RoadVitals

2017 GMC Canyon Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Oct 31, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
25%
of 65 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 GMC Canyon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Oct 31, 2023

Catastrophic engine failure. Piston #1 damage after a fuel injector issue. The truck just hit 100k miles. This left my husband stranded over an hour away. No check engine light or warning other than a loud pop and smoke. No warranty on the truck, I’ve been quoted $12k for a new engine. I have read MULTIPLE forums (one thread of 77 posts) of the same thing/similar thing happening.

NHTSA ID
11552949
Incident
Oct 4, 2023
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2023

The transmission shudders terribly. It is available for inspection. It is unsafe because while in traffic situations, it doesn't get up to speed correctly. It is as if it can't find the gear, it feels like it is about to stall. It is not dependable to stay at a speed, or increase speed. The dealership said that changing the transmission fluid would help, and it did for a while. The problem came back, we had the fluid changed again. The problem came right back again.

NHTSA ID
11515827
Incident
Apr 6, 2023
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Canon. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated along with the following displayed message "ISSUE WITH EXHAUST SYSTEM REDUCE ENGINE POWER TAKE TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY", as the vehicle slowed down drastically not allowing the driver to accelerate over 20 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as the diesel particulate filter would not complete a burn. A manual regeneration was completed. The contact stated that the failure recurred after 2,500 miles in November 2022 and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, Kelley Buick GMC (255 W Van Fleet Dr, Bartow, FL 33830) where another manual regeneration was completed. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that if the failure reoccurred, he would need to purchase a filter for $2,000. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to inform when a burn was needed as other diesel vehicles were equipped with the burn alert system along with a switch to complete the burn. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated there were no recalls for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

NHTSA ID
11497203
Incident
Jun 13, 2017
Mileage
3,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2022
1 injury reported

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the temperature gauge would not operate and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while pressing the accelerator pedal. Also while operating the vehicle the contact had become ill with headaches and dizziness which required medical attention. Upon inspection, it was discovered that a hair-like fiber was present coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed that the temperature gauge and exhaust system was faulty and needed to be replaced. The hair-like fibers were not identified. The contact was concerned that the hair-like fibers had clogged the exhaust system causing carbon monoxide to enter the cabin of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000.

NHTSA ID
11484289
Incident
Sep 1, 2021
Mileage
52,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 2, 2021

This is the 2nd time this has happened. The 1st time making a left onto route 23 from route 296 in Windham NY. Almost got T-Boned. Stalled wouldn't start. Waited 5 minutes and it started again. Ran rough then died again thankfully in a more opportune spot. MY car randomly & without warning loses all power and electric and shuts down. The 1st time I had it towed to Matthews GMC (where I purchased 4 pick ups) and they stated it was a NOX sensor and repaired it. Saturday this happened again while driving at 55 MPH and stalled on a blind curve (very scary). I left a complaint on this website to hopefully prevent a fatality. I thought I would recieve a response from you the NTSB but didn't. I went online and noticed there a a number of folks that had the same problem. Do you wait for fatalities before action is taken??

NHTSA ID
11427418
Incident
Jul 31, 2021
Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2021

Truck turned just over 62000 miles and appears to have engine oil cooler line failure. No oil on engine just dripping in protective plastic between radiator and engine. Spraying back underneath when moving. Checked on lone and blogs are showing many others with same problem with near catastrophic failure. I have dealer appointment for Wednesday August 4th 2021 to have it checked.

NHTSA ID
11427260
Incident
Jul 30, 2021
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 14, 2021

VEHICLE STALLED WHEN I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO ROUTE 23 FROM ROUTE 296 IN WINDHAM NY. CAR SHUTTERED AND STALLED. ALMOST GOT T-BONED BY A SEMI. EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS ONTO THE BRIDGE BEHIND ME. I DID GO ONLINE AND SAW THAT WERE OTHER OWNERS WITH THE DURAMAX DIESEL THAT EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ISSUE. I'M ACTUALLY WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THIS PICK UP. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME WITHOUT THE ERROR CODE THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO CLEAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

NHTSA ID
11416569
Incident
May 12, 2021
Mileage
54,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 2, 2021

