FaultScore

GMC Canyon steering problems

441 of the 1,948 complaints filed about the GMC Canyon are about the steering — 23% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2015.

441

Complaints

23%

Share of all complaints

9

Crashes

1

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

2005 Canyon 1 0.2%

Median failure at 72,000 miles

2007 Canyon 4 0.9%

Median failure at 93,705 miles

2008 Canyon 1 0.2%

Median failure at 3,000 miles

2012 Canyon 2 0.5%

Median failure at 121,966 miles

2015 Canyon 224 50.8%

Median failure at 67,528 miles

2016 Canyon 178 40.4%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

2017 Canyon 8 1.8%

Median failure at 47,000 miles

2018 Canyon 4 0.9%

Median failure at 4,500 miles

2019 Canyon 1 0.2%

Median failure at 65,200 miles

2020 Canyon 1 0.2%

Median failure at 63,432 miles

2021 Canyon 2 0.5%
2022 Canyon 6 1.4%

Median failure at 8,212 miles

2023 Canyon 3 0.7%

Median failure at 2,500 miles

2024 Canyon 5 1.1%
2026 Canyon 1 0.2%

Median failure at 600 miles

What owners said

2018 GMC Canyon Redlands, CA

STEERING

On many occasions, over several years of ownership, ''NEW in 2018, the trans has had violent shift Problems. I could only find 1, ONE instance where a person was "injured'' by ANY of the GM 8L transmissions. My neck is hurting Now. I'm compelled to do this for Others who been Scammed by GM as they still sell a 8 speed rewrapped. I can't believe this has been protected against being called a SAFETY ISSUE By any Gov. agency. I got my truck in Retirement and Know I can't and won't Tow a Trailer or Boat Like I planned to. If I cause a wreck, Knowing the Defect, I will be held Responsible, Not GM LLC. It just did something new on 7/23/26. it stuck I a mid range gear and wouldn't shift, I Bumped it into Neutral to slow down and Recover proper control. I've said enough, be safe if you Have an 8 Speed from GM, or a 10 speed too.Read UP.

NHTSA complaint #11753768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 GMC Canyon Tallahassee, FL

STEERING

While driving a few days ago, power steering abruptly stopped working and a service power steering message appeared. It was very difficult to steer the vehicle back home. I've tried replacing the battery and resetting the steering sensor to no avail.

NHTSA complaint #11753891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon Jackson, TN

STEERING

Power steering and stabalink malfunction causing a radom and very dangerous complete power steering failure. GM was forced to do two recalls for this failure, one in 2016 and another in 2021 but they excluded any Canyon made after May of 2015. The recall should include these as well because their claimed fix did no such thing which is very dangerous to the occupants of the Canyon as well as other vehicle occupants on the road.

NHTSA complaint #11752646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Port Huron Township, MI

STEERING

Was in my garage and started up my truck and seen an alert regarding the steering. Reversed truck and was un-able to steer the truck. Steering wheel would not move at all.

NHTSA complaint #11748199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon Stanfordville, NY

STEERING

Was driving my truck and would randomly lose power steering while driving. When the power steering cut out it would jerk the steering wheel to the left a little bit and if I pulled over and turned the key off and turned it back on, it would reset and start working until it happened again, which could be five minutes later or 20 minutes later. It would cut out at any given time. I am the second owner of this vehicle and once this problem started happening I looked into it and found out that there was a recall on this, and the recall had been satisfied in 2021 but the problem obviously was not fixed. Tried calling several dealerships with no luck and was forced to get it fixed at my regular shop at a cost of $3023.07. I have receipts for the repair. This is clearly an issue that was never resolved.

NHTSA complaint #11745850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Livingston, CA

STEERING

Power steering and StabiliTrack warning pops-up randomly and cuts off power steering assistance while I'm driving on the highway or on country roads. The power steering is very hard to maneuver. However, when it's safe to do so, I have to pull over on a safe place and have to restart my truck twice, in order to regain power steering. I have taken it to an independent mechanic and to a Chevy dealership on Merced. The dealership service tech informed me that in order to service the vehicle and find the code that is making this issue, that I would have to continue driving the truck and bring it in to the dealership with the power steering and StabiliTrack warning. According to the technician, they can't do much due to that they don't know what is causing the power steering to malfunction. I haven't been able to take it to the dealership because the warnings have occurred while I'm far away from a dealership or diagnosis area. Also, I will not risk my safety maneuvering a vehicle that has lost electric power steering around a city where lots of left or right turns are necessary to drive to a locality. This is the only vehicle I have to go to work or travel and fear for my safety when this happens. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #11745386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Portland, OR

STEERING

This is a constant issue where the power steering issues disabled while driving and its very damgerous usually i just turn it off and on it fixes it, but then it happens again and frequently

NHTSA complaint #11745392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Framingham, MA

STEERING

Recurring Stabilitrack issues while driving. Reset system replaced fuses and issue keeps happening. Bringing for further service.

