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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

Power Train complaints

39 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2026
Power Train

Transmission shudder that is causing Drivability issues. Multiple mechanics have told me to drive it and maintain it until the transmission gives out.

NHTSA ODI #11723200

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2025
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

At random the power steering and traction control turn off making it difficult to drive.. This happens randomly and has become unable to steer. Once the vehicle is turned off for a period of time you can start it up and the steering returns. The issue was reported in the 2015 models. That recall needs to extend into the 2016 mo…

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At random the power steering and traction control turn off making it difficult to drive.. This happens randomly and has become unable to steer. Once the vehicle is turned off for a period of time you can start it up and the steering returns. The issue was reported in the 2015 models. That recall needs to extend into the 2016 models since most of the parts were most likely manufactured tot eh same specs as the 2015. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent repair shop. The dealership wanted $200 for just the diagnostics. Every time this happens it becomes very difficult to drive and is a safety issue. The issue first appeared 2 months ago and after the restart stopped. Then all of a sudden it seems to occur daily.

NHTSA ODI #11694867

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2025
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

Transmission has been shuddering since 15,000 miles till now. Dealerships says it's normal on these transmissions, 6 fluid and filter changes and now at 72,000 miles the transmission is failing just outside of warranty. They scammed me and kept my transmission barely alive until warranty ran out and now they want 8k-10k for a re…

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Transmission has been shuddering since 15,000 miles till now. Dealerships says it's normal on these transmissions, 6 fluid and filter changes and now at 72,000 miles the transmission is failing just outside of warranty. They scammed me and kept my transmission barely alive until warranty ran out and now they want 8k-10k for a replacement. They knew. Dash goes crazy from the touch screen to the digital information screen in the speedometer. They say it's normal and happens on all the units. But it's distracting and has been messing up since bought the truck new. Again they just kept saying it was nothing they can do. Now they say it needs to be replaced after my warranty has run out. DEF system is failing conveniently after the warranty has run out. It's dangerous because they programmed the truck to go into limp mode when anything emissions related fails stranding me anywhere at anytime. Emission failures like sensors should not restrict travel. This is a major issue with the diesels in these trucks and they need to be forced to remove anything that's not dangerous to the health of the engine or drive train from the software or hardware from being able to restrict travel. In every situation I've been restricted to limp mode by dirty particulate sensors, but the code that pops and puts my truck in limp mode says that the NOX sensor is bad. This is false and is just a way for GM to get service at their dealers. Then they charge customers a fortune to replace parts that don't need to be replaced when you can just remove and clean the four particulate sensors and the restrictions will clear themselves shortly after. EMISSIONS RELATED ISSUES SHOULD NOT RESTRICT TRAVEL BY ANY MEANS! It is dangerous to be stranded on a trip because your emission sensors may be malfunctioning.

NHTSA ODI #11680750

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2024
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

Complete loss of power steering and traction control while driving. Very difficult to make turns. Would have to pull off the road and restart vehicle to fix problem. I have not taken it to a service center. It has not been inspected. Warning lights for loss of stabilitrak do come on.

NHTSA ODI #11570725

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2024
Power Train

I have not been in an incident yet, but when I slow down coming off the highway and try to come back up to traffic speed the the transmission bucks or shutters. Also when starting from a red light or stop sign the truck bucks or shutters very notable in 3-4-5th gear. I watched the tachometer and it shutters most of my drive. In …

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I have not been in an incident yet, but when I slow down coming off the highway and try to come back up to traffic speed the the transmission bucks or shutters. Also when starting from a red light or stop sign the truck bucks or shutters very notable in 3-4-5th gear. I watched the tachometer and it shutters most of my drive. In all fairness, I have not brought it to the dealership yet. I see other people are having this problem with the Canyons and Colorado also. Please advise!

NHTSA ODI #11566729

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2022
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

Driving and the Stabilitrak warning comes on as well as the Power steering warning. later after the vehicle is turned off it will not restart (no crank, no Start) and there is no communication with the ECM until it has had the battery disconnected for an extended period. This is very dangerous losing power steering and stabili…

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Driving and the Stabilitrak warning comes on as well as the Power steering warning. later after the vehicle is turned off it will not restart (no crank, no Start) and there is no communication with the ECM until it has had the battery disconnected for an extended period. This is very dangerous losing power steering and stabilitrak while driving is going to cause an accident. I would like to see a recall on the 2016 like there is on the 2015 with this same issue. I have not had the issue repaired yet. waiting to get it into a shop who tells me they will likely need to replace the Rack and Pinion on this truck to correct the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11475141

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

Key is not pulling out of ignition after truck has been put in park. Mechanic has replaced the shifter twice, and yet the problem is more pronounced. The Dealership (Anthony GMC) has now stated there is no problem, and yet the key wont come out for them either.

NHTSA ODI #11440093

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train

Ignition key randomly will not release from switch. The key is stuck in the ignition in the accessory position which in turn kills the battery. As far as I can tell (and I have read about and experienced this problem for many months) the root cause is the gear shift assembly or Part # 23397472. It is not reliably returning the…

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Ignition key randomly will not release from switch. The key is stuck in the ignition in the accessory position which in turn kills the battery. As far as I can tell (and I have read about and experienced this problem for many months) the root cause is the gear shift assembly or Part # 23397472. It is not reliably returning the confirmation, to the solenoid lock on the ignition switch, that the transmission is in PARK reliably. For the first time last w/e my dealer admitted this is a problem and that replacing 23397472 usually resolves the issue. I need GM to take responsibility and activate a recall

NHTSA ODI #11440072

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2021
Power Train

•Water coolant valve, and torque converter. •my Truck temp gage will fluctuate towards red line and back to normal. Torque converter caused my vehicle to shake, vibrate, slow accelerating, made it seem vehicle will shut off on highway or in heavy traffic. •I went to several mechanics, including the dealerships and they fixed my …

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•Water coolant valve, and torque converter. •my Truck temp gage will fluctuate towards red line and back to normal. Torque converter caused my vehicle to shake, vibrate, slow accelerating, made it seem vehicle will shut off on highway or in heavy traffic. •I went to several mechanics, including the dealerships and they fixed my water coolant valve but issue persisted, the dealerships said my truck was running fine until I had requested to ride along with mechanic, that's when he guessed it would be torque converter. •has not been inspected, just test drove and replaced by mechanic •no lights indicated on dash board and I felt the shake and vibration around 08/01/2021 and reported to dealership. The water temp gage was reported back in Nov 2018 but the problem still persist.

NHTSA ODI #11433295

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Have had truck in shop several times, currently in the shop and has been there for almost 3 weeks nobody seems to know what the problem is. Vehicle losses power and goes into a limp mode. Temperature gauge keeps failing, exhaust break does not work, ac cuts out often and does not work often, keeps trying to clean exhaust filter…

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Have had truck in shop several times, currently in the shop and has been there for almost 3 weeks nobody seems to know what the problem is. Vehicle losses power and goes into a limp mode. Temperature gauge keeps failing, exhaust break does not work, ac cuts out often and does not work often, keeps trying to clean exhaust filter over and over again and again.

NHTSA ODI #11421168

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.