2016 GMC Canyon Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Canyon, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering17752.8%
- Powertrain (other)3911.6%
- Electrical3711.0%
- Driver assistance267.8%
- Engine216.3%
- Fuel system103.0%
- Brakes92.7%
- Airbags61.8%
- Suspension41.2%
- Other / unspecified20.6%
- Exterior lighting10.3%
- Seat belts10.3%
- Interior & seats10.3%
- Body & structure10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Was in my garage and started up my truck and seen an alert regarding the steering. Reversed truck and was un-able to steer the truck. Steering wheel would not move at all.
This is a constant issue where the power steering issues disabled while driving and its very damgerous usually i just turn it off and on it fixes it, but then it happens again and frequently
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Transmission shudder that is causing Drivability issues. Multiple mechanics have told me to drive it and maintain it until the transmission gives out.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the infotainment system and screen display became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that upon attempting to leave the driveway, the vehicle was shifted into drive and the engine experienced a complete loss of automotive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving at 65 MPH, and the traction control and vehicle stabilization warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the 4-WD assembly, steering electronic motor, steering angle sensor, and the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,263.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the traction control warning light illuminated and the messages "Service Power Steering" and “Service Stabili-trak" were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel became stiff and was very difficult to turn. On several occasions, the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that upon attempting to leave the driveway, the vehicle was shifted into drive and the engine experienced a complete loss of automotive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving at 65 MPH, and the traction control and vehicle stabilization warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the 4-WD assembly, steering electronic motor, steering angle sensor, and the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,263.
EPS becomes difficult to steer occasionally, Brakes seem to lose stopping ability Leaking oil @ either oil pan or transmission
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH in a parking lot, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was very firm while being depressed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the vacuum pump and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
EPS becomes difficult to steer occasionally, Brakes seem to lose stopping ability Leaking oil @ either oil pan or transmission
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
As I was pulling away from the stop sign my power steering quit working and I was almost hit by another vehicle. The dash light flashed and said there was Drive System problems. I was able to get the truck turned back around and headed back home. I got into my garage and checked the power steering fluid and it was full. I started my truck back up and was able to drive to the dealership (Everett GMC where I purchased the truck new) The service representative said he will put it on the diagnostic machine and find out what was wrong. The next day they called me and said they found out what it was a drive gear that quit working. He said that he would get this ordered and put it in, I got a call 2 days later and said it was finished. My wife checked to see if there was a recall. There was a recall for this problem for 2015 Canyon in 2021 for the same issue. I am thinking that this issue and a very
July 30, 2021 airbag warning - dealer replaced left front impact sensor mileage 33905 March 9, 2022 rough idling and stalling - dealer replaced evap purge solenoid valve mileage 39067 April 20, 2023 airbag warning - dealer replaced right front impact sensor and air bag module mileage 44496
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
I have had this repeated issue since i purchased my 2016 GMC Canyon in 2020. The power steering goes out at different speeds with NO indication . The lights that appear on dash are power steering and stabilatrax. I have had the battery and all connectors replaced and now the rack and pinion that the sensor is in. These repairs have been very costly and this situation has been very dangerous as it happens without any warning. Just when i thought it was fixed with a new battery and cables it quit again in heavy traffic and i was almost hit by 2 vehicles. It has been in 3 different repair shops and now at a Chevrolet Dealership. They have ordered the parts twice and the 1st 1 came to them broken from the Factory, This part was recalled for all 2015 models, but not the 2016? Receiving broken parts even shows that there is an issue. I have read on some of your sites from others posting about their 2016 Colorado and Canyons having this same issue. Please look into this and try to help me if possible. I am beyond frustrated. Thank you very much
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the traction control warning light illuminated and the messages "Service Power Steering" and “Service Stabili-trak" were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel became stiff and was very difficult to turn. On several occasions, the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
DRIVING IN LEFT LANE ON US 1 SOUTH BOUND IN SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ AT THE SPEED LIMIT. HEARD SOUND LIKE A BACKFIRE OR SHOTGUN GO OFF. DASH BOARD SHOWED LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE RIGHT REAR TIRE. PULLED OVER INTO EMPTY PARKING LOT. SIDEWALL HAD EXPLODED. TIRES HAD RECENTLY BEEN ROTATED BY DEALER. ALL TIRE PRESSURES WERE SET TO 35 PSI. TIRES HAVE APPROX 6,600 MILE USE. VEH. NOT DRIVEN MUCH AS I AM RETIRED. THESE ARE OEM GOODYEAR 265/60R18 TIRES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS COMPLAINT IS CONCERNING THE HEADLIGHTS. I DON'T DRIVE MUCH AT NIGHT BUT WHEN I DO IT'S FRIGHTENING. THE NEW PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS ARE, IN MY OPINION, FLAT OUT DANGEROUS. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH MANY ROLLING HILLS AND FEW STREET LAMPS. WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON, GOING DOWN A SLOPE, IT ACTUALLY SEEMS LIKE A SHADE IS BEING PULLED DOWN ON MY WINDSHIELD. THE "LIGHT CURTAIN CUTOFF" BASICALLY DISAPPEARS INTO DARKNESS ON A DOWNSLOPE. ON A FLAT STRETCH SIGHT DISTANCE FORWARD AND TO THE SIDES IS MINIMAL. I HAVE SEEN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY HAS RATED MOST VEHICLES WITH THESE HEADLIGHTS AS "POOR". ITS TIME FOR THE NHTSA TO TAKE ACTION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DRIVER AIRBAG IN 2016 CANYON FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLE. ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET IN GULFPORT, MS. WAS GOING STRAIGHT AT POSTED SPEED OF 35MPH, SECOND VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD AT CROSS STREET. "T" BONED 2ND VEHICLE IN DRIVER DOOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR-CARPET AND FLOOR BOARDS WET, ENGINE LIGHT ON, INTEL LINK COMPUTER FAILED HAD TO REBOOT TOOK TO DALE EARNHARDT TALLAHASSEE FL THEY FIXED THE ENGINE LIGHT IT WAS THE PURGE VALVE AND IT HAD SHORTED OUT, THEY STATED THAT WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE TO A BODY SHOP AS THE LEAK IS COMING IN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE A-PILLAR FILLING UP AND THEN STREAMING OUT OF A "CHRISTMAS TREE HOLE AT BOTTOM OF FUSE BOX ON RIGHT SIDE. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME ANYWHERE DRIVING OR STATIONARY WHEN IT RAINS. WE JUST PURCHASED THIS TRUCK ON 04/02/2019. 45,710 MILES THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO A AUTOBODY SHOP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .