GMC Canyon problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

GMC Canyon problems mirror the Chevy Colorado: torque-converter shudder on 2017–2019 trucks with the 3.6L V6 and 8-speed, harness chafing on the 2.8L Duramax, and 2015 power steering recalls. The 2023+ Canyon's 2.7L turbo has GM bulletins for harness chafing near the turbo, and AT4X AEV trucks carry a passenger air bag recall.

CarWhere lists 9 documented Canyon issues, including 5 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

Canyon generations at a glance

GMC Canyon generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
2nd gen2015–2022Loss of electric power steering assist (2015 recalls) · Driver frontal air bag may inflate improperly (recall) · Torque-converter shudder on the 8-speed automatic (3.6L) · Warning lights and DEF messages from engine harness chafing (2.8L Duramax) · DEF system fault in freezing weather (2022 diesel emissions recall)
3rd gen2023–presentCheck-engine light, injector codes and no-starts from harness chafing (2.7L turbo) · Unexpected automatic emergency braking (recall) · Front wheel hub bolts may be over-tightened (recall) · AT4X AEV passenger air bag may deploy at the wrong stage (recall)

2nd gen Canyon problems (2015–2022)

Loss of electric power steering assist (2015 recalls) (2015)

Safety recall
Generation:
2nd gen (2015)
Years:
2015
Powertrain:
All engines

A poor electrical connection inside the steering gear connector can cut electric power steering assist on 2015 Canyon trucks. GM first recalled trucks built January 6 to mid-March 2015 (16V054), then issued a second 2015-model recall for the same loss-of-assist condition in 2021 (21V213).

Symptoms

  • Steering suddenly turns heavy, especially at low speed
  • Power steering warning message

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order
  • Make slow, full-lock turns in a parking lot and feel for assist dropping out

NHTSA recall: 21V213 (2021-03)

Sources: [1]

Driver frontal air bag may inflate improperly (recall) (2015–2016)

Safety recall
Generation:
2nd gen (2015–2016)
Years:
2015–2016
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled 2015–2016 Canyon trucks because the driver's frontal air bag may inflate improperly during second-stage deployment in a high-speed crash. Separate early recalls also covered 2015 driver air bag deployment (14V645) and inflator attachment (15V157) on some trucks.

Symptoms

  • No symptoms before a crash

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 17V621 (2017-10)

Sources: [1][2]

Torque-converter shudder on the 8-speed automatic (3.6L) (2017–2019)

Moderate
Generation:
2nd gen (2017–2019)
Years:
2017–2019
Powertrain:
3.6L V6 (LGZ) with 8-speed automatic (8L45)

GM bulletin 18-NA-355 covers 2017–2019 Canyon trucks with the 3.6L V6 and 8-speed automatic that shake or shudder at light throttle between 25 and 80 mph, a feeling owners compare to driving over rumble strips. The fix is a full fluid exchange to the revised Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP; GM says mixing in other fluid or additives will not cure it.

Symptoms

  • Shudder like rumble strips at steady 25–80 mph cruising
  • Vibration under light acceleration, not during shifts

Check before buying

  • Cruise at 40–60 mph with a light throttle and feel for shudder
  • Ask whether the 18-NA-355 fluid exchange was done

Sources: [3]

Warning lights and DEF messages from engine harness chafing (2.8L Duramax) (2016–2022)

Moderate
Generation:
2nd gen (2016–2022)
Years:
2016–2022
Powertrain:
2.8L Duramax diesel (LWN)

GM bulletin 22-NA-003 covers 2016–2022 Canyon diesels that can show a cluster of warning lamps, DEF messages, a check-engine light, an erratic oil-pressure gauge, rough running or even a crank-no-start. The listed cause is chafing of the engine wiring harness or connectors, and the repair is to locate and fix the damaged section.

Symptoms

  • Several warning lamps at once or a DEF warning message
  • Erratic oil pressure gauge
  • Crank but no start, rough running or misfire

Check before buying

  • Scan all modules for stored codes, not just the engine
  • Ask whether any engine-harness repairs have been done

Sources: [4]

DEF system fault in freezing weather (2022 diesel emissions recall) (2022)

Minor
Generation:
2nd gen (2022)
Years:
2022
Powertrain:
2.8L Duramax diesel (LWN)

GM ran emissions recall N222359340 on 2022 Canyon diesels because, with frozen DEF in the tank, the pump could start before the heater had thawed it. The system then logs a fault, stops DEF dosing for that drive and warns of an upcoming speed limit. Dealers reprogram the engine computer.

