VehicleVerdict

2016 GMC Canyon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 353 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.8 times the median Canyon year — the 2016 model ranks #2 of 21 Canyon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: steering issues account for 50% of all reports (177 of 353), far ahead of electrical system at 50. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

353

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Canyon years?

Canyon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted400 complaints2004: 103 complaints2005: 146 complaints2006: 81 complaints2007: 61 complaints2008: 68 complaints2009: 35 complaints2010: 9 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 30 complaints2015: 400 complaints2016: 353 complaints2017: 91 complaints2018: 70 complaints2019: 22 complaints2020: 19 complaints2021: 13 complaints2022: 39 complaints2023: 95 complaints2024: 255 complaints2025: 13 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Canyon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Canyon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 GMC Canyon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering17750%
Electrical System5014%
Transmission3911%
Engine216%
Other195%
Speed Control113%
Fuel System103%
Brakes93%
Airbags62%
Suspension41%
Driver Assistance21%
Lighting10%
Seats10%
Tires & Wheels10%
Body & Structure10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2016 GMC Canyon have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V358000Fuel SystemMay 31, 2018 · 895 units

Defect

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. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Consequence

A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

17V621000AirbagsOctober 5, 2017 · 16 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a 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. GM's number for this recall is 17387.

16V125000AirbagsMarch 2, 2016 · 1,579 units

Defect

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 manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Consequence

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.

15V807000Latches & LocksDecember 1, 2015 · 8,763 units

Defect

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. The affected vehicles have a console compartment lid latch assembly that may fail to keep the compartment door closed in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

Consequence

If the console compartment door does not remain closed in a crash, the contents stored in the console may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16370.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 90% THROUGH A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN WHEN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROAD, CONTINUE DOWN A DITCH HITTING A CONCRETE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 29, 2015 · crash

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 7, 2019 · crash

“Have had truck in shop several times, currently in the shop and has been there for almost 3 weeks nobody seems to know what the problem is. Vehicle losses power and goes into a limp mode. Temperature gauge keeps failing, exhaust break does not work, ac cuts out often and does not work often, keeps…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 30, 2021

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 7, 2019 · crash

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 7, 2019 · crash

2016 GMC Canyon — common questions

Is the 2016 GMC Canyon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 353 complaints put the 2016 model at #2 of 21 Canyon years. It is one of the Canyon years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Canyon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (177 complaints), electrical system (50 complaints), transmission (39 complaints).

Does the 2016 GMC Canyon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 GMC Canyon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Canyon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Canyon years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2024, 2005, 2004, 2023. The cleanest record among Canyon years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2016 GMC Canyon?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 GMC Canyon earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.