Verdict
2016 GMC Canyon: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2016 GMC Canyon — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for truck.
Owners filed 267 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 58% of 2016 trucks. Steering leads the reports (66%). 4 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2016 trucks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
267
Reports to NHTSA, 2016
Safety recalls
4
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
21.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 58% of 2016 trucks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2016 trucks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Steering issues lead owner complaints (66% of 267 reports), followed by power train (13%).
+ 6 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 267 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11479321, ODI 11462008, ODI 10882340, ODI 10821567, ODI 11748199.
Recalls(4)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Air BagsMay 2017 · 17V621000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Air BagsFeb 2016 · 16V125000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Latches/Locks/LinkagesJan 2015 · 15V807000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
Fuel System · 18V358000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2016 GMC Canyon PU/EC 4WD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2016 GMC Canyon PU/EC RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2016 GMC Canyon PU/CC RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2016 GMC Canyon PU/CC 4WD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon 2WD | 2.8L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 22 | 30 | 25 |
| Canyon 4WD | 2.8L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 20 | 28 | 23 |
| Canyon 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 19 | 26 | 22 |
| Canyon 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 20 | 26 | 22 |
| Canyon 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 19 | 24 | 21 |
| Canyon 2WD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 18 | 25 | 21 |
| Canyon 4WD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 17 | 24 | 20 |
| Canyon Cab Chassis 2WD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 15 | 17 | 16 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2016 GMC Canyon: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2016 GMC Canyon?
Owners filed 267 NHTSA complaints about the 2016 GMC Canyon — more complaints than 58% of comparable 2016 trucks, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2016 GMC Canyon?
The most-reported problem areas are Steering (66% of complaints) and power train (13%).
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Canyon have?
4 recalls have been issued that affect the 2016 GMC Canyon, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2016 GMC Canyon get?
The EPA rates the 2016 GMC Canyon between 16 and 25 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.