2016 GMC Canyon engine problems

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · LA

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.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · 70,263 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that upon attempting to leave the driveway, the vehicle was shifted into drive and the engine experienced a complete loss of automotive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving at 65 MPH, and the traction control and vehicle stabilization warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the 4-WD assembly, steering electronic motor, steering angle sensor, and the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,263.

Filed Aug 28, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · TX

EPS becomes difficult to steer occasionally, Brakes seem to lose stopping ability Leaking oil @ either oil pan or transmission

Filed Jul 29, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA · fire

On [XXX] at approximately 5:30p, I was driving normal highway speed when I saw what I thought was exhaust trailing behind. There were NO dash warning lights, engine temperature showing normal range, car was performing normally. I pulled over to shoulder, turned off car, released the hood latch. My husband tried to open hood but it was too hot. We then realized it was smoke coming from under hood, not exhaust. Smoke began to come inside car through vents. I quickly exited the car, and within a minute the entire front end engine area was engulfed in flames. 911 was called, fire, police, highway patrol responded. Fortunately there was no injury to myself or husband. There was also concern of starting a brushfire risk here in SoCal, but it was all extinguished thoroughly. Truck was towed to Al’s Towing, 475 W Vermont Ave, Escondido CA 92025, ph 760‑745‑5933. A report has been filed with our insurance USAA, inspection by adjuster is pending. I also notified Temecula GMC, where I purchased vehicle from, of the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 4, 2024 · Engine · NC

At approximately 92k miles the diesel High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) failed, all internal seals were disintegrated (technician's verbage). This is apparently a common problem (but no recall was ever issued), which can lead to premature engine failure due to sending foreign material into the engine. This pump was replaced, however the new pump failed, after 2 days, and required replacement again, May 2023. The total cost for this was $6200. At 100,450 miles my engine blew up while driving, 01 Feb 2024. There is a very good chance that when the HPFP pump had failed, 10 months earlier, it in fact send foreign material into the engines cylinders which might have led up to this catastrophic failure. Fortunately, I was on a rural street travelling at about 20 miles an hour, and not on the highway travelling at 70 miles an hour, like I was 10 minutes before this happened. When the engine blew it sent pieces of cast iron flying out the bottom of the truck, on a highway this could have seriously damaged vehicles travelling behind me. When it blew I also lost all 'propulsion', the truck immediately began coasting to a stop, had this happened at high speeds it would have been extremely dangerous because without the engine running the brakes lose pressure, plus the oil leaking out could have caused a loss of traction. From what I have found, while researching online, these 2.8l diesel engines have a fairly high failure rate (often being referred to as "a bomb just waiting to explode"), especially the HPFP, which might be part of the reason the General Motors discontinued using this engine in 2022. I feel that a recall should be done on all current 2.8l Duramax engines to do a complete inspection and replace all suspect components, as well as to reimburse those of us who were placed in harms way when our engines blew up on the road, due to GM's neglect.

Filed May 28, 2022 · Engine · FL

1 inch section of magnetic strip GLUED to outer rim of reluctor rim broke off. For an item that sees such a high rate of speed, gluing anything to the outside is piss poor engineering.

Filed Nov 26, 2021 · Engine · MO

Alert for emissions control malfunction.

Filed Jun 16, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

Have had truck in shop several times, currently in the shop and has been there for almost 3 weeks nobody seems to know what the problem is. Vehicle losses power and goes into a limp mode. Temperature gauge keeps failing, exhaust break does not work, ac cuts out often and does not work often, keeps trying to clean exhaust filter over and over again and again.

Filed Apr 13, 2021 · Engine, Steering · CA

Gm case #[xxx]; gm recall bulletin: 15595a the federal safety agency campaign id for recall: 16v054 gm issued a recall bulletin related to a defect in certain 2015 gmc canyon trucks due to loss of power steering due to a poor electrical connection within the torque sensor harness connector. This presents a greater risk of a crash and a safety concern. My name is [xxx] and I own a 2016 gmc canyon VIN #[xxx]. My stability track indicator came on and my power steering stopped working. I took my vehicle into a gm dealer and was charged $180 to diagnose the problem. I was told due to low voltage the recommendation was a new battery. The battery was replaced costing me an additional $140. The next day, the stability track indicator came on and my power steering stopped working again. I took it into the gm dealer again and was told this time there was an issue with my torque sensor which is the same issue in the recall bulletin #15595a for the 2015 trucks related to power steering. Concerned and frustrated, I called gm and was issued with the aforementioned case #. I was told someone would call me, which no one did. The dealer then informed me that gm would cover 80% of the cost still leaving me with a bill of $734! I wrote this compliant to gmc for several reasons and including the federal safety agency due to the safety issue. This is obviously the same issue being experienced in the 2016 trucks not just the 2015 trucks. I am bringing attention to this issue as this issue may constitute a recall needed for the 2016 which hasn't been done. This is not only concerning as the issue presents risk of a crash, a safety concern and owners like me having to incur out of pocket expenses. I am requesting an investigation into my issue and for gmc consideration of reimbursement of $734 in addition to $320 out of pocket expenses. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 13, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · 101,800 miles · CA

My wife and I were traveling at approximately 55 miles an hour when all dash lights nav system gauges etc. Turned off. It was as if I turn the ignition off. Then it turned itself back on and seem to function normally. The vehicle had a similar problem previous to this and there was a recall performed on it recently. Also this vehicle is supposed to get close to 30 mpg and now the best I can get is 21 mpg. It has had a rough idle and shut down on me several timesduring the last few years. I feel like this vehicle is unsafe and gmc should be held accountable. I bought this vehicle because I wanted good fuel economy from a diesel and that is not the case. This vehicle has had a number of major issues and numerous recalls but none have addressed the vehicle shutdown. I have read multiple accounts of owners nearly getting killed when their vehicle randomly shuts off while driving. The vehicle seems unsafe and I feel they misrepresented the fuel economy of the diesel engine.