SLOW AND GO DRIVING 20-40MPH AFTER COASTING AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION BUCKS HESITATES TRYING TO FIND A LOWER GEAR. IT CAN'T DECIDE WHICH GEAR TO GO INTO AND JUST SPUTTERS AND CHUGS UNTIL I PUSH THE ACCELERATOR 1/2 WAY DOWN OR MORE THE FINDS ITS GEAR AND ROCKETS OFF. THIS TYPE OF DRIVING NOT SAFE AT ALL. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME SINCE PRACTICALLY NEW. GM CLAIMS ITS NORMAL. …
2016 gmc Canyon powertrain problems
moderate 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
VEHICLE FREQUENTLY SHUTS OFF DURING BRAKING OR WHILE STOPPED AND MUST BE RESTARTED BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN OPERATE AGAIN. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIOLENT GEAR CHANGES AND SIGNIFICANT LAGGING DURING PERIODS OF MODERATE ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. GEAR CHANGES RESULT IN EITHER SEVERE UNRESPONSIVENESS AND A GENERAL LACK OF ACCELERATION OR AN AGGRESSIVE GEAR CHANGE THAT JERKS THE VEHICLE AND SPINS THE TI…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 gmc Canyon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 34 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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