Canyon (2nd)
Verdict The 2.8L Duramax diesel scores 4.5, on 28 powertrain complaints from an estimated 15,000 trucks, against 5.6 for the 3.6L V6. On any V6 truck, confirm the 16V054 and 21V213 steering recalls are closed; steering accounts for more than half of all complaints.
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LFX - SIDI, VVT, E85 MAX, ALUM
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LGZ - DI: Direct Injection, VVT: Variable Valve Timing, ALUM, VAR2, GEN 2
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LWN - EUR04, DI: Direct Injection
2.8L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LCV - SIDI; DCVCP; VVT; E0-E100, ALUM
2.5L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
GMC Canyon Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
LG2 - DI: Direct Injection, VVT: Variable Valve Timing, ALUM, VAR2, GEN2
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Reliability Overview
The second-generation Canyon that arrived for 2015 carries 761 NHTSA complaints through 2022, and one problem dominates the record. Steering accounts for 428 of those complaints, more than half the total. The 2015-2016 LFX V6 logs roughly 182 complaints per year. This is not a case of sales volume inflating the count. The pattern is specific, and it is a safety-relevant one.
The Canyon offered four powertrains over this run, and they did not age equally. The 3.6-liter V6 drew 625 of the 761 complaints. The 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel four and the 2.5-liter gas four each drew far fewer, 58 and 57 respectively. Popularity tracks some of the V6's count, but the density gap is wide enough that the diesel and the base four look like the steadier picks on paper.
The steering cluster is the headline. Owners reported loss of power-steering assist, and GM issued steering recalls covering early-build trucks (16V054 and 21V213). Electrical complaints follow at 164 and transmission at 142, both filed as critical. The Canyon shares its bones with the Chevrolet Colorado, so many campaigns list both trucks together. Airbag recalls appear repeatedly across the 2015-2016 builds, part of the broader inflator problem of that era.
Beyond steering, the transmission bucket at 142 complaints deserves weight. The automatic drew reports of harsh or hesitant shifts, the kind of driveability issue GM tends to address through service updates rather than a formal recall. Electrical complaints at 164 cover a mix of infotainment, wiring, and body-control faults common to the era. Neither matches the steering problem's severity, but together they shape what ownership looks like on a higher-mileage V6 truck.
The second-generation Canyon works for a buyer who wants a right-sized pickup and will confirm the steering and airbag recalls are closed before signing. The diesel four in particular has a following for towing and highway economy. But the steering record on the V6 trucks is the single most important thing to check, and any open steering campaign should be closed before you buy.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Canyon, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
Engine choice matters more here than on most trucks. The 2.8-liter Duramax diesel and the 2.5-liter gas four both carry far lower complaint density than the 2015-2016 LFX V6, so a well-kept diesel or four-cylinder Canyon is the lower-risk buy if you can find one. On any V6 truck, the steering history is the deciding factor.
Test the steering hard on a drive, at parking-lot speeds and on the highway, feeling for any moment of lost assist or a warning light. Confirm the steering recalls (16V054, 21V213) and the 2015-2016 airbag campaigns show complete on the VIN through the NHTSA lookup. Check the transmission through a full range of gears under load, since it is the third-largest complaint bucket. On diesel trucks, budget for the emissions-system upkeep the 2.8-liter Duramax needs.
GM dealers complete these recalls at no cost, so an open campaign is a negotiating point rather than a reason to overpay for a truck advertised as clean that has not had the work done.
What to check on a used 2015-2022 GMC Canyon
On a used 2015-2022 GMC Canyon, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (428), the electrical system (164) and the transmission and drivetrain (142). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 428 owner complaints on the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon about the steering.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 164 owner complaints on the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 142 owner complaints on the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon about the engine, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 34 owner complaints on the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Recalls (13)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado vehicles equipped with a manual passenger seat. The front passenger seat may have a hook attachment that was not properly welded, allowing it to separate from the inboard track of the seat frame.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Canyon vehicles. The load carrying capacity printed on the Tire and Loading Information placard is 22.5 kg (51 lbs.) more than intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The power steering assist may be lost due to a poor electrical connection within the steering gear assembly.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
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.
Show 8 older recalls
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.
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 17, 2015, and 2015 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 19, 2015. A poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of power steering assist.
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."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured January 6, 2014, to December 24, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience the front brake calipers leaking brake fluid. This is due to air pockets, an imperfection in the metal caliper body.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured January 6, 2014, to April 1, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the hooks that secure the driver's and/or front passenger's seat frame may not have been properly attached to the vehicle body during assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured September 15, 2014, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured October 3, 2014, to December 9, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front driver air bag inflator that may be misaligned to the air bag module backplate. This can cause the inflator to separate from the backplate during a deployment.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 6, 2014, to October 1, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver air bag connections may have been wired incorrectly. This could reverse the deployment sequence and disrupt the deployment timing of the driver air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2015-2022 GMC Canyon complaints?
Owners have filed 761 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon. The systems they name most often are the steering, the electrical system and the transmission.
Is the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 761 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon have?
NHTSA has 761 owner complaints on file for the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2015-2022 GMC Canyon?
NHTSA lists 13 recalls covering some 2015-2022 GMC Canyon vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used GMC Canyon?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the electrical system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Canyon?
The 2022 GMC Canyon received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 3 stars (21.2% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 761 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.