Intermediate steering column defect causing a pronounced dashboard rattle. The dealer (Putnam GMC, Burlingame, CA) diagnosed the issue under warranty, but the required part is on national backorder with no ship date. The vehicle has been out of service at the dealership since September 2, 2026 awaiting the part. This is a steering-related defect on a brand-new vehicle with approximately 1,500 miles.
The worst 2026 GMC Canyon problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission3
- Driver assistance2
- Steering2
- Brakes1
- Wheels1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission3
- Driver assistance2
- Steering2
- Brakes1
- Wheels1
Recalls 2
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- What is wrong
- General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
- Risk
- Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑866‑467‑9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on February 26, 2026.
Recall number 26V114000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024–2026 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV vehicles. Incorrect sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software may cause a second stage passenger air bag deployment when only a first stage is intended. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the SDM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N252533510. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on December 11, 2025.
Recall number 25V856000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2026 GMC Canyon
Defect investigations
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
On April 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24011 after receiving complaints concerning a loss of brake assist in 2023 MY Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. These complaints allege a hard brake pedal, followed by a “Brake System Failure” message at start up or while driving. GM shared records regarding several internal investigations for loss of brake assist due to alleged spindle fractures in the eBoost system. GM has stated that in the event of a spindle fracture, anti-lock brakes (ABS), stability control, and traction control remain functional until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. At this point, ABS, brake assist, stability control, and traction control functions are lost. The loss of these functions causes the vehicle to set one of three Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) based on failed performance criteria for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). These DTCs, in turn, activate several driver alerts: an audible chime, a visual “Service Brake System” message in the display, and multiple illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lights (MILs) for the ABS, Traction Control, and Brakes informing the driver of loss of functionality. The vehicle speed will also be limited to 70 KPH (43 MPH). Since opening PE24011, ODI has continued to receive reports of loss of brake assist. Some of these reports describe symptoms inconsistent with GM’s description of a spindle failure. These reports allege an immediate loss of brake assist functionality as opposed to the loss occurring after the vehicle comes to a complete stop. The sudden loss of brake assist during a braking event could result in extended braking distance, which increases the risk of a crash or injury. ODI believes further analysis is necessary to assess the potential for failures in GM’s eBoost system to resulting in safety-related outcomes. At this time, ODI is aware of the following vehicles that are equipped with this eBoost system: 2023-2026 MY Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon; 2024-2026 MY Buick Enclave, Envision; Chevrolet Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Traverse; Cruise Origin; and GMC Acadia; 2025-2026 MY Cadillac Celestiq and Optiq. ODI is also aware of 2024-2026 MY Acura ZDX and 2024-2026 MY Honda Prologue vehicles that were built with this system. The Acura and Honda vehicles were manufactured by GM in a joint venture with Honda, and will be included in the Engineering Analysis as peer vehicles. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysis to further assess the safety-related consequences of a failed eBoost system. In addition, ODI is expanding the scope of the investigation to encompass all GM vehicles that share this eBoost system. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
EA26006
Technical service bulletins for the 2026 GMC Canyon 134
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Unknown or other
- • Smoother rear camera startup when shifting into Reverse after wake-up • Surround-view camera images...
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- This document assists GM dealer technicians with diagnosing torque converter concerns to ensure torque...
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a...
- Unknown or other
2026 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 4‑cyl | RWD | 19 | 23 | 20 |
| 2.7L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 16-17 | 16-22 | 16-19 |
What 2026 GMC Canyon owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I’ve included all my repair orders regarding to coolant smell/leak and transmission shutter. I purchased my truck on XXX. We had planned a family vacation to [XXX], and we were driving up when I felt the transmission shutter at around 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. while cruising at approximately 55 to 62 mph. Since then, I’ve noticed it happening more frequently. I took the truck to GMC dealer Jack Hanaia at [XXX] (I believe it was in XXX). I expressed my concerns, and they couldn’t find any issues with the transmission, along with the coolant leak. They claimed they couldn’t find a leak, but the service advisor could smell a strong coolant leak. Later on March 5th the coolant leaked, and I got a different advisor. She could smell the leak but the tech couldn’t replicate the issue. A few months later, around August, I took the truck to a different dealership, the Buick GMC dealership at [XXX]. I informed them that I had a coolant leak smell, a transmission shutter, and other issues listed on the repair order They couldn’t find the transmission problem or the coolant leak, but the advisor could also smell the coolant leak. I’m getting tired of going to the dealership and getting a turnaround to go home with the same issue. I have issue with parking sensor blocked all the time. My AC issue is becoming more problem for me, the temp doesn’t match the reading with a thermometer, it’s way off to the point where I have to turn it to LoW to get max cold. When set at 65, it feels like 75 degree. I have videos. My last 2009 GMC Canyon 3.7 crew cab treated me and my family well for 13 years. I bought it in 2013 and sold it in XXX. I thought to choose GMC Canyon over Toyota Tacoma, but now that I’ve been experiencing this issue nonstop, I’m regretting the decision to pay the truck in full cash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger’s side rear brakes were making an abnormal crunching sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
GM pushed a system update to my truck last week. I noticed the front bumper sensors are no longer working. In addition, the auto start-stop function no longer works.
I was pushing the accelerator, and the transmission hesitated at about 45 mph. For about 2-3 seconds, the vehicle would not upshift. The RPMs revved, and finally the vehicle slam-shifted into gear. The vehicle drove normally for the rest of the drive cycle.
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions and exceeding 35 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown steering wheel part was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was taken back to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and exceeding 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered on bumpy roads. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired as of yet because the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 600.
With 94 Miles my brand new GMC Canyon AT4 I leased had a catastrophic failure while i was driving it, the front axle essentially exploded. The findings were that their was no oil/lubricant installed in it from the factory which made this happen. I now have to wait many months for the dealership to repair my vehicle while i have a "loaner" with a bunch of restrictions on it. And i have to pay my lease the entire time it is being worked on because of a factory fault. If i had been going more than 25 mph this would have resulted in a crash/injury.
when apply GM update V661.10. tire pressure sensors are wipe out. resulting in 4 flat tire being indicated on the display. GM has no answers for this. this is a safety system that should not be disabled
Compare the 2026 GMC Canyon
Canyon vs Toyota TacomaCanyon vs Ford RangerCanyon vs Chevrolet ColoradoCanyon vs Nissan FrontierCanyon vs Honda RidgelineCanyon vs Jeep Gladiator
Other model years
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Questions about the 2026 GMC Canyon
Is the 2026 GMC Canyon reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2026 GMC Canyon, fewer than a typical Canyon model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2026 GMC Canyon?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints. Next is driver assistance (2).
How many recalls does the 2026 GMC Canyon have?
2 recalls, covering equipment and air bags.
What year does the GMC Canyon have bad transmission?
The GMC Canyon model years with the most transmission complaints are 2016 (39 complaints), 2015 (38 complaints) and 2018 (27 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2026 GMC Canyon get?
Official estimates for the 2026 GMC Canyon range from 16 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.7L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 19 city and 23 highway.
VIN decoder
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