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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 · Sep 7, 2024
Steering

I bought my 2016 GMC Canyon back in 2018 with 40k miles on it. After couple of months, I noticed that when traveling at approx 70MPH front wheels are shaking violently. I did wheel alignment and other wheel check but still there. Lately, power steering stabilitrak keep showing up on my panel. Since it can’t be resetted, Im liter…

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I bought my 2016 GMC Canyon back in 2018 with 40k miles on it. After couple of months, I noticed that when traveling at approx 70MPH front wheels are shaking violently. I did wheel alignment and other wheel check but still there. Lately, power steering stabilitrak keep showing up on my panel. Since it can’t be resetted, Im literally driving like arm wrestling in the middle of the road specially during parking. After many years of wondering of what the wheel vibration is causing, electronic Rack and Pinion issue was the result of diagnostic conducted by Schumacher Chevrolet here in West Palm Beach, FL. They quoted me 3K for the repair.

NHTSA ODI #11613183

51,867 miles · Sep 4, 2024
Steering

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering suddenly failed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determi…

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The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering suddenly failed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 51,867.

NHTSA ODI #11612586

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2024
Steering

Mileage 65080. I’m the 2nd owner. I bought this truck used and have only driven it 145 miles. Crossing an intersection and the power steering turned off. Happened again the same day leaving Walmart parking lot. Turning the engine off will reset the power steering. Message on the instrument panel says stabilitrak service power s…

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Mileage 65080. I’m the 2nd owner. I bought this truck used and have only driven it 145 miles. Crossing an intersection and the power steering turned off. Happened again the same day leaving Walmart parking lot. Turning the engine off will reset the power steering. Message on the instrument panel says stabilitrak service power steering.

NHTSA ODI #11611900

48,000 miles · Aug 28, 2024
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, an error message for the “Stabili-track” failure was displayed on the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times before. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights wer…

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The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, an error message for the “Stabili-track” failure was displayed on the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times before. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle needed an alignment and steering rack replacement. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #11611365

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2024
Steering

I was driving 70 MPH on the highway when I received a warning on my dash that stated "service power steering, drive with care" and a second warning that stated "service stabilitrak". I immediately felt the steering wheel lock up and lost all power steering. My safety as well as others was put in risk as I was unable to maneuver …

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I was driving 70 MPH on the highway when I received a warning on my dash that stated "service power steering, drive with care" and a second warning that stated "service stabilitrak". I immediately felt the steering wheel lock up and lost all power steering. My safety as well as others was put in risk as I was unable to maneuver the vehicle especially at the high rate of speed. Prior to this incident there had been no warning or other issues that could have signaled a failure. The problem was duplicated at the dealership and a code was given.

NHTSA ODI #11610550

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2024
Steering

Electric power steering stops working and the power steering assist warning light is illuminated. Once the truck is restarted the problem goes away but will come back at some point while driving. This has happened multiple times at multiple speeds, the first time it happened I was going over 70 MPH. With no power steering it is …

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Electric power steering stops working and the power steering assist warning light is illuminated. Once the truck is restarted the problem goes away but will come back at some point while driving. This has happened multiple times at multiple speeds, the first time it happened I was going over 70 MPH. With no power steering it is nearly impossible to turn the steering wheel since I only have one hand available to use on the steering wheel. Had I not had a passenger with me to help turn the wheel I would have crashed. I took the truck to the dealer and they told me it was the same problem that the 2015's had had on a recall but my truck was a early 2016 so I was not part of the recall. The dealer was happy to fix it at a cost of $2916.27 My truck only has 27135 miles, but is to old for warranty coverage.

NHTSA ODI #11607010

66,000 miles · Aug 5, 2024
Steering

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The power steering assist wa…

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The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering gear assembly due to an electrical short. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering), but neither the VIN nor the model year was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #11606545

50,000 miles · Jul 30, 2024
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after arriving to his destination, he became aware that the ignition switch would not release the key. After restarting the vehicle and then turning the vehicle off, the contact was able to remove the key, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights w…

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The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after arriving to his destination, he became aware that the ignition switch would not release the key. After restarting the vehicle and then turning the vehicle off, the contact was able to remove the key, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11605489

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire

On [XXX] at approximately 5:30p, I was driving normal highway speed when I saw what I thought was exhaust trailing behind. There were NO dash warning lights, engine temperature showing normal range, car was performing normally. I pulled over to shoulder, turned off car, released the hood latch. My husband tried to open hood but …

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On [XXX] at approximately 5:30p, I was driving normal highway speed when I saw what I thought was exhaust trailing behind. There were NO dash warning lights, engine temperature showing normal range, car was performing normally. I pulled over to shoulder, turned off car, released the hood latch. My husband tried to open hood but it was too hot. We then realized it was smoke coming from under hood, not exhaust. Smoke began to come inside car through vents. I quickly exited the car, and within a minute the entire front end engine area was engulfed in flames. 911 was called, fire, police, highway patrol responded. Fortunately there was no injury to myself or husband. There was also concern of starting a brushfire risk here in SoCal, but it was all extinguished thoroughly. Truck was towed to Al’s Towing, 475 W Vermont Ave, Escondido CA 92025, ph 760-745-5933. A report has been filed with our insurance USAA, inspection by adjuster is pending. I also notified Temecula GMC, where I purchased vehicle from, of the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11605155

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2024
Steering

Power steering failed twice during a turn on two separate drives, nearly causing an accident both times. A power steering warning was displayed on the dash. I was able to move the vehicle to the side of the road, and normal power steering function returned following a restart of the vehicle. It is my understanding that the 2015…

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Power steering failed twice during a turn on two separate drives, nearly causing an accident both times. A power steering warning was displayed on the dash. I was able to move the vehicle to the side of the road, and normal power steering function returned following a restart of the vehicle. It is my understanding that the 2015 model year was recalled for the same reason, and that the 2016 model year contains the exact same problematic part.

NHTSA ODI #11601805

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.