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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

52 reports
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 · Dec 9, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I have been receiving the “Service Trailer Brake System” error intermittently. The only information I have been have to find around this is a defective wiring harnesses between two modules. This defect is not due to wear/tear and has been reported as a defective part on multiple GMC models. When this service error pops up it is …

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I have been receiving the “Service Trailer Brake System” error intermittently. The only information I have been have to find around this is a defective wiring harnesses between two modules. This defect is not due to wear/tear and has been reported as a defective part on multiple GMC models. When this service error pops up it is distracting and very unsafe for driving as well as dangerous when towing as the driver has no idea of the trailer brake system is functioning properly..

NHTSA ODI #11443236

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Vehicle has less than 25,000 miles. Over the last 3 days, after vehicle is put in park and turned off, the key will not always rotate back to the 'off' position, and can not be removed from the ignition. This has happened at least 6 times over the last 3 days. Managed to remove key by turning vehicle back on and driving back …

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Vehicle has less than 25,000 miles. Over the last 3 days, after vehicle is put in park and turned off, the key will not always rotate back to the 'off' position, and can not be removed from the ignition. This has happened at least 6 times over the last 3 days. Managed to remove key by turning vehicle back on and driving back and forth a few inches, then trying again. Took multiple tries on some occasions. With less than 25,000 miles, nothing should be worn out... Safety concerns:The possibility that the key will completely fail to be removable, meaning that if the vehicle must be left unattended, it must be left unlocked and in a condition that it could be started and stolen or driven by a curious child. The possibility that see-sawing back and forth in a parking spot could lead to an accident. The possibility that the vehicle will have to be towed. The possibility of being stranded outside- all my keys are on one ring, if I can't get them out of the ignition, how would I open the door to the house? The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service station. I will be calling to schedule an appointment. The vehicle or component has not been inspected as of yet. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms happened prior to the first incident. When I returned home and had an opportunity, I did an internet search and discovered that the problem is a known issue, and has been reported by others.

NHTSA ODI #11437225

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

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

No accident to report. I wasn’t aware of the problem with the High Pressure Fuel Pump intel a week later when the noise got louder, at first I figure it was the belt drive that needed check do to it sitting in the lot do to not being moved a lot. I then took it back to where the Vehicle originally came from they where able to id…

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No accident to report. I wasn’t aware of the problem with the High Pressure Fuel Pump intel a week later when the noise got louder, at first I figure it was the belt drive that needed check do to it sitting in the lot do to not being moved a lot. I then took it back to where the Vehicle originally came from they where able to identified the problem quickly to do them knowing already that the truck had that problem but never went to fix the problem or to take time to figure the problem out.

NHTSA ODI #11420373

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

30,000 miles · Dec 5, 2020
Exterior Lighting

AT NIGHT, THE BACK-UP CAMERA DISPLAY ON THE DASH IS SO BRIGHT, IT LIGHTS UP THE WHOLE CAB AND THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER NOT TO BE ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE CAB OR AROUND THE VEHICLE WHEN REVERSING. I ALMOST BACKED OVER MY WIFE BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE HER BECAUSE OF THE BRIGHTNESS. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE BRIGHTNESS WHE…

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AT NIGHT, THE BACK-UP CAMERA DISPLAY ON THE DASH IS SO BRIGHT, IT LIGHTS UP THE WHOLE CAB AND THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER NOT TO BE ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE CAB OR AROUND THE VEHICLE WHEN REVERSING. I ALMOST BACKED OVER MY WIFE BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE HER BECAUSE OF THE BRIGHTNESS. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE BRIGHTNESS WHEN IT IS IN REVERSE AND IN THE DARK YOU CAN NOT SEE MUCH IN THE SCREEN BECAUSE OF THE BRIGHTNESS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON THE FULL SIZED TRUCKS BUT NOT THE MID-SIZED AND HE SAID IT WAS IN WORKING CONDITION. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU CAN'T SEE WHEN YOU ARE REVERSING.

NHTSA ODI #11378006

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.