2026 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 2026 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
- Powertrain (other)333.3%
- Driver assistance222.2%
- Steering222.2%
- Brakes111.1%
- Other / unspecified111.1%
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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I’ve included all my repair orders regarding to coolant smell/leak and transmission shutter. I purchased my truck on XXX. We had planned a family vacation to [XXX], and we were driving up when I felt the transmission shutter at around 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. while cruising at approximately 55 to 62 mph. Since then, I’ve noticed it happening more frequently. I took the truck to GMC dealer Jack Hanaia at [XXX] (I believe it was in XXX). I expressed my concerns, and they couldn’t find any issues with the transmission, along with the coolant leak. They claimed they couldn’t find a leak, but the service advisor could smell a strong coolant leak. Later on March 5th the coolant leaked, and I got a different advisor. She could smell the leak but the tech couldn’t replicate the issue. A few months later, around August, I took the truck to a different dealership, the Buick GMC dealership at [XXX]. I informed them that I had a coolant leak smell, a transmission shutter, and other issues listed on the repair order They couldn’t find the transmission problem or the coolant leak, but the advisor could also smell the coolant leak. I’m getting tired of going to the dealership and getting a turnaround to go home with the same issue. I have issue with parking sensor blocked all the time. My AC issue is becoming more problem for me, the temp doesn’t match the reading with a thermometer, it’s way off to the point where I have to turn it to LoW to get max cold. When set at 65, it feels like 75 degree. I have videos. My last 2009 GMC Canyon 3.7 crew cab treated me and my family well for 13 years. I bought it in 2013 and sold it in XXX. I thought to choose GMC Canyon over Toyota Tacoma, but now that I’ve been experiencing this issue nonstop, I’m regretting the decision to pay the truck in full cash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was pushing the accelerator, and the transmission hesitated at about 45 mph. For about 2-3 seconds, the vehicle would not upshift. The RPMs revved, and finally the vehicle slam-shifted into gear. The vehicle drove normally for the rest of the drive cycle.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I’ve included all my repair orders regarding to coolant smell/leak and transmission shutter. I purchased my truck on XXX. We had planned a family vacation to [XXX], and we were driving up when I felt the transmission shutter at around 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. while cruising at approximately 55 to 62 mph. Since then, I’ve noticed it happening more frequently. I took the truck to GMC dealer Jack Hanaia at [XXX] (I believe it was in XXX). I expressed my concerns, and they couldn’t find any issues with the transmission, along with the coolant leak. They claimed they couldn’t find a leak, but the service advisor could smell a strong coolant leak. Later on March 5th the coolant leaked, and I got a different advisor. She could smell the leak but the tech couldn’t replicate the issue. A few months later, around August, I took the truck to a different dealership, the Buick GMC dealership at [XXX]. I informed them that I had a coolant leak smell, a transmission shutter, and other issues listed on the repair order They couldn’t find the transmission problem or the coolant leak, but the advisor could also smell the coolant leak. I’m getting tired of going to the dealership and getting a turnaround to go home with the same issue. I have issue with parking sensor blocked all the time. My AC issue is becoming more problem for me, the temp doesn’t match the reading with a thermometer, it’s way off to the point where I have to turn it to LoW to get max cold. When set at 65, it feels like 75 degree. I have videos. My last 2009 GMC Canyon 3.7 crew cab treated me and my family well for 13 years. I bought it in 2013 and sold it in XXX. I thought to choose GMC Canyon over Toyota Tacoma, but now that I’ve been experiencing this issue nonstop, I’m regretting the decision to pay the truck in full cash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
GM pushed a system update to my truck last week. I noticed the front bumper sensors are no longer working. In addition, the auto start-stop function no longer works.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Intermediate steering column defect causing a pronounced dashboard rattle. The dealer (Putnam GMC, Burlingame, CA) diagnosed the issue under warranty, but the required part is on national backorder with no ship date. The vehicle has been out of service at the dealership since September 2, 2026 awaiting the part. This is a steering-related defect on a brand-new vehicle with approximately 1,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions and exceeding 35 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown steering wheel part was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was taken back to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and exceeding 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered on bumpy roads. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired as of yet because the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 600.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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 2026 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger’s side rear brakes were making an abnormal crunching sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
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
when apply GM update V661.10. tire pressure sensors are wipe out. resulting in 4 flat tire being indicated on the display. GM has no answers for this. this is a safety system that should not be disabled
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 .