2016 GMC Canyon

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 GMC Canyon
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Canyon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 2004: 80 complaints 2004 2005: 113 complaints 2006: 48 complaints 2007: 42 complaints 2007 2008: 38 complaints 2009: 27 complaints 2010: 8 complaints 2010 2011: 12 complaints 2012: 23 complaints 2015: 300 complaints 2015 2016: 267 complaints 2016 2017: 65 complaints 2018: 51 complaints 2018 2019: 16 complaints 2020: 13 complaints 2021: 10 complaints 2021 2022: 23 complaints 2023: 54 complaints 2024: 204 complaints 2024 2025: 8 complaints 2026: 4 complaints 2026
2016: 267 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
200480
2005113
200648
200742
200838
200927
20108
201112
201223
2015300
2016267
201765
201851
201916
202013
202110
202223
202354
2024204
20258
20264

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 66%

66% of complaints: steering — 176 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ON 12/29.2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 AM ON A CLEAR BRIGHT DAY I WAS DRIVING NEAR MY MY HOME RETURNING FROM AND ERRAND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160703

FAULTY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CAUSED VEHICLE VEER OFF THE RODE HITTING A CONCRETE WALL, CONCRETE MAIL BOX AND TELEPHONE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS NORTH BOUND A TWO BLACK TOP ROAD AT A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND TURN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160121

POWER TRAIN 15%

15% of complaints: power train — 39 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 34 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

On [XXX] at approximately 5:30p, I was driving normal highway speed when I saw what I thought was exhaust trailing behind. There were NO dash warning lights, engine temperature showing normal range, car was performing normally.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240729

VEHICLE IGNITION KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED AND IT DOES NOT STAY IN PARK. VEHICLE CAN CRASH CAUSING INJURIES AND PROPERTY DAMAGE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 35000K MILES UNDER WARRENTY AND GMC REFUSES TO DO ANY THING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190219

ENGINE 8%

8% of complaints: engine — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

On [XXX] at approximately 5:30p, I was driving normal highway speed when I saw what I thought was exhaust trailing behind. There were NO dash warning lights, engine temperature showing normal range, car was performing normally.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240729

VEHICLE IGNITION KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED AND IT DOES NOT STAY IN PARK. VEHICLE CAN CRASH CAUSING INJURIES AND PROPERTY DAMAGE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 35000K MILES UNDER WARRENTY AND GMC REFUSES TO DO ANY THING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190219

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 5%

5% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 13 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2016 — complaint volume: 267
R 20160105 — latches/locks/linkages

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado trucks manufactured August 25, 2015 to September 24, 2015, and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured August 28, 2015 to September 24, 2015.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the console compartment door latch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 5, 2016.

Campaign 15V807000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160414 — air bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016.

Campaign 16V125000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171108 — air bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.

Campaign 17V621000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180702 — fuel system, gasoline

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018.

Campaign 18V358000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 GMC Canyon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (176 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (39 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 15V807000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V125000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V621000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V358000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2008 ▲ 2007 ▲ 2006

WORST YEARS

■ 2015 ■ 2024 ◆ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2016 GMC Canyon reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 GMC Canyon is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Canyon?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 66% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Canyon have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.