OIL LEAKING FROM A HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE. IT WAS A PIN HOLE IN MIDDLE OF LINE, RUBBER PART LOCATED BETWEEN RADIATOR AND ENGINE. IT WAS DISCOVERED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR AN HOUR IN DRIVEWAY, AFTER A 100 MILE DRIVE. IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE OIL WAS EVERYWHERE AROUND ENGINE AND ON INSIDE OF TIRES.THIS WAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT LEAK. LOST PINTS OF OIL. WHEN I STARTED CAR TO CHECK FOR LEAK IT COULD BE CLEARLY SEEN PUSHING OUT WITH PRESSURE. THE PLACEMENT OF THIS HOLE MAKES IT HARD TO BELEIVE THAT ANYTHING COULD OF PUNCTURED IT. FROM SOME SEARCHING IT SEEMS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. THERE ARE CLAIMS THAT THE BURST IS DUE TO STARTS IN COLD WEATHER. THE DAY IT HAPPENED WAS 1/1/21, IT WAS COLD BUT NOT EXTREME I WOULD SAY LOW 30'S F I AM FILING THIS AFTER TRUCK WAS BROUGHT TO SHOP, I DID NOT TAKE PICTURES OR VIDEO, REGRETTABLE. OF COURSE THIS WAS (IS) A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE, A MESS IN DRIVEWAY ETC.BUT I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THAT MY ENGINE DID NOT GO ON FIRE. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR ADDITIONAL INFO

NHTSA ID
11386104
Incident
Jan 1, 2021
Mileage
41,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2019

GM HAD A RECALL ON THE 3.6 LGZ EQUIPPED IN TRUCKS IN CANADA. COLD WEATHER CAUSED OIL PUMP TO OVER PRESSURIZING OF OIL AND DAMAGE TO OIL COOLER AND LINES. LEAKING OIL IN TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ON ROADWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE NOW ONCE IN MARCH OF 2018 AND NOW AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2019. DOING RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. I WOULD LIKE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT TO LOOK INTO THIS AN DO SIMILAR RECALL AS CANADA. HERE IN MINNESOTA IT GETS AS COLD OR COLDER THAN CANADA.

NHTSA ID
11281339
Incident
Nov 20, 2019
Mileage
18,367 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2019

GM HAD A RECALL ON THE 3.6 LGZ EQUIPPED IN TRUCKS IN CANADA. COLD WEATHER CAUSED OIL PUMP TO OVER PRESSURIZING OF OIL AND DAMAGE TO OIL COOLER AND LINES. LEAKING OIL IN TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ON ROADWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE NOW ONCE IN MARCH OF 2018 AND NOW AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2019. DOING RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. I WOULD LIKE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT TO LOOK INTO THIS AN DO SIMILAR RECALL AS CANADA. HERE IN MINNESOTA IT GETS AS COLD OR COLDER THAN CANADA.

NHTSA ID
11281338
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
3,072 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 2, 2019

VEHICLE HAS 6600 MILES- WHILE NORMAL DRIVING AROUND TOWN, NOTICED A GASOLINE/OIL SMELL. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 5 MINUTES RECIEVED A WARNING MESSAGE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE, THEN NOTICED A LARGE POOL OF OIL SPREADING UNDER THE ENGINE BAY OF THE TRUCK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME OIL HAS LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE, FIRST REPAIR PERFORMED BY THE DEALER WAS TO REPLACE AN OIL COOLER HOSE. CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE. CONTACTED DEALER WHERE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED AND THEY HAVE REPAIRED THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES BY SWAPPING THE OIL PUMP FOR ONE WITH LOWER FLOW RATES (SIMILAR TO/SAME AS GM RECALL #N1821800260, WHICH DOESN'T YET APPLY TO THIS MODEL SOMEHOW).

NHTSA ID
11193332
Incident
Mar 28, 2019
Mileage
6,660 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 11, 2019

2017 GMC CANYON EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINE WILL SPORADICALLY SHUT-OFF WHILE OPERATING WHEN DRIVING WITH A TANK THAT IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL. ON 1/31/19 (ODOMETER ~14200 MILES) VEHICLE WAS DRIVING FINE WITH AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF ROUGHLY 0F, FUEL TANK AT 1/3, WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE ENGINE DIED IN TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE THEN NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AT WHICH POINT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. AGAIN ON 3/4/19 (ODOMETER ~15100 MILES) VEHICLE WAS DRIVING FINE WHEN THE DASH LIT UP WITH MULTIPLE CODES AND TRUCK WENT INTO REDUCED POWER MODE, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE 10F GAS TANK AT 1/8TH. GOT OUT OF TRUCK AND IT SMELLED LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. CALLED TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE KEPT FOR MULTIPLE DAYS AT DEALERSHIP, DEALER WORKED WITH GM TO IDENTIFY AN ISSUE AND NO FIX WAS FOUND. DEALER CALLED TO INSTRUCT ME TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK DURING WINTER AND ALSO MENTIONED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH A FEW OTHER CANYON AND TERRAIN DIESEL MODELS. GM NEEDS TO FIND A FIX FOR THIS! IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A TRUCK THAT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY LOOSE TOTAL POWER WHEN DRIVING DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR SYSTEMS.

