2018 GMC Canyon Reliability
The 2018 GMC Canyon has 53 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and electrical system. Compared with nearby Canyon model years (2016–2020), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Canyon's typical year, while the 2020 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
53
NHTSA owner complaints
1
Recall campaigns
2
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2018 GMC Canyon complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 model year, filed between 2018 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 27 | 51% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 19% |
| Engine | 6 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 9% |
| Steering | 4 | 8% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 4 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 6% |
2018 GMC Canyon recalls
1 recall campaign on NHTSA record for the 2018 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V358000 | May 31, 2018 | Fuel system — delivery / fuel pump | 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… |
How the 2018 compares with nearby Canyon years
Verdicts compare these Canyon model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 271 | 4 | Steering | Caution |
| 2017 | 66 | 1 | Powertrain / transmission | Solid |
| 2018 (this page) | 53 | 1 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2019 | 17 | 0 | Powertrain / transmission | Better year |
| 2020 | 15 | 0 | Powertrain / transmission | Better year |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
The 2018 GMC Canyon on the used market
- Median asking price $21,500 at a median 99,294 miles, across 322 live US dealer listings in CarWhere's depreciation study.
What to check on a used 2018 GMC Canyon
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 1 campaign above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2018 GMC Canyon can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2018 GMC Canyon reliability FAQ
Is the 2018 GMC Canyon reliable?
The 2018 GMC Canyon has 53 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and electrical system. Compared with nearby Canyon model years (2016–2020), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Canyon's typical year, while the 2020 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2018 GMC Canyon problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Canyon are powertrain / transmission (27), electrical system (10), engine (6), unknown or other (5). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2018 GMC Canyon have recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2018 GMC Canyon, including 18V358000 (fuel system — delivery / fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2018 GMC Canyon compare with the 2017 and 2019 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2017 has 66 complaints and 1 recall (solid); the 2019 has 17 complaints and 0 recalls (better year). The 2018 has 53 complaints and 1 recall.
How do I check a specific used 2018 GMC Canyon?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More GMC Canyon research
Other GMC Canyon model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2018 Canyon, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.