2016 GMC Canyon: steering wheel locks up

7 of the 271 complaints about the 2016 GMC Canyon describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 69,400
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 27 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

2019
1
2017
1
2016
7
2015
10

What owners say

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Steering · 102,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Nov 21, 2024 · Steering · 302,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the steering wheel was jerking with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 302,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2024 · Steering · TX

I was driving 70 MPH on the highway when I received a warning on my dash that stated "service power steering, drive with care" and a second warning that stated "service stabilitrak". I immediately felt the steering wheel lock up and lost all power steering. My safety as well as others was put in risk as I was unable to maneuver the vehicle especially at the high rate of speed. Prior to this incident there had been no warning or other issues that could have signaled a failure. The problem was duplicated at the dealership and a code was given.

Filed Oct 6, 2020 · Steering · 46,000 miles · TX

Driving down the road and my steering wheel locked up with a notification popping up saying power steering drive with care. I couldn't turn the steering wheel at all. I had to put my truck in park in the middle of the road and turn it off and turn it back on in order for the message to clear and my steering to work again. Luckily I was close to the house and didn't have to drive much further. I'm worried it will happen again which is scary because I have a one year old and another newborn coming in the next few months.

Filed Sep 19, 2020 · Steering · 69,400 miles · TX

Driving 65 miles an hours and steering wheel locked, several times, I could of had an accident on the express way, it happened again while I try to take it to the dealer today 09/19/2020. I also have pics of the warning it provided me, 'stabilitrak' and 'power steering drive with care' truck was in motion when this occurred.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Steering · 44,927 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc canyon. While driving between 35 and 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized. While the vehicle was stationary at a stop sign, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,927.

Filed Aug 14, 2019 · 34,500 miles · FL

All my dash lights keep coming on and alarms going off. The poer steering, ABS, check engine, stability track, parking brake, brake, etc. If I pulled over and turned the vehicle off to get this to stop nothing works when I crank it up. I have no power steering. If I crank it a couple times everything goes to working. Then a few miles it all starts again. This has been going on since april. I have put it in shop in april, the dealer couldn't get it to duplicate, in may, same thing, in june they finally got it to duplicate and changed a module. I drove it 772 miles it started again. I carried it back in july they said gmc said it was a steering gear. I got it back at 336 miles it started again aug. 2nd, it did it again at 798, then 813 miles on 8/9. I carried it back they supposedly found a rubbed spot in a wiring harness and fixed that stating they believe it is fixed. I contacted gmc in july trying to get them to take this truck back, they said they couldn't do that but extended the mfg warranty out to 100000 miles. I bought the truck used with 16000 miles on it still under mfg warranty, all the problems started at a little over 34500 miles. I fear for my safety as well as other due to steering wheel locking up. I mentioned this to gmc as well. Is there anything I can do to get gmc to take this vehicle back? I can get paperwork from dealer if needed. Is there anything you can do with this? I had a case # with gmc when the gave extended mfg warranty [xxx]. I talked with a representative name martin phone # 866‑790‑5700. Ext. 5915657. I left him a message on 8/12, he is yet to return my call. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).