I am experiencing two safety issues with my Canyon 1) Forward collision alert system is triggered unnecessarily (e.g., when there isn't a car in front of me, when the car in front is far away and not posing a risk). I took it to GMC a few months back since there was a previous recall for this system and they said they stated it was fixed. It is not fixed. I turned off the automatic braking tied…
2023 GMC Canyon electrical problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 31% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2023 GMC Canyon buyers face serious electrical gremlins, particularly false emergency braking events and blind-spot system failures, with dealers unable to fix some issues even after multiple service visits. Critical safety failures including fuel pump shutdown at highway speed and complete loss of instrument cluster leave owners stranded without functional diagnostics or repairs.
Owners report a cluster of electrical failures in the 2023 GMC Canyon starting at very low mileage. The forward collision avoidance system is the primary problem: it triggers emergency braking without any vehicle or object present, bringing trucks to hard stops in traffic at highway speeds. Owners describe multiple false alerts per drive, sometimes in rain or wet conditions. Software updates from dealers have not fixed it. The blind-spot monitoring system behaves opposite its design—flashing warnings when nothing is there and failing to alert when vehicles are actually present, worse during dusk and darkness.
One owner's truck lost all electrical power at 3,000 miles on I-75, with an 18-code fault dump pointing to fuel pump module failure. Other owners report digital speedometers going blank at startup with no analog backup, brake pedals causing steering wheel shake with display blackout, and completely non-functional instrument clusters and radio displays that dealerships cannot diagnose. Door latch issues prevent window operation, turn signals stick on, and the theft alarm cycles repeatedly. One owner had trailer brakes fail while towing. Dealerships consistently report parts on national backorder, cannot replicate issues, or tell owners to disable systems rather than fix them.
Same GMC Canyon electrical reports on nearby years: 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Forward Collision Avoidance System (FCAS) False Activation
System activates emergency braking without vehicles, objects, or pedestrians present in front of vehicle. Owners report unexpected full-force braking, nuisance alerts, and inability to trust system reliability.
When: Multiple instances across 2023 model year vehicles, ranging from 2,800 to 9,300 miles; some incidents occur in rain or wet conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic emergency braking applied without warning at highway and residential speeds; Flashing red light on windshield without threat present; Multiple erroneous alerts in single drive cycle; False positives when cars parked nearby or at safe distance ahead; System deactivates itself then reactivates intermittently
Codes mentioned: 24V133000
Repairs/costs cited: Software updates performed but failures persist; faulty components identified and placed on backorder with no replacement timeline
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V133000 (Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance); GM tech service states vehicle operating as intended in some cases; referred to NHTSA Hotline for assistance
Blind Spot Monitoring System Malfunction
System provides false positive alerts when no vehicles present and fails to alert when vehicles are actually in blind spot. Illumination and warning lights activate incorrectly, creating confusion and unsafe lane-change conditions.
When: Multiple occurrences across complaint timeline; issues worse during dusk, darkness, or cloudy conditions; occurred after dealer attempted repair in April 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Warning lights illuminate on side mirrors with no vehicle present; System fails to alert when vehicle actually in blind spot; Persistent false alerts causing drivers to swerve back into lane abruptly; Mirror lights blink and alert during lane changes with clear blind spot; Behavior opposite of intended design
Codes mentioned: PIT6103
Repairs/costs cited: All switches replaced except driver door on April 19, 2024; issue recurred and worsened; no successful repair to date
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM tech service states vehicle operating as intended; advised owner to turn system off or accept the malfunction
Fuel Pump Module Failure with Total Power Loss
Fuel pump module failure causes complete electrical shutdown at highway speed, affecting all electronics, dashboard, displays, and engine. Creates immediate safety hazard on high-speed interstate.
When: At 3,000 miles; November 12, 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of all power and electronics while driving; Dashboard and display screens shut off; Engine stall with no warning; 18 active engine codes generated
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Faulty fuel pump module identified; vehicle at dealership 7+ days; part availability unknown
Digital Gauge Cluster Blackout
Digital instrument cluster and speedometer display go blank on startup or during operation. With no analog backup speedometer, driver has no speed reference while operating vehicle.
When: Intermittent, occurring approximately 5% of startup instances; unknown specific mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Digital speedometer blank/black upon startup; Display remains blank during operation; No speed indication available to driver; Cluster display freezes and requires vehicle power cycle to reset
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Software update attempted without success; battery disconnect and system reset attempted by owner without resolution
Brake System Failure with Failed Brake Pad Part
Brake pedal application causes steering wheel to shake and center display blacks out. Brake pads fail; manufacturer-specified part (87850375) is not in production and on national backorder with no repair timeline.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shaking when brake pedal applied; Center display blackout during braking; Brake pad failure and continued brake degradation
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Part Number 87850375 unavailable; on national backorder; vehicle cannot be repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed part unavailable and unable to provide timeline
Acceleration Control Loss with AEB Engagement
Vehicle fails to accelerate as intended when pedal depressed; automatic emergency braking unexpectedly engages. 'Reduce Acceleration Proceed with Caution' warning displays with check engine light.
