2016 GMC Canyon Powertrain (other) Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11723200

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

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 ID

11694867

Incident

Oct 2, 2025

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 ID

11680750

Incident

Aug 14, 2025

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 ID

11570725

Incident

Feb 7, 2024

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 ID

11566729

Incident

Nov 11, 2023

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 ID

11475141

Incident

Jul 14, 2022

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 ID

11440093

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

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 ID

11440072

Incident

May 1, 2021

•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 ID

11433295

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

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 ID

11421168

Incident

Apr 30, 2021

VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION COMMAND WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY OR DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF COLLATION WITH OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SUSPECT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS IS A MAJOR AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE, GM CONTINUES TO IGNORE AND I DO NOT WANT TO BECOME THE NEXT STATISTIC DEAD IN US HIGHWAYS. THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, DURING A RED TRIANGLE YIELD SIGN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION COMMAND CAUSING A BOTTLE NECK OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND HIGH RISK OF BEING REAR ENDED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION, IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ID

11415989

Incident

May 8, 2021

Mileage

53,210 mi

VEHICLE FREQUENTLY SHUTS OFF DURING BRAKING OR WHILE STOPPED AND MUST BE RESTARTED BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN OPERATE AGAIN. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIOLENT GEAR CHANGES AND SIGNIFICANT LAGGING DURING PERIODS OF MODERATE ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. GEAR CHANGES RESULT IN EITHER SEVERE UNRESPONSIVENESS AND A GENERAL LACK OF ACCELERATION OR AN AGGRESSIVE GEAR CHANGE THAT JERKS THE VEHICLE AND SPINS THE TIRES.

NHTSA ID

11377276

Incident

Nov 20, 2020

Mileage

49,000 mi

TRANSMISSION CONSISTENTLY SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING IN ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND SPEEDS, AND SOMETIMES GOES TO HIGHER RPMS WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND RESTARTED. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WHEN RECENTLY BROUGHT IN. IT WAS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES. DEALER SAID NOT TO KEEP 4X4 IN AUTO MODE. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER RECEIVING TRUCK BACK FROM DEALER, A 4 WHEEL DRIVE WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE OR AUTO. MESSAGE AND PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. SHUDDERING SHOULD NOT OCCUR AND KEEPING IN AUTO MORE DURING RAIN AND COLD WEATHER IS A SAFETY PRECAUTION THAT SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11365740

Incident

Feb 3, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi

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 ID

11344186

Incident

Apr 29, 2016

Mileage

2 mi

IGNITION WILL NOT FULLY TURN OFF AND RELEASE KEY WHEN TRUCK IS PLACED IN PARK. I'M ADDITION IGNITION AND KEY BECOME VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH AFTER DRIVING FOR OVER 20 MINUTES (TEMP OUTSIDE IS COOL 50-60). TRUCK WILL EVENTUALLY TURN OFF AND RELEASE THE KEY AFTER RESTARTING AND SHIFTING THROUGH ALL GEARS MULTIPLE TIMES (TURNING OFF, BACK ON, SHIFTING, ETC.). ALREADY ATTEMPTED CLEANING KEYS (BOTH SETS) WITH NO CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR.

NHTSA ID

11316374

Incident

Mar 3, 2020

Mileage

30,000 mi

TOUCH SCREEN AND IN DASH DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY CHANGES ON ITS ON, THE TOUCH SCREEN WILL NOT RESPOND AND CHANGE RADIO STATIONS, VOLUME, CONTACT ON STAR, TRY TO USE PROJECTION OPTION, MOVE THE MAP ON GPS, AND CHANGE THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER FROM SPEED LIMIT TO RADIO STATIONS. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE ENTIRE DASH, RADIO, GAUGES LIGHTS EVERYTHING WENT BLACK RANDOMLY AS IF THE TRUCK WAS NOT TURNED ON BUT THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMAL AND AFTER WHAT LOOKS LIKE A RESET MAYBE 20-30 SECONDS EVERYTHING REBOOTS AS IF YOU JUST STARTED THE TRUCK. THEN IT'S BACK TO RANDOM BERSERK OUTBURSTS BY THE TOUCH SCREEN. TRANSMISSION STARTED GETTING JERKY BETWEEN GEARS AT 15K MILES AND HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE AT 35K MILES. ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES BETWEEN GEARS FRONT TO REAR AND BACK. THROUGH ALL GEARS. ALSO SOME STRONG HARD HITTING SHIFTS. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD VEHICLE 2 TIMES FOR BOTH ISSUES AND SEE NOTHING WRONG. THEY ARE CLEARLY LYING. GM WILL ALSO NOT HELP AND HAVE BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY.