NHTSA complaint #11744842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 GMC Canyon at 600 miles Winter Garden, FL

STEERING

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions and exceeding 35 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown steering wheel part was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was taken back to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and exceeding 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered on bumpy roads. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired as of yet because the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 600.

NHTSA complaint #11742788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon Firth, ID

STEERING

Driving I15 and went to take my exit and the power steering went out and I almost rolled the truck now the eps won’t even come on. There needs to be a recall for my vin like there is for all other trucks that year. There was no warning just shut off immediately if my wife was driving she would’ve rolled the truck. It hasn’t been looked at but there is a ton of recalls for the same issue with 2015 and for some reason my vin is not listed. This needs to be solved asap as this is my only vehicle that I use to take to work

NHTSA complaint #11742455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon North Charleston, SC

STEERING

The power steering and Stabilitrak systems intermittently fail while the vehicle is in operation. The issue occurs unpredictably, both immediately after startup and while driving. On several occasions, the systems have failed during turns, requiring sudden corrective action and increased steering effort to maintain control and avoid veering off the road or colliding with nearby vehicles. No warning signs or noticeable symptoms are present prior to the failure occurring.

NHTSA complaint #11736748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon Argyle, TX

STEERING

My 2015 GMC CANYON had been running for approximately 10 minutes. I was on the highway driving home from the DFW airport doing 65mph. My wife was we me as we were driving home from a trip to visit our grandchildren. A message popped up on the display that said my power steering had failed, a chime also alerted me. It was immediately noticeable as I could barely turn the steering wheel. If I had been in a turn I may not have been able to control the truck and may have caused an accident. The truck has 94,000 miles on the odometer. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11735470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon at 125,000 miles Shreveport, LA

STEERING

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist. The messages "Service Power Steering System" and "Service Traction Control System" were displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V054000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #11719360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Pflugerville, TX

STEERING

1. The power steering failed when I was driving my 2016 GMC Truck. 2. The failure caused the steering of the truck to be very difficult putting myself and any passengers at risk. 3. This issue occurred on 2/19/26 at about 3:00PM Central time while driving. Power steering warning lights did illuminate. 4. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone at this time. Please note there is a safety recall associated with the 2015 GMC Canyons for the exact same problem. Instructions were given to submit a report to the NHTSA and the vehicle's owner may be eligible for reimbursement or free repair is a "hidden," warranty extension or "customer satisfaction program" covers it.

NHTSA complaint #11719183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon Bulverde, TX

STEERING

Loss of power steering. This is a known problem with the 2015 GMC Canyon models. My 2016 GMC Canyon has the same problem. This is a serious issue. A recall should be issued. It has happened to me several times.

NHTSA complaint #11717197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon at 102,000 miles Buffalo Grove, IL

STEERING

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering gear had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA complaint #11716223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon Conroe, TX

STEERING

While driving the truck, it suddenly locks up the steering and I have to maneuver safely to stop. This has happened to me various times and its scary and dangerous.

NHTSA complaint #11715233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon Somerset, PA

STEERING

The steering on my truck a 2015 GMC Canyon totally locked up! Fortunatlly the vehicle was parked when this happened. Suppose I had been on an interstate highway at 65 miles per hourwhen this happened! There was a recall for this very same problem on this very same 2015 model in 2016. My vehicle was not part of the recall and I feel that it should have been in the recall and maybe this wouldn't have happened This recall was Bulletin No.15595A.

NHTSA complaint #11714947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Canyon at 150,000 miles Petersburg, VA

STEERING

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering feature suddenly malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. After the failure occurred, the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who diagnosed that the steering column was faulty and needed to be replaced. The steering column was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer was aware of the failure involving the steering column on similar vehicles, but had not issued a recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11712330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Canyon at 95,000 miles Dripping Springs, TX

STEERING

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, he observed a burning odor in the cabin of the vehicle, and the steering wheel became stiff, requiring significant effort to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted on several occasions. However, over time, the failure reoccurred more frequently. The contact stated that after the failure had occurred, the messages "Service Power Steering” and “Stabili-trak" were displayed. The contact was almost involved in two crashes due to the failure. The contact then received notice of an unknown recall, and the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the dealer acknowledged the recall repair. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the cover to a power sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred two months later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA complaint #11709072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other GMC Canyon problems