This page covers 6 recalls, 262 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 GMC Canyon.
20–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.8 L/100km
Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Steering dominates the complaint picture for the 2016 GMC Canyon by a wide margin. Owners frequently report intermittent electric power steering failure, describing the wheel becoming suddenly heavy or seizing up, often accompanied by a power steering warning light. The problem shows up both immediately after startup and while driving, including during turns. Some owners report it happening repeatedly across multiple incidents with the same vehicle. The Stabilitrak stability control system is often mentioned alongside the steering loss, with both systems dropping out at the same time. Powertrain complaints are a distant second, with a recurring pattern of transmission shudder that owners describe as an ongoing drivability concern rather than an acute failure. Electrical system complaints round out the picture but at much lower volume. The steering issue is clearly the defining complaint for this model year, with the sudden increase in steering effort during the loss being the symptom owners describe most consistently.
262
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 GMC Canyon has 6 recalls, the most serious being a fuel pump that can detach and damage the high-pressure fuel line, creating a fuel leak and raising the risk of a fire.
Two recalls address the driver's frontal airbag, which may not inflate properly during the second stage of deployment in a high-speed crash, raising the risk of injury. These affect vehicles built within specific production windows, so not all Canyon trucks from this model year are involved. The console compartment lid latch is covered by two recalls describing the same issue: in a crash, the lid may fly open and allow stored items to strike occupants.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump can separate from its mounting flange, potentially damaging the high pressure fuel line.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and fuel pipe at no cost.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 4 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag may inflate incorrectly during its second stage of deployment in a high-speed crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag may inflate improperly during its second stage of deployment in a high-speed crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front airbag second stage may not inflate fully or quickly enough during high-speed crashes, potentially increasing injury risk.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the driver front airbag module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The console compartment lid latch may fail to hold the door closed during a crash, which can allow the door to open and potentially cause injury.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the console compartment door latch assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The console compartment latch may fail to keep the door closed during a crash, potentially causing the door to open and increasing injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the console-compartment latch assembly with a corrected version.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