NHTSA ID
11185746
Incident
Jan 31, 2019
Mileage
14,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 31, 2018

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS AT 12000 MILES FOR MANY. THERE IS A GMC NOTICE OUT SINCE 2016. MINE FAILED AT 16000 MILES AND THE ONE THEY REPLACED WILL LIKELY FAIL AGAIN IN ANOTHER 16K MILES. THIS IS BAD. I NOTICED IT WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND AS I INCREASED SPEED UP TO 45 MPH. IT RATTLED AND ROCKED BADLY. THE GMC REPAIRMAN SAID, "YEAP.....EVER SINCE 2016 ALL THESE [XXX] TORQUE CONVERTERS HAVE BEEN FAILING IN THE CANYONS AND COLORADOS BECAUSE GM AND CHEVY CHANGED THE SIZE AND STRENGTH OF THE METAL USED IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE WEIGHT OF TRHE VEHICLE. WE WILL REPLACE IT, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU IT WILL FAIL AGAIN AND YOU'LL HAVE TO BRING IT BACK TO USE FOR CHANGE OUT AGAIN." WOW....WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11164167
Incident
Jun 4, 2018
Mileage
16,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 17, 2018

DURAMAX 2.8 ENGINE SUFFERED GCATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILUREH AT LESS THAN 72,000 MILES. DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE TO SHOW ENGINE HAS RECEIVED PROPER MAINTENANCE. THIS OCCURRED IN CENTER LANE OF I-95 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURRED ON 07SEP18 IN STAFFORD VA.

NHTSA ID
11129819
Incident
Sep 7, 2018
Mileage
71,800 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2018

OWNED THIS 2017 GMC CANYON FOR 1 YEAR AND 1 MONTH WITH 5000 MILES WHEN IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK. BROUGHT TO DEALER WHO FOUND THE OIL LEAK COMING FROM A "PINHOLE" IN THE OIL COOLANT HOSE. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS SPECIFIC OIL LEAK ONLINE A FOUND A FORUM POST WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE SINCE THE 2015 MODEL YEAR. OTHER PEOPLE DID NOT NOTICE THE LEAK UNTIL ALL OF THEIR OIL HAD DRAINED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO SERVICE. I NOTICED IT EARLY ENOUGH THAT I STILL HAD OIL WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS STILL AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE 2018 MODELS TOO, BUT NOT MUCH IS BEING DONE BY GM TO PROACTIVELY FIX THE BAD HOSES.

NHTSA ID
11124380
Incident
Aug 31, 2018
Mileage
5,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2018

NOX SENSOR POSITION 2 FAILED, SECOND OCCURRENCE, DIESEL VEHICLE ENTERED LIMP MODE. LIMP MODE IS DANGEROUS AND INDICATED DEF FLUID ISSUE. THIS IS A FALSE POSITIVE (AS DESCRIBED IN MANY PLACES ON THE INTERNET AND BY THE DEALER) AS A RESULT OF THE SENSOR FAILURE. FIRST DEALER DID NOT STOCK THE PART, DEALER 178 MILES AWAY HAD THE PART IN STOCK. LIMP MODE IS A CONTINUED DECREASE IN VEHICLE MAX SPEED. WHILE A FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS CRITICAL, IT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLACE AN OWNER AT RISK. BY THE TIME I REACHED THE SECOND DEALER, I HAD 4 MILES UNTIL THE VEHICLE WOULD DEGRADE TO 4MPH. I WAS ASKED TO LEAVE WITHOUT EXECUTION OF A CRITICAL STEP, BECAUSE GM DOCUMENTS DID NOT RECOMMEND THAT STEP AS PART OF THE REPAIR. 2 SCENARIOS EXIST, SENSOR FAILURE WITHOUT LIMP MODE AND FAILURE WITH LIMP MODE. IN LIMP MODE THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN LONG ENOUGH TO RESET THE FAILURE AND GM SHOULD INCLUDE THIS IN THE REMEDIATION. INCREMENTALLY, THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE A PROCESS TO RESET LIMP MODE TO ALLOW TRAVEL WITHOUT THIS MODE UNTIL THE NEXT IGNITION CYCLE. ALSO THIS WOULD BE A PREFERABLE SERVICE FROM ONSTAR. THE LIMP MODE IS GREAT FOR THE CASUAL ISSUE BUT CREATES A RISK TO LIFE AND LIMB FOR TRAVELERS AND SHOULD HAVE LIMITED OVER RIDE CAPABILITY. BEING THE FAILURE HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA WITH CONCRETE BARRIERS ON EACH SIDE THIS CREATED GREAT STRESS. NO AMERICAN SHOULD OWN A VEHICLE COSTING $41000 THAT LEAVES YOU AT RISK OR STRANDED. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE.

NHTSA ID
11088484
Incident
Apr 6, 2018
Mileage
14,800 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .