34 of the
1,948 complaints filed about the GMC Canyon
are about the suspension —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
Heat shield over drive train not installed properly. While driving since purchased I’d hear a metal reverberation / clunking sound that seemed to be under the truck. I even had it in for oil change service w/ dealer and no mention of finding anything. On Sat 3/15/2025 I took it back to dealer with the heat shield that was torn from the undercarriage over the drive train, the service person said it did not to appear to have been fastened at the factory before delivery to dealer/me. They were going to re-install it, however it was damaged; and I told them that was not acceptable to put a broken part back on the truck. I still don’t know what other damage has occurred to the vehicle due to the rubbing/clanking around while driving the 12,000 miles I have on it. They told me it was safe to drive and just come back when they get the part in. I have photos and videos; the dealer took the damaged heat shield from me and I don’t know what they did with it. Risk level to other drivers is the heat shield could have flown off truck while driving; to me inside the vehicle could have obstructed drive train and caused damage/accident, and other damage I’m still not aware of. Yes, dealer advised: Harnish GMC Puyallup, WA 253-840-6300 No fix yet. No warnings in vehicle or on any electronic displays. I noticed the sound right away on purchase but couldn’t identify it until it “got so bad” I went under the truck to look, and found it separated and dragging on the drive train.
NHTSA complaint #11650320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, an error message for the “Stabili-track” failure was displayed on the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times before. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle needed an alignment and steering rack replacement. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11611365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had this repeated issue since i purchased my 2016 GMC Canyon in 2020. The power steering goes out at different speeds with NO indication . The lights that appear on dash are power steering and stabilatrax. I have had the battery and all connectors replaced and now the rack and pinion that the sensor is in. These repairs have been very costly and this situation has been very dangerous as it happens without any warning. Just when i thought it was fixed with a new battery and cables it quit again in heavy traffic and i was almost hit by 2 vehicles. It has been in 3 different repair shops and now at a Chevrolet Dealership. They have ordered the parts twice and the 1st 1 came to them broken from the Factory, This part was recalled for all 2015 models, but not the 2016? Receiving broken parts even shows that there is an issue. I have read on some of your sites from others posting about their 2016 Colorado and Canyons having this same issue. Please look into this and try to help me if possible. I am beyond frustrated. Thank you very much
NHTSA complaint #11582907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frame rail rust holes, brackets wielded to frame supports for leaf springs wields rusted completely through frame making vehicle unsafe due to the potential leaf springs supports to frame of vehicle breaking away from frame dropping rear of vehicle onto rear axles and tires. Frame of vehicle has a lot of rusting and holes due to the excessive rusting.
NHTSA complaint #11531923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after work was completed on the tires, the independent mechanic informed him that due to severe undercarriage corrosion, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact also took the vehicle to a dealer who provided the same information as the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and informed him that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. No additional assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
NHTSA complaint #11449726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission slipped almost from start. Took three appointments and two years - If my shop foreman knew the third time, why did he not call and tell me we now know your problem. I finally got fed up and brought it in one more time. Starter from day ONE maybe 50% of time made loud bang when Bendix retracted. Shop refused to take it off!!! I checked ball joint boots. One feels like no grease in it. They 'LOOKED' at it. No answer and nothing was done. Has had 'lifter noise' since new when small acceleration. Noise rate accelerates till shift and then repeats. I'm told they don't hear anything. I am 76 and hard of hearing. Pleeeeeze - don't tell me there isn't any. Not my best day today and felt it's time to say crap is crap.