NHTSA ID

11315340

Incident

Nov 24, 2017

Mileage

15,000 mi

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 ID

11311756

Incident

Feb 26, 2020

Mileage

30,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS FREQUENT SLOW ACCELERATION WHEN ENTERING HIGHWAYS. I HAVE TO STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR HARD TO HAVE THE ENGINE PICK-UP SPEED, WHICH LEADS TO THE ENGINE OVER ACCELERATING. WHEN I SLOW DOWN ON SHARP ROAD TURNS AND ACCELERATE TO PICKUP SPEED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING THE GEAR HARD (MAKING A THUMP SOUND). HAVE GONE TO DEALER AT MERCED GMC AND TURLOCK CHEVROLET. BOTH STATE CAR IS RUNNING THE WAY GMC MANUFACTURED IT.

NHTSA ID

11277075

Incident

Oct 29, 2019

1) <POWERTRAIN> I HAVE 40K ON MY CANYON AND AM EXPERIENCING ACCELERATION ISSUES 0-40MPH 1-3RD SHIFT POINTS (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE TRANSMISSION ACTS LIKE IT CANNOT DECIDE TO EITHER SAY IN 2ND OR SHIFT TO 3RD AND THERE'S A LAG OR SURGING AFFECT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND TRANSFER CASE FLUIDS CHANGED AR THE GM DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. 2) <OTHER> KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. WHEN PLACING THE TRUCK IN PARK THERE'S AN INTERNAL RELAY/SWITCH WITHIN THE SHIFTER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO ACTIVATE A RELAY/UNLOCK SIGNAL TO THE KEY TUMBLER IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN AND THE KEY WON'T TURN TO THE OFF POSITION TO ALLOW IT TO BE RELEASED. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ACC POSITION PUT THE TRUCK IN DRIVE THEN BACK INTO PARK TO GET THE RELAY/SWITCH TO DIS-ENGAGE THE KEY POSITION FROM BEING LOCKED IN ACC.

NHTSA ID

11231341

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC CANYON. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE VEHICLE HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL SERRA GMC (LOCATED AT 6201 SAGINAW RD, GRAND BLANC, MI 48439, (810) 202-0226) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS MISALIGNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,735.

NHTSA ID

11180294

Incident

Feb 7, 2019

Mileage

9,735 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC CANYON. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GAY BUICK GMC (3033 GULF FWY, DICKINSON, TX 77539, (832) 769-4378) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE PLACED IN TRAILER MODE TO RECTIFY THE FAILURE IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11123203

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

Mileage

7,000 mi

SAG AND HESITATION WHILE SHIFTING,SEEMS TO GET STUCK OR NOT SURE WHAT GEAR TO BE IN.WHILE MAKING A TURN TRUCK HESITATES NO ACCELERATION AT 20MPH.SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT GETTING REAR ENDED

NHTSA ID

11119324

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

Mileage

1,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE PICKS AND CHOOSES WHEN TO SPEED UP. I PRESS THE GAS PEDDLE DOWN AND HAVE TO WAIT A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESPONDS. I HAVE NOTICED THE VEHICLE MAKING SOUNDS LIKE IT IS SPUTTERING ALMOST TO THE POINT TO SEIZING ALL TOGETHER.

NHTSA ID

11112276

Incident

Jul 16, 2018

Mileage

20,000 mi

MY TRUCK WILL I ENGAGE INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ALL BY ITSELF .ITS BEEN TO THE THE DEALERSHIP NINE TIMES AND I'M FEELING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.IF THIS VEHICLE GOES INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WHILE I'M ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IT COULD BE UNSAFE TO MY LIFE AND OTHERS THAT ARE DRIVING WITH ME.BUT THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT TAKING THIS PROBLEM VERY SERIOUSLY I THINK.THIS PROBLEM IS THIS GOING ON. REFERENCE NUMBER 11012598

NHTSA ID

11079027

Incident

Mar 11, 2016

TRANSMISSION HUNTS FOR GEAR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE 25-40 MPH WHEN TRANSMISSION TEMP IS 120 DEGREES AND HIGHER IN SLOW AND GO DRIVING. LEADS TO DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MUST BE 'STOMPED' ON TO GET TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON WET ROADS WHEN REAR OF TRUCK CAN SWERVE WHEN ACCELERATING AND IN SLOW AND GO TRAFFIC HAVING TO PUSH HARD ON ACCELERATOR TO GO WHEN MANY CARS AROUND. GM KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND PUBLISHES PAPER STATING EXACTLY THE SYMPTOMS AND AND TELL DEALERS NOT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION OTHER THAN MAKING SOFTWARE UP TO DATE WHICH SOLVES NOTHING. NOT ALL GM TRUCKS AND EVEN CARS OF THIS YEAR ARE AFFECTED BUT YEARS BEFORE AND AFTER FOR DECADES HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE AS FOUND ON INTERNET FORUMS. CHANGING TO DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION FLUIDS AND EVEN CHANGING TORQUE CONVERTORS HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST BUT FOR 2015/2016 NO REMEDY IS OFFERED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON 1.5 YEARS SINCE NEW AND GETTING WORSE. BECAUSE OF LACK OF OUT OF SERVICE DAYS I DON'T THINK LEMON LAW APPLIES

NHTSA ID

11066913

Incident

Jan 17, 2018

Mileage

1,000 mi