The Lemon Index
201720192nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
21 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Toyota Tacoma 552018 Chevrolet Colorado 702018 Nissan Frontier 17
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 18V358000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? 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.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
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 21 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 6K to 28K miles (10K to 45K km) on the car (15 of all 21 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
Transmission jerks from 4th to 5th. Sometimes feels like someone hit you in the rear ended.
2018 GMC Canyon owner · NHTSA complaint 11123060
More owner reports
Transmission clunks feels like your hit in the rear end. I thought I was rear ended 3 times so far. My transmission surges forward from 4th to 5th gear. Very dangerous to wear I don't want to drive the truck.
NHTSA complaint 11128166
The automatic transmission shifts aggressively the first gears from a cold started engine after engaging from park to drive. Sluggish shifting and acceleration.
NHTSA complaint 11128149
Recalls 1
- 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.
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 RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| 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. 2018 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 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-canyon/?y=2018" 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/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 GMC Canyon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 GMC Canyon reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 62; 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 2018 GMC Canyon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (57%), electrical (19%) and steering (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 GMC Canyon have?
1 safety recall (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 2018 GMC Canyon get?
15 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 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.
Does the 2018 GMC Canyon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 57% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 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 2018 GMC Canyon have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What GMC Canyon year is better than the 2018?
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