GMC Canyon problems
262 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Warning on dash states Service Power Steering Drive With Care, results a complete loss of power steering assist. Happens at start up or while driving. Looses stability control and traction control as well.
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that an unknown steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was…
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…
I lose steering like the recall says, would like dealer to fix this as part of existing recall
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 GMC Canyon reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 262 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 GMC Canyon is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 GMC Canyon?
The 2016 GMC Canyon is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 GMC Canyon?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 173 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,655 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 79,655 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Canyon has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 GMC Canyon?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 262 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.