When: Approximately 9,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unresponsive to accelerator pedal input; Unexpected AEB engagement; 'Reduce Acceleration Proceed with Caution' message; Check engine warning light illuminated; Vehicle nearly rear-ended due to abrupt behavior
Codes mentioned: 24V133000
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle turned off and restarted to restore functionality; not professionally diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to NHTSA Campaign 24V133000
Door Latch System Failure
Driver-side door latch system prevents window operation. Service alert appears while driving. Limits driver response to traffic stops and prevents emergency window evacuation.
When: Unknown mileage; alert occurs during driving
Symptoms owners cite: Inability to lower driver-side window; Service alert illuminates on dashboard during operation; Prevents safe emergency response to traffic stops; Blocks emergency evacuation via window
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate or fix issue
Trailer Brake Harness Intermittent Failure
Trailering harness intermittently loses connection, causing trailer brake system to become inoperative during towing. Creates safety hazard for both towing vehicle and trailer.
When: Unknown mileage; occurred early in vehicle ownership within first 3 months
Symptoms owners cite: Trailering harness intermittently not functioning; Trailer brakes fail to engage while towing; No warning of malfunction
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Yet to be diagnosed by dealer
Turn Signal Sticking
Left turn signal remains illuminated after activation and requires manual deactivation. Creates confusion and safety hazard due to false indication of driver intent.
When: Unknown mileage; reported at dealer appointment after ~4,500 miles of other issues
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal stays on after initial activation; Requires manual deactivation; No automatic shutoff at turn completion
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer confirmed faulty turn signal; replacement in progress
HVAC Module Failure
HVAC module malfunction occurred early in vehicle ownership, requiring dealer replacement.
When: Approximately 200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: HVAC system malfunction
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Faulty HVAC module replaced by dealer
Theft Alarm False Activation
Theft alarm system activates repeatedly without apparent trigger or security breach. Dealership unable to resolve issue after multiple attempts.
When: Vehicle owned since September 2023; reported after multiple dealership visits
Symptoms owners cite: Theft alarm activation without triggered event; Repeated false activations; No apparent security breach
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits attempted; no successful repair achieved
Crash Detection System False Activation
Crash detection system activates and applies braking when no collision threat exists. Vehicle stops itself unexpectedly with no approaching traffic or obstacles.
When: Unknown mileage; reported with other electrical issues
Symptoms owners cite: Crash detection light illuminates on dashboard; Vehicle applies brakes and stops without threat present; No vehicles approaching or obstacles in path
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle at dealership 2+ weeks; no fix available
Automatic Braking System Unintended Engagement
Automatic emergency braking applies full braking force causing complete vehicle stop on highway without threat. ABS disable does not prevent failures. Occurs multiple times in single ownership period.
When: Multiple occurrences; one incident at 50 mph on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Complete stop during highway driving at 50 mph; Abrupt braking with no collision threat; Recurring failures despite ABS disabled; Disables only after software update that did not resolve issue
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Software update performed but issue persists; owner disabled automatic braking function
Instrument Cluster and Radio Complete Blackout
Entire digital instrument cluster and radio display go completely black and unresponsive. No diagnostic capability and no response to software updates.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Complete blackout of all dashboard displays and radio; No information display available; Unresponsive to power cycling
Codes mentioned: <UNKNOWN>
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostic inconclusive; software update unsuccessful
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Blind spot monitor system continues to give false alerts when no vehicles, objects or other items within blind spot area. Warning light will sometimes stay on for many miles and will go off when I pass another vehicle then go back on when nothing in blind spot again (opposite of design). System will sometime not activate when vehicle is in blind spot. See video. Dealer and GM involved, had…
On 12/2/2024 my vehicle abruptly alerted and auto braked while drive <25mph on residential street while attempting to drive in between two parked cars. Plenty of room but system thought there was going to be a crash. Another vehicle was traveling behind me and also had to stop fast in order not to hit me because of the emergency braking. Truck almost came to a full stop but brakes released and…
The whole radio screen and dashboard have gone completely black and will not come on. Can not see anything. Took it to GMC dealership mechanic. Mechanic did diagnostic and said he didnt know what was wrong with it. Update did not work.
During normal operations the truck will come to a complete stop. I turned off the ABS and it still happens. It caused a major incident today while I was driving 50mph and it brought me to an abrupt stop on the highway. It’s happened many times but today the driver behind me avoided my truck by an inch. I was then followed y that driver for half a mile when I immediately exited the highway.
Subject: Urgent Safety Concern Regarding 2023 GMC Canyon Fuel Pump Module Failure I am writing to express my concerns regarding a significant safety issue I experienced with my 2023 GMC Canyon, which has only 3,000 miles on the odometer. On November 12, 2024, while traveling southbound on Interstate 75 in Florida, my vehicle unexpectedly lost all power. All electronics, including the dashboard…
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that when applying the brake pedal, the steering wheel would begin shaking. The computer on the center council that displays information, had blacked out. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake pads had failed. The dealer had completed a software update for the main computer however the failure persisted. The vehicle…
Emergency Collison fault problem on the 2023 GMC Canyon Failure Date: 10/22/2023 Driving approximately 45mph while car in front is approximately 50 yards ahead driving at a matched speed as my vehicle and without any prior warning the forward collision alert activated flashing red light on windshield and automatically applying full braking until the truck came to a complete abrupt stop in the…
Had electrical trouble with your 2023 GMC Canyon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2023 GMC Canyon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 6,050 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/GMC/Canyon.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.