Issue #1: While driving on the highway, the screens flickered once in a while. While stopping at a gas station, the vehicle did not turn on. Everything was black as if there was no power. After a several minutes of trying, it came back. Apparently it was an electrical issue. Took it to the dealership shop, but they couldn't find anything wrong with it. A couple of month after, my son was driving and when he turned right, the vehicle shut off. Same issue, the vehicle went black but after a few minutes, he was able to turn it back on. Third time, my other son was driving. Arrived at his destination and when he was about to leave, the vehicle did not turn on. It was completely dead. The battery was good but all the electrical systems were dead. I had to tow the vehicle to the dealership. They changed the fuse box and that fixed the issue. It is dangerous because the vehicle can shut off anywhere at any time. Safety issue. Issue #2: Oil leak. The vehicle is a 2016 Canyon. It has about 76,000 miles on it. An oil leak was found in the engine. Had to take it to the dealership to fix it. Another high expense and repair. Issue #3: Power steering. While driving in the city, I got a warning saying that the power steering needed service. The wheel became extremely hard and it was difficult to steer the vehicle. I was able to bring the vehicle to a parking lot near to where the issue occurred but had to use a lot of strength to steer the vehicle to safety. I can not imagine what would've happened if I was driving on the highway or in a busy street. Apparently there is a recall for the 2015 vehicles but not for the 2016 even though it uses the same system and parts. Lots of complains online from 2016 vehicle owners reporting this same issue. Cost to repair the issue: $3,500 out of pocket. Issue #4: Media screen. The media screen keeps failing. This is the second screen installed by the dealership and it still have the same issues. At times it got black.
The worst 2016 GMC Canyon problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering181
- Transmission39
- Electrical38
- Engine22
- Driver assistance15
- Acceleration11
- Fuel system10
- Brakes9
- Airbags6
- Suspension4
- Body1
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 GMC Canyon
Power steering loss 83Loss of power 53Hesitation 8Steering lock-up 7Check engine light 6Jerking 6Stalling 6ABS 5Shudder 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2016 GMC Canyon mention
C0545 6
Recalls 4
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Recall number 18V358000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.
Recall number 17V621000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.
Recall number 16V125000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- If the console compartment door does not remain closed in a crash, the contents stored in the console may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the console compartment door latch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 16370.
Recall number 15V807000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 GMC Canyon 1,577
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size...
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
2016 GMC Canyon fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 4‑cyl Diesel | RWD | 22 | 30 | 25 |
| 2.8L 4‑cyl Diesel | 4WD | 20 | 28 | 23 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | RWD | 19-20 | 26 | 22 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-18 | 17-25 | 16-21 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 19 | 24 | 21 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 24 | 20 |
What 2016 GMC Canyon owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was driving around a windy road up a canyon with sheer cliffs, and my power steering suddenly went out. It took almost all my strength to steer it clear of me going off the canyon. It has since then gone out intermittently for months now. I’m waiting for the warranty to approve a replacement. I know this is a common issue with this year vehicle and there was a recall for the previous years version. Seeing how many complaints about this year make and model online for the same issue makes me wonder if a recall should be in place.
The power steering on the truck we purchased for our son for college went out while he driving, I had him take it to a local shop and they said this is a known issue from GM and a safety alert was issue under the federal safety agency 21V213000/GM Recall N202325410. However, even though GM used the exact same steering rack parts, they excluded 2016 models from the recall and issue TSB #16-NA-065 as an instruction guide for mechanics. The local shop that is doing the work also sited TSB-N202325410-01 issued from GM. I'm now having to pay $3,597 to have the steering rack replaced the truck, which has no other issues, so that it can be driven safely. This is more than a little surprising and has caused us to have to take money out of a line of credit we have against our home to cover this unexpected and undisclosed cost when we purchased the truck as a used vehicle from the a Hendrick dealer.
2016 GMC Canyon Power Steering failure exactly the same as the recall done on the 2015 GMC Canyon in 2021. While I am driving, for the last 5 days, my power steering and stabilitrac will shut off, and a warning sign will appear on my dash. I have researched it fully and the same exact recall was done on the 2015 model, and a lot of people have complained about this issue. It is not safe and very difficult to steer while driving, especially at slow speeds.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the infotainment system and screen display became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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
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.
Recurring Stabilitrack issues while driving. Reset system replaced fuses and issue keeps happening. Bringing for further service.
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.
Compare the 2016 GMC Canyon
Canyon vs Toyota TacomaCanyon vs Ford RangerCanyon vs Chevrolet ColoradoCanyon vs Nissan FrontierCanyon vs Honda RidgelineCanyon vs Jeep Gladiator
Other model years
200420052006200720082009201020112012201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2016 GMC Canyon
Is the 2016 GMC Canyon reliable?
Owners have filed 271 complaints about the 2016 GMC Canyon, 6.5 times a typical Canyon model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2016 GMC Canyon year score?
The 2016 GMC Canyon scores 6 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Canyon: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 GMC Canyon?
Steering, with 181 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles. Next is transmission (39).
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Canyon have?
4 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, air bags and latches/locks/linkages.
What year does the GMC Canyon have bad steering?
The GMC Canyon model years with the most steering complaints are 2015 (227 complaints) and 2016 (181 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2016 GMC Canyon get?
Official estimates for the 2016 GMC Canyon range from 16 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 4-cyl diesel, RWD) gets 22 city and 30 highway.
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