GMC Canyon harsh shifting problems

Filed Jul 23, 2025 · Transmission · MI

Formal Complaint to the federal safety agency: 2019 GMC Canyon Transmission Issue To Whom It May Concern at the federal safety agency: I am writing to formally report a recurring and dangerous transmission issue in my 2019 GMC Canyon, and to request that the federal safety agency open an investigation into why General Motors has not issued a safety recall — despite widespread complaints and technical service bulletins. My vehicle exhibits jerking, hesitation, slipping, and hard shifting — especially during acceleration or when moving from a complete stop. These symptoms are consistent with hundreds of other consumer reports across forums, the federal safety agency complaints, and class-action lawsuits tied to GM’s 8L45 8-speed automatic transmission. I was quoted approximately $5,700 for a transmission repair and $8,800 for replacement. This problem is not simply an inconvenience or comfort issue. Hesitation and sudden surges in acceleration pose a legitimate safety hazard, especially when merging onto highways, pulling into traffic, or driving on slippery roads. At times, I’ve experienced delayed throttle response and unexpected lurching — which could easily result in a rear-end collision or intersection mishap. Despite the well-documented nature of this defect, GM has not recalled these transmissions — and owners are left to bear the financial burden of expensive repairs on a known design flaw. That is unacceptable. the federal safety agency’s mandate is to protect consumers from safety-related defects. In my view, and in the experience of many other drivers, this transmission issue meets the criteria for a recall: - It affects safe operation and control of the vehicle - It has been confirmed by internal GM service documentation - It recurs even after manufacturer-prescribed remedies - It places drivers, passengers, and others at risk Please consider this a formal request to investigate this matter and hold General Motors accountable for a recall or reimbursement program for affected consumers. Joanne Holstein

Filed Mar 24, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · WA

Heat shield over drive train not installed properly. While driving since purchased I’d hear a metal reverberation / clunking sound that seemed to be under the truck. I even had it in for oil change service w/ dealer and no mention of finding anything. On Sat 3/15/2025 I took it back to dealer with the heat shield that was torn from the undercarriage over the drive train, the service person said it did not to appear to have been fastened at the factory before delivery to dealer/me. They were going to re-install it, however it was damaged; and I told them that was not acceptable to put a broken part back on the truck. I still don’t know what other damage has occurred to the vehicle due to the rubbing/clanking around while driving the 12,000 miles I have on it. They told me it was safe to drive and just come back when they get the part in. I have photos and videos; the dealer took the damaged heat shield from me and I don’t know what they did with it. Risk level to other drivers is the heat shield could have flown off truck while driving; to me inside the vehicle could have obstructed drive train and caused damage/accident, and other damage I’m still not aware of. Yes, dealer advised: Harnish GMC Puyallup, WA 253‑840‑6300 No fix yet. No warnings in vehicle or on any electronic displays. I noticed the sound right away on purchase but couldn’t identify it until it “got so bad” I went under the truck to look, and found it separated and dragging on the drive train.

Filed Jan 8, 2022 · Transmission · TX

The transmission has a rough shift from 1st to 2nd, whether it is upshifting or downshifting, and isn't always predictable. This rough shift often feels like a lurching forwards when it shifts from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 1st it feels like something hits me in the back and shoves me forward. The 1st to 2nd often makes me feel out of control of the vehicle and while it hasn't endangered anyone as of yet, I am concerned that it will push my into the car in front of me one day. The 2nd to 1st shift also causes me concern for how it may cause me a neck injury if I'm not always focused when I'm close to that shift point. The problem has not be reproduced by a dealer or independent service center, though I do plan to take it when I have the time in the near future. The problem has not been inspected by anyone. There are no warning lights, messages, or other symptom to indicate the problem will occur.

Filed Feb 16, 2021 · Suspension · 30,000 miles · AL

Transmission continually has issues with the first to second gear change, shudders at low speeds and when decelerating, and produces a loud 'clunk' noise when when reverse gear is engaged. In addition to the ' clunk', the body of the vehicle is subject to a rapid movement as the reverse gear is engaged. The vehicle has been returned to the dealership in order to resolve the issue however, I have been turned away for repairs as they claim it is a characteristic trait of the 8l90 ( 8 speed) transmission. The tsb of changing the transmission fluid to the mobil1 did temporarily mask the issue. The issue has returned and worsened and this has happened to many people. On to the suspension, my vehicle is equipped with the ' all-terrain' suspension package. My vehicle is subject to a very loud suspension ' squeak' along with a poor ride.

Filed Sep 11, 2020 · Transmission · NJ

My gmc canyon has only 35,000 miles. It started shaking, shuddering frequently, and having hard shift when changing gears, specially when speeding down. It feels similar to drive over the street lines with a similar sound. There is a strong sound coming from the transmission when fast shifting happened from high to low or when stop at the stop light. It is like the engine wants to leave from the body of the truck. This vibration is also felt when driving at low speed or low gear and the truck is demanding more power, but the transmission does not control that demand. It is like not communication between the transmission and the engine.

Filed Feb 4, 2020 · Transmission · 27,606 miles · TN

Transmission experiences torque convertor shudder. With very hard shifts at 5 and 18 MPH. Dealer complied with bulletin 18-na-355. Had improvement in shift for a while. Then hard shift return at 5 and 18 MPH. During decelerations there would be a shudder. When using cruise control when reducing speed transmission would shudder. Return to dealer, when oil pan was removed found aluminum chips and one metal chip. Dealer replace with remanufactured transmission. Drove vehicle home. Then went out and drove the vehicle upon exiting drive way experience torque convertor slippage at around 12 MPH with engine RPM going from 2000 to 4000. Continued to drive vehicle once torque convertor reengaged. Continued driving made couple of short trips in traffic continue to experience banging in drive train. I believe this vehicle puts my safety at risk

Filed Sep 10, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 184 miles · TX

On cold startup there is a loud clunk coming from front of vehicle and the vibration can be felt from inside the truck as if something hit the floor underneath.

Filed Sep 7, 2018 · Transmission · 1,000 miles · KY

Transmission clunks feels like your hit in the rear end. I thought I was rear ended 3 times so far. My transmission surges forward from 4th to 5th gear. Very dangerous to wear I don't want to drive the truck.

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 Oct 1, 2016 · Fuel system, Transmission · 50 miles · KY

I bought a brand new 2016 canyon, test drive went well, although I admit it probably wasn't long enough. Purchased on sunday, and during the next week driving I began noticing the transmission was not shifting at the proper times. Like most people on here, the transmission appears to be very confused , especially when decelerating into the 20-35 mpg range and attempting to re-accelerate back up. It will misfire or be very unresponsive, and then clunk and jerk you forward once it decides to change gears. It also does something that I think is even more dangerous when you are going around 30-40 mpg and then simply let off the accelerator. In this instance, I feel like it down shifts instantly and it feels like the truck is being pulled back (instead of simply coasting like I would want), and then at some point it "releases" from this and the truck actually stops decelerating and speeds up a bit, even though the gas had been released many seconds ago. This is particularly dangerous in stop and go city traffic. I think the overarching problem here is the shift points that the ECM has determined (or been programmed with). You can tell this when accelerating from a stop, my truck gets to third gear by 15 miles per hour and never goes above 2k RPM's??? I admit I am a bit light-footed on driving, which compounds the problem because I eventually am giving a small amount of acceleration to a truck in 4th gear only going 20 MPH, which suck. I have also read this was a common problem on 15 canyon (obviously read after purchase), and gmc eventually came out with a few fixes, including ECM patch updates or lower valve replacement. I imagine that many of the 2016's were already off the line by the time these '15 fixes came out (in april 15 I believe), but the dealerships have not received any of these for the 2016.