The Lemon Index
201520172nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
62 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Toyota Tacoma 1142016 Chevrolet Colorado 1502016 Nissan Frontier 26
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2016 GMC Canyon
- Steering rack / power steering87 complaintsmostly at 48,000–98,000 miles (77,000–158,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power25 complaints
Specific parts named in the 271 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Canyon (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,900 and 27,000 miles (4,700–44,000 km) (the middle half of the 57 complaints, of all 62 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V358000 (fuel system, gasoline), 17V621000 (airbags) and 16V125000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- GMC sent dealers 1577 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and GMC's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 62 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 27K miles (5K to 44K km) on the car (57 of all 62 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Faulty electric power steering caused vehicle veer off the rode hitting a concrete wall, concrete mail box and telephone. Vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was north bound a two black top road at a slight right hand turn.
2016 GMC Canyon owner · NHTSA complaint 10821567
More owner reports
Sag and hesitation while shifting,seems to get stuck or not sure what gear to be in.while making a turn truck hesitates no acceleration at 20mph.serious safety concern about getting rear ended
NHTSA complaint 11119324
The vehicle lost power steering while on the highway. Vehicle was towed to repair shop. Computer could not pick up the problem. Power steering was working again.
NHTSA complaint 11279121
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 1577 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…
- Some customers may comment that the vehicle has reduced acceleration at low speed and/or…
- This informational bulletin provides information on how to inspect the upper valve body to…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2018
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Show all 4 recalls
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Canyon PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/EC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every GMC Canyon year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-canyon/?y=2016" title="GMC Canyon reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/gmc-canyon/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 GMC Canyon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 GMC Canyon reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 165; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Canyon year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2016 GMC Canyon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (35%), steering (27%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Canyon have?
4 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 GMC Canyon get?
16 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 GMC Canyon safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Canyon problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,900 and 27,000 miles (4,700–44,000 km) (the middle half of the 57 complaints, of all 62 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2016 GMC Canyon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 35% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 GMC Canyon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 GMC Canyon have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What GMC Canyon year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works