2016 GMC Canyon: hesitation when accelerating

8 of the 271 complaints about the 2016 GMC Canyon describe hesitation when accelerating.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 6,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 105 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Hesitation when accelerating by model year

2026
1
2020
1
2019
2
2017
1
2016
8
2015
10
2007
1

What owners say

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Steering · 141,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc canyon. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to pull towards the left or right while attempting to drive straight. When the contact attempted to turn the vehicle at low speeds, the vehicle hesitated to turn and attempted to steer straight ahead. Robert woodall chevrolet buick gmc cadillac (located at 1063 riverside dr, danville, va 24540, 434‑797‑1411) was contacted, but could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was currently occurring while driving various speeds. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

Filed Aug 11, 2018 · Transmission · 1,500 miles · CO

Sag and hesitation while shifting,seems to get stuck or not sure what gear to be in.while making a turn truck hesitates no acceleration at 20mph.serious safety concern about getting rear ended

Filed Dec 6, 2017 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · FL

Slow and go driving 20-40mph after coasting and trying to accelerate again the transmission bucks hesitates trying to find a lower gear. It can't decide which gear to go into and just sputters and chugs until I push the accelerator 1/2 way down or more the finds its gear and rockets off. This type of driving not safe at all. This happens all the time since practically new. Gm claims its normal. Bulletins to not fix anything except update the software. That doesn't accomplish anything. This is a known gm issue with colorados and canyons and gm changed transmissions following years and no support for 2015-16

Filed Jun 16, 2017 · Transmission · 9,200 miles · CO

Transmission seems to be confused. It will hesitate during acceleration and shift up and down while coasting. Most sluggish shifting occurs during lower speeds. It also has a habit of downshift to low gear while coasting downhill. Always seems to be fighting with itself!

Filed Mar 2, 2017 · Engine · 13,000 miles · FL

I purchased a 2016 gmc canyon in july 2016. I noticed hesitation when I accelerate, especially when in traffic, going uphill or rounding corner. I researched many forums and found the transmission has a learning period where it does this and adapts to your driving, normally within the first 1000 miles. However, it has been 13,000 miles later and almost a year, and it continues to have this hesitation as bad if not worse than it did initially. Gmc has checked it out, gave it a test drive and said it shows no codes so they offer no help. All of my passengers notice this hesitation when it happens. The best way to describe this hesitation is when you push the gas, the truck acts like it doesn't want to go and it becomes shakey. In situations where I'm merging onto traffic, this could be dangerous, as I have had to floor it to make it accelerate. For a new vehicle, this is unacceptable and I felt safer in my 2001 sierra than I do in this. The fact that gmc will not offer any way to fix this adds to the frustration. No matter what they say, it is not normal for a vehicle to do this.

Filed Feb 25, 2017 · Transmission · 1,000 miles · UT

The transmission does not shift properly, when you slow down from approx 40 to 20 then step on the gas the truck has a long hesitation. It is very unsafe and is going to cause an accident. The truck wants to stall out unless you floor it.

Filed Oct 6, 2016 · Transmission · 2 miles · NH

Transmission hesitates dramatically between some shifts..long periods where transmission seems to be in neutral. Typically happens in lower gears, such as between 2 and 3 gears. Pressing accelerator them causes a clunk into gear. Also, on higher speeds, downshifts are slow to occur but then several gears seem to be skipped when the downshift finally occurs, with screaming engine rpms. This is a 4 cylinder model with 6 speed automatic trans.

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Fuel system · 6,000 miles · AL

Truck seems to be missing when cruising, then hesitation when accelerating. Seems to be not getting enough fuel frequently when just accelerating. Dealer says they can't find anything wrong. Told them the problem is 90% reduced when using premium fuel. Still no idea.