Was driving my truck and would randomly lose power steering while driving. When the power steering cut out it would jerk the steering wheel to the left a little bit and if I pulled over and turned the key off and turned it back on, it would reset and start working until it happened again, which could be five minutes later or 20 minutes later. It would cut out at any given time. I am the second owner of this vehicle and once this problem started happening I looked into it and found out that there was a recall on this, and the recall had been satisfied in 2021 but the problem obviously was not fixed. Tried calling several dealerships with no luck and was forced to get it fixed at my regular shop at a cost of $3023.07. I have receipts for the repair. This is clearly an issue that was never resolved.
GMC Canyon jerking problems
28 of the 1,443 owner complaints about the GMC Canyon describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 28
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 15,000
By model year
Often reported together
Hesitation 4Stalling 3Harsh shifting 3Shudder 2Power steering loss 2Loss of power 2Check engine light 2Warning lights 1
What owners say
Transmission shifting issues. The transmission will shift very slowly (engine revs high and vehicle lurches) when driving the truck each morning. I reported the issue to the dealership within 0ne month of purchasing the truck in 2019 and again in 2024. The dealership stated there is nothing wrong with the transmission. The transmission is now starting to slip at low/moderate speeds when accelerating. The vehicle has less than 50,000 miles.
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
We were traveling not once, but twice at a high rate of speed (75/80mph the legal limit) the vehicle gave one message: Service power steering next message: reduced acceleration. The check engine light turned on, the truck itself jerked and we almost lost control of the vehicle (both times) on the highway. We were thankfully able to pull over and pull to a complete stop. The vehicle was still on, it still ran but I saw an autozone close by both times and received a code for the check engine light. The dashboard both times lit up like a Christmas tree on both occasions before spazzing out. We have taken the truck twice to a nearby dealership and they were able to service and “fix” the problem however they said that the first time, and here we are a second time. The dealerships we took the truck to are aware of all the codes (2 pages worth the first time) but we never received paperwork on what was fixed. The second time we are now going to pick up and hopefully receive paperwork on what was completed. My spouse was driving and myself and my daughter were in the vehicle when the jerking happened with the steering wheel. The vehicle is not safe how can I we be driving at the legal limit and lose control of our vehicle. We were right next to an 18 wheeler with a trailer and multiple vehicles on the road each time. The GMC dealerships are aware they have been working to fix the problem however again this is the second time it happened. The messages occurred both times. Service power steering and reduced acceleration check engine light and also no traction control. The first time it happened was [XXX] going to Killeen Texas and the second was [XXX] going to Albuquerque. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle lurches forward extremely strong when almost stopped, shifting from 2nd to 1st. Common issue with all of these trucks with the 8L80 transmission. Also - this transmission slams into 2nd from 1st when first starting out under light acelleration or drifting down hill.
The transmission is sluggish and jerky resulting in unpredictable and inconsistent speed control. The vehicle is available for inspection, if requested. The inconsistent speed control is a potential hazard during acceleration and deceleration. The issue is known to the manufacturer. No warning lamps or messages have been observed. The symptoms began to appear soon after the vehicle was purchased on 12/28/2024.
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.
“Engine power reduced” service message “Stabilitrack” service message “4x4” service message Vehicle is available for inspection Vehicle jerks and loses power while driving at highway speeds causing 18-wheelers and other drivers to swerve around me, vehicle accelerates very slowly while in city traffic. Intersections and traffic lights are difficult to navigate due to reduced engine power endangering myself and family, also other drivers. Vehicle erases all