Is the 2016 GMC Canyon a bad year?
271 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Canyon years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 GMC Canyon are in line with other Canyon years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Canyon owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 64,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 181 (67%) | 47k–105k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Stability control | 13 (5%) | 50k–83k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 39 (14%) | 1k–20k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 38 (14%) | 9k–52k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 22 (8%) | 15k–51k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 64,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 271 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 3 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
16 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving, the engine picks and chooses when to speed up. I press the gas peddle down and have to wait a few seconds before the vehicle responds.
When attempting to turn left onto a highway from a stop sign, the transmission failed to engage, with a 2-SECOND delay before engaging and accelerating into the turn.
The transmission does not shift properly, when you slow down from approx 40 to 20 then step on the gas the truck has a long hesitation.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 64,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 GMC Canyon: 4
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from GMC: 538
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 GMC Canyon. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2015 Canyon: 304 complaints, keep it · 2017 Canyon: 66 complaints, keep it.
Every GMC Canyon year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Canyon years side by side
Other GMC models: GMC Acadia · GMC Denali · GMC Envoy · GMC Envoy XL · GMC Envoy Xuv · GMC Jimmy · GMC Safari · GMC Savana · GMC Sierra · GMC Sierra 1500 · GMC Sierra 2500 · GMC Sierra 3500 · GMC Sierra Denali · GMC Sonoma · GMC Terrain · GMC Yukon · GMC Yukon Denali · GMC Yukon Denali XL · GMC Yukon XL · GMC Yukon XL 1500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 GMC Canyon a bad year?
271 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Canyon years. At 64,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Canyon?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (181), stability control (13), transmission and drivetrain (39), electrical system (38), engine (22).
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Canyon have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-358), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-621), Air bags (NHTSA 16V-125), Latches and locks (NHTSA 15V-807). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.