Symptoms

  • DEF warning and "speed will be limited" message on cold starts

Check before buying

  • Ask the dealer to confirm emissions recall N222359340 is complete by VIN

Sources: [5]

3rd gen Canyon problems (2023–present)

Check-engine light, injector codes and no-starts from harness chafing (2.7L turbo) (2023–2025)

Moderate
Generation:
3rd gen (2023–2025)
Years:
2023–2025

GM engineering bulletin PIE0808 covers 2023–2024 Canyon trucks with the 2.7L turbo that set injector-circuit, misfire or cold-start codes; technicians are told to inspect the harness near the turbo actuator. A 2025 preliminary bulletin (PIP6062) for 2023–2025 trucks ties no-start, reduced-power, ABS and CAN-bus faults to the engine harness rubbing on the turbo heat shield or wastegate linkage.

Symptoms

  • Check-engine light with injector or misfire codes
  • Reduced Power message or no start
  • ABS lamp or multiple unrelated warnings

Check before buying

  • Scan for stored codes across all modules
  • Have the harness near the turbocharger wastegate inspected for rub-through
  • Ask for records of any harness repair

Sources: [6][7]

Unexpected automatic emergency braking (recall) (2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2023)
Years:
2023
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled certain 2023 Canyon trucks because the front camera module could falsely detect an obstacle and trigger automatic emergency braking when nothing is there, which can cause an abrupt slowdown.

Symptoms

  • Hard, unexpected braking with no obstacle ahead
  • Forward-collision alert with a clear road

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 24V133 (2024-02)

Sources: [8]

Front wheel hub bolts may be over-tightened (recall) (2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2023)
Years:
2023
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled certain 2023 Canyon trucks because the front wheel hub bolts may have been over-tightened and damaged during assembly, allowing them to loosen or break and potentially causing loss of control.

Symptoms

  • Clunk or wobble from a front wheel
  • Steering vibration that worsens with speed

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 24V237 (2024-03)

Sources: [8]

AT4X AEV passenger air bag may deploy at the wrong stage (recall) (2024–2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2024–2026)
Years:
2024–2026
Powertrain:
All engines (AT4X AEV Edition)

GM recalled certain 2024–2026 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition trucks because incorrect air bag module software may fire the passenger air bag's second stage when only the first stage is intended, failing federal occupant-protection standard FMVSS 208. The remedy is a software update.

Symptoms

  • No symptoms before a crash

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 25V856 (2025-12)

Sources: [9][10]

Related Canyon research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints is a different question, answered in the years-to-avoid research from NHTSA complaint counts.

Confirm how a Canyon was ordered before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a GMC Canyon VIN into the factory-ordered option codes (RPOs) on record — engine, transmission, axle and packages. $9.99, instant.

GMC build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

Does the GMC Canyon have the same problems as the Colorado?

Yes, the two trucks share engines, transmissions and most recalls in each generation, though a few campaigns, such as the AT4X AEV air bag software recall, are Canyon-only.

What years of GMC Canyon have transmission shudder?

GM bulletin 18-NA-355 covers 2017–2019 Canyon trucks with the 3.6L V6 and 8-speed automatic. Dealers perform a full fluid exchange to revised Mobil 1 LV ATF HP.

Is the Canyon 2.8L Duramax reliable?

Its documented issues are engine harness chafing that triggers warning lamps or no-starts on 2016–2022 trucks (bulletin 22-NA-003) and a 2022 emissions recall for DEF faults in freezing weather.

What problems does the 2023+ Canyon 2.7L turbo have?

GM bulletins PIE0808 and PIP6062 cover check-engine lights, injector codes and no-starts linked to the engine harness rubbing near the turbo wastegate on 2023–2025 trucks.

How do I check a Canyon for open recalls?

Enter the VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup, then ask a GMC dealer to confirm any GM emissions recalls or special coverage, which may not appear in the NHTSA search.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. NHTSA recalls: 2015 GMC Canyon — NHTSA
  2. NHTSA recalls: 2016 GMC Canyon — NHTSA
  3. GM Service Bulletin 18-NA-355: Shake and/or shudder during light throttle acceleration (8L45/8L90) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  4. GM Service Bulletin 22-NA-003: Warning lamps, MIL, DEF messages – engine harness chafing (2.8L LWN) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  5. GM Product Emission Recall N222359340: DEF pump may activate before frozen DEF is thawed — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  6. GM Engineering Information PIE0808: MIL with injector-circuit DTCs, 2023–2024 Colorado/Canyon 2.7L — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  7. GM Preliminary Information PIP6062: Engine harness chafing at turbo heat shield / wastegate linkage (2.7L) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  8. NHTSA recalls: 2023 GMC Canyon — NHTSA
  9. NHTSA recalls: 2024 GMC Canyon — NHTSA
  10. NHTSA recalls: 2026 GMC Canyon — NHTSA

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Corvette, Duramax, Vortec and the model names are trademarks of their owner.