,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE OR ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AFTER BEING SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DIAMOND H…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE RPM METER INCREASED FROM 1,000 TO 4,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE OR ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AFTER BEING SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DIAMOND HILLS CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (4545 W RAMSEY ST, BANNING, CA 92220, (866) 220-9099), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED I SPOKE WITH TIFFANY AT GMC. SHE INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING AND ANY FURTHER TESTS WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAD JUST PASSED A CAR ON A 2 LANE HWY (CA 395) WHEN THE ENGINE FROZE. THE CAR I PASSED HAD TO APPLY ITS BRAKES TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME. UPDATED 10/19/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11118702

2,667 miles · May 7, 2017
EngineCrash

I PURCHASED A GM 2016 CANYON IN OCTOBER, 2016 AND HAD DRIVEN IT NEARLY SIX MONTHS WHEN THE EVENT DECRIBED HERE OCCURRED. UP UNTIL APRIL 16, 2017, I HAD HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK. HOWEVER, ON EASTER SUNDAY AFTERNOON, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW MY CANYON DOWN AND PREPARING TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO GO FORW…

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I PURCHASED A GM 2016 CANYON IN OCTOBER, 2016 AND HAD DRIVEN IT NEARLY SIX MONTHS WHEN THE EVENT DECRIBED HERE OCCURRED. UP UNTIL APRIL 16, 2017, I HAD HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK. HOWEVER, ON EASTER SUNDAY AFTERNOON, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW MY CANYON DOWN AND PREPARING TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO GO FORWARD OF IT'S OWN VOLITION AND THE TRUCK DID NOT RESPOND TO MY EFFORTS TO BRING IT TO A COMPLETE STOP. CONSEQUENTLY, MY VEHICLE STRUCK THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF IT. A SUBSEQUENT INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT A TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETIN ISSUED BY GM IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016 DESCRIBED THIS EVENT AS HAVING OCCURRED TO 2016 CANYON DIESEL ENGINES. MY VEHICLE HAS A GASOLINE ENGINE; NONETHELESS THE CONDITION WAS DESCRIBED IN THE BULLETIN (TSB 16-NA-276) AS: "SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON A SHUDDER AT LOW SPEEDS, AN IDLE SURGE WHEN STOPPED OR APPROACHING A STOP." THIS IDLE SURGE DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP AT A RED LIGHT. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE TO MY VEHICLE, THE OFFICER WHO INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT LET US DRIVE OUR VEHICLE UNTIL IT HAD BEEN EXAMINED AND EVALUATED BY OUR LOCAL GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL ADAMANTLY MAINTAINED THEN (AND NOW) THAT THE ACCIDENT DID NOT HAPPEN AS I DESCRIBED IT. I HAD TO CONTACT GMC CUSTOMER CARE CENTER TO HAVE 15 MINUTES WORTH OF DIAGNOSTICS DONE PER COMPUTER, ESP THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE TSB STATES: "IF YOU ENCOUNTER A VEHICLE WITH THE ABOVE CONCERN, REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS." LUCKILY, THE GENTLEMAN AT THE CUSTOMER CARE SERVICE WAS ABLE TO INTERVENE AND HAVE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE EVALUATED AND DOCUMENTATION THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH IT OR ANY OTHER "CONTROL MODULES" PROVIDED TO US BY OUR LOCAL GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10983898

13,000 miles · Mar 2, 2017
Engine

I PURCHASED A 2016 GMC CANYON IN JULY 2016. I NOTICED HESITATION WHEN I ACCELERATE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN TRAFFIC, GOING UPHILL OR ROUNDING CORNER. I RESEARCHED MANY FORUMS AND FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAS A LEARNING PERIOD WHERE IT DOES THIS AND ADAPTS TO YOUR DRIVING, NORMALLY WITHIN THE FIRST 1000 MILES. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN 13,00…

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I PURCHASED A 2016 GMC CANYON IN JULY 2016. I NOTICED HESITATION WHEN I ACCELERATE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN TRAFFIC, GOING UPHILL OR ROUNDING CORNER. I RESEARCHED MANY FORUMS AND FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAS A LEARNING PERIOD WHERE IT DOES THIS AND ADAPTS TO YOUR DRIVING, NORMALLY WITHIN THE FIRST 1000 MILES. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN 13,000 MILES LATER AND ALMOST A YEAR, AND IT CONTINUES TO HAVE THIS HESITATION AS BAD IF NOT WORSE THAN IT DID INITIALLY. GMC HAS CHECKED IT OUT, GAVE IT A TEST DRIVE AND SAID IT SHOWS NO CODES SO THEY OFFER NO HELP. ALL OF MY PASSENGERS NOTICE THIS HESITATION WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THIS HESITATION IS WHEN YOU PUSH THE GAS, THE TRUCK ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO GO AND IT BECOMES SHAKEY. IN SITUATIONS WHERE I'M MERGING ONTO TRAFFIC, THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS, AS I HAVE HAD TO FLOOR IT TO MAKE IT ACCELERATE. FOR A NEW VEHICLE, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I FELT SAFER IN MY 2001 SIERRA THAN I DO IN THIS. THE FACT THAT GMC WILL NOT OFFER ANY WAY TO FIX THIS ADDS TO THE FRUSTRATION. NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY, IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE TO DO THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10958245

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.