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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.

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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2026
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

Power steering and StabiliTrack warning pops-up randomly and cuts off power steering assistance while I'm driving on the highway or on country roads. The power steering is very hard to maneuver. However, when it's safe to do so, I have to pull over on a safe place and have to restart my truck twice, in order to regain power stee…

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Power steering and StabiliTrack warning pops-up randomly and cuts off power steering assistance while I'm driving on the highway or on country roads. The power steering is very hard to maneuver. However, when it's safe to do so, I have to pull over on a safe place and have to restart my truck twice, in order to regain power steering. I have taken it to an independent mechanic and to a Chevy dealership on Merced. The dealership service tech informed me that in order to service the vehicle and find the code that is making this issue, that I would have to continue driving the truck and bring it in to the dealership with the power steering and StabiliTrack warning. According to the technician, they can't do much due to that they don't know what is causing the power steering to malfunction. I haven't been able to take it to the dealership because the warnings have occurred while I'm far away from a dealership or diagnosis area. Also, I will not risk my safety maneuvering a vehicle that has lost electric power steering around a city where lots of left or right turns are necessary to drive to a locality. This is the only vehicle I have to go to work or travel and fear for my safety when this happens. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11745386

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

It keeps putting my vehicle into limp mode with the def system and tell me that I have poor exhaust quality. I can’t keep taking my vehicle into the shop not sure if it’s a sensor or the soot again or what but something has got to give

NHTSA ODI #11469903

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemSeats

We are always getting a code P1478 on our truck when we add def fuel in it when it is time to do so. We have tried to clear it out on our own but never goes away and have to end up taking it to the dealership to get it done. They said it's because the soot it built up. We have always used Blue Def in our vehicles. There was …

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We are always getting a code P1478 on our truck when we add def fuel in it when it is time to do so. We have tried to clear it out on our own but never goes away and have to end up taking it to the dealership to get it done. They said it's because the soot it built up. We have always used Blue Def in our vehicles. There was a recall on this system where they have to reset the system or a sensor. I don't understand whey this is always happening, The drivers seat was recalled once for it not being manufactured corrected. It fabic held up a few years when we got the few years when we got the vehicle and it is has done it again. We have asked the dealership about about another recall on the seat and they said they haven't seen one. We have tried to get it fixed on our own but no one have the fabic to do it. It isn't but together very well at all.

NHTSA ODI #11464256

70,000 miles · Feb 1, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

AN ANIMAL CHEWED THROUGH THE FUEL LINE CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE FUEL LINE CONTAINING SOY BASED PRODUCTS WHICH ATTRACTS WILDLIFE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED (STATIONARY).

NHTSA ODI #11391002

66,900 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

ON JULY 2ND, I LOOKED WHERE MY CANYON WAS PARKED AND FOUND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DIESEL FUEL ON THE GROUND. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND FUEL ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND A SEVER LEAK FROM A HOSE. THE HOSE WAS RUBBING ON A CAN COMING FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT LEAK WHEN PARKED (OTHER THAN DRI…

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ON JULY 2ND, I LOOKED WHERE MY CANYON WAS PARKED AND FOUND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DIESEL FUEL ON THE GROUND. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND FUEL ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND A SEVER LEAK FROM A HOSE. THE HOSE WAS RUBBING ON A CAN COMING FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT LEAK WHEN PARKED (OTHER THAN DRIPPING) BUT LOOSES SIGNIFICANT FUEL WHEN IDLING OR DRIVING. THIS ISSUE LIKELY STARTED A FEW DAYS AGO BUT WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL 7/2. THE FUEL ITSELF IS CLOSE TO SEVERAL HOT COMPONENTS INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION, EXHAUST AND TRANSFER CASE.

NHTSA ODI #11229284

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

18,446 miles · Sep 4, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS MISSING THE METAL SKID PLATE AND FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS MISSING THE METAL SKID PLATE AND FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,446.