NHTSA complaint #11445813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned 2015 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after entering and starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of a loss of power steering torque sensor that was linked to the rack and pinion. The contact was informed that the Vin was included in NHTSA campaign number: 21V213000 (Suspension). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #11423068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRANSMISSION CONTINUALLY HAS ISSUES WITH THE FIRST TO SECOND GEAR CHANGE, SHUDDERS AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN DECELERATING, AND PRODUCES A LOUD 'CLUNK' NOISE WHEN WHEN REVERSE GEAR IS ENGAGED. IN ADDITION TO THE ' CLUNK', THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A RAPID MOVEMENT AS THE REVERSE GEAR IS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN TURNED AWAY FOR REPAIRS AS THEY CLAIM IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC TRAIT OF THE 8L90 ( 8 SPEED) TRANSMISSION. THE TSB OF CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO THE MOBIL1 DID TEMPORARILY MASK THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED AND WORSENED AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE. ON TO THE SUSPENSION, MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE ' ALL-TERRAIN' SUSPENSION PACKAGE. MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A VERY LOUD SUSPENSION ' SQUEAK' ALONG WITH A POOR RIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11396557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS BEGINNING TO MADE A NOISE WHILE MOVING DOWN THE ROAD, YOU CANNOT HEAR IT FROM THE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, YOU NEED TO BE ON THE OUTSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11373069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CHASSIS HAS BECOME SEVERELY RUSTED ON LEFT SIDE WHERE FRONT OF LEAF SPRING IS BOLTED TO IT. IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF AND IT HAS BEEN DENOTED AS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE" BY THE LOCAL GMC DEALERSHIP. TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION OTHERWISE. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE-KEPT FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. I BOUGHT IT NEW 9/2004. THE DEALERSHIP JUST DISCOVERED PROBLEM TODAY WHEN I WAS HAVING OTHER ROUTINE WORK DONE.
NHTSA complaint #11317941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY 80MPH AND THE STEERING WENT OUT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER FROM THE LEFT LANE INTO THE CENTER LANE, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN THE CENTER LANE. GMC STATED IT WAS JUST A DEFECTIVE PART. MY OPINION IS THAT IT IS A FAILED DESIGN THAT WOULD ALLOW A VEHICLE TO LOOSE STEERING AT 80MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS 46,700MI. I HAVE HAD NOISES IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF STEERING. I HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO GM FIVE TIMES TO FIX THE NOISES WITH NO SUCCESS.
NHTSA complaint #11255805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC CANYON. WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO MARTIN CADILLAC (LOCATED AT 12101 W OLYMPIC BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90064, (310) 464-2183) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN BRACKET DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,722.
NHTSA complaint #11170664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE WELD TO THE FRAME FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND TORSION BAR BROKE CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. WELD APPEARED DEFECTIVE. 60, 000 MILES ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11122990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC CANYON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11122078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REAR SUSPENSION LEAF PACKS EMIT A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN MOVING OVER UNEVEN TERRAIN. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE SUSPENSION SOUNDS LIKE IT IS IN A BIND AND THEN SLIPS. THE SOUND CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A SQUEAKING RATTLE OR A LOUD CHIRP. THE DEALER SERVICE BULLETINS SAY TO GREASE THE COMPONENTS AND NOT TO REPLACE THEM. THE ISSUE IS UNRESOLVED AND COULD LEAD TO A SAFETY ISSUE IF ANY PARTS FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #11119610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRAME IS RUSTING AND COLLAPSING IN AREA BETWEEN CAB AND BED ON BOTH SIDES I HAD ATOYOTATACOMA WITH THIS CONDITION AND MANUFACTURER BOUGHT IT BACK . MY VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN A COLLISION. 95000 MILES
NHTSA complaint #11100495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRAME HAS TOTALLY RUSTED AND IS BREAKING APART WHILE THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. SEE PHOTOS. THIS WAS NOTICED ON 09-18-17. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2004 AND AS YOU CAN TELL BY THE MILEAGE IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN VERY LITTLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11030190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2005 CREW CAB GMC CANYON Z85 SLE - LOCALIZED FRAME DETERIORATION DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH THE BOX FRAME. NO OTHER AREAS ON FRAME DISPLAY MORE THAN SURFACE RUST. PRESENT FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR TO ABOVE THE FRAME ELEVATION CHANGE, INCLUDING THE MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE REAR LEAF SPRING. HOLES AND SEAMS COMPLETELY OPEN IN AFFECTED AREAS. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY COMPROMISED AT JOINT OF CAB TO THE BED OF TRUCK. VEHICLE IS STILL FUNCTIONAL BUT DAMAGE TO THIS AREA DOES NOT ALLOW FOR TRUCK TO BE USED AS INTENDED. ANY SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT IN BED MAY CAUSE FRAME TO COLLAPSE. NOT RELATED TO ANY SPECIFIC INCIDENT. NO FAILURE TO OPERATE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10991150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.