2016 GMC Canyon problems
The 2016 GMC Canyon has 267 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 GMC Canyon has 267 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 177 complaints, typically surfacing around 79,655 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Canyon | 300 | 0 |
| 2016 Canyon (this page) | 267 | 0 |
| 2017 Canyon | 65 | 0 |
| 2018 Canyon | 51 | 0 |
| 2019 Canyon | 16 | 0 |
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 GMC Canyon PU/CC 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 GMC Canyon? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 177 owner reports · tends to show around 79,655 mi · ~$700 to fix
- powertrain — 34 owner reports · tends to show around 17,501 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 36,759 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 18,667 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 36,759 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 GMC Canyon
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2016 GMC Canyon
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~9,500 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~35,056 mielectrical~$850
- ~65,000 misteering~$700
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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 267 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 should I check before buying a used 2016 GMC Canyon?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 177 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,655 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 GMC Canyon a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 267 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 79,655 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 GMC Canyon?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 177 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 267 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.