NHTSA ODI #11124359

35,315 miles · Feb 28, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION DOES NOT MOVE INTO NEXT GEAR WHEN DRIVING 20/25 30/35THIS VEHICLE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN YOU CAN'T PASS ANYONE ALSO IT YOU CAN'T MERGE ON HIGHWAY SAFELY YOU MUST DRIVE VEHICLE IN A ADJUSTED MANNER

NHTSA ODI #11075372

50 miles · Oct 1, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2016 CANYON, TEST DRIVE WENT WELL, ALTHOUGH I ADMIT IT PROBABLY WASN'T LONG ENOUGH. PURCHASED ON SUNDAY, AND DURING THE NEXT WEEK DRIVING I BEGAN NOTICING THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING AT THE PROPER TIMES. LIKE MOST PEOPLE ON HERE, THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO BE VERY CONFUSED , ESPECIALLY WHEN DECELERATI…

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I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2016 CANYON, TEST DRIVE WENT WELL, ALTHOUGH I ADMIT IT PROBABLY WASN'T LONG ENOUGH. PURCHASED ON SUNDAY, AND DURING THE NEXT WEEK DRIVING I BEGAN NOTICING THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING AT THE PROPER TIMES. LIKE MOST PEOPLE ON HERE, THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO BE VERY CONFUSED , ESPECIALLY WHEN DECELERATING INTO THE 20-35 MPG RANGE AND ATTEMPTING TO RE-ACCELERATE BACK UP. IT WILL MISFIRE OR BE VERY UNRESPONSIVE, AND THEN CLUNK AND JERK YOU FORWARD ONCE IT DECIDES TO CHANGE GEARS. IT ALSO DOES SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS EVEN MORE DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE GOING AROUND 30-40 MPG AND THEN SIMPLY LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IN THIS INSTANCE, I FEEL LIKE IT DOWN SHIFTS INSTANTLY AND IT FEELS LIKE THE TRUCK IS BEING PULLED BACK (INSTEAD OF SIMPLY COASTING LIKE I WOULD WANT), AND THEN AT SOME POINT IT "RELEASES" FROM THIS AND THE TRUCK ACTUALLY STOPS DECELERATING AND SPEEDS UP A BIT, EVEN THOUGH THE GAS HAD BEEN RELEASED MANY SECONDS AGO. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IN STOP AND GO CITY TRAFFIC. I THINK THE OVERARCHING PROBLEM HERE IS THE SHIFT POINTS THAT THE ECM HAS DETERMINED (OR BEEN PROGRAMMED WITH). YOU CAN TELL THIS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, MY TRUCK GETS TO THIRD GEAR BY 15 MILES PER HOUR AND NEVER GOES ABOVE 2K RPM'S??? I ADMIT I AM A BIT LIGHT-FOOTED ON DRIVING, WHICH COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I EVENTUALLY AM GIVING A SMALL AMOUNT OF ACCELERATION TO A TRUCK IN 4TH GEAR ONLY GOING 20 MPH, WHICH SUCK. I HAVE ALSO READ THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 15 CANYON (OBVIOUSLY READ AFTER PURCHASE), AND GMC EVENTUALLY CAME OUT WITH A FEW FIXES, INCLUDING ECM PATCH UPDATES OR LOWER VALVE REPLACEMENT. I IMAGINE THAT MANY OF THE 2016'S WERE ALREADY OFF THE LINE BY THE TIME THESE '15 FIXES CAME OUT (IN APRIL 15 I BELIEVE), BUT THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OF THESE FOR THE 2016.

NHTSA ODI #10910936

6,000 miles · Sep 8, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TRUCK SEEMS TO BE MISSING WHEN CRUISING, THEN HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. SEEMS TO BE NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL FREQUENTLY WHEN JUST ACCELERATING. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM IS 90% REDUCED WHEN USING PREMIUM FUEL. STILL NO IDEA.

NHTSA ODI #10904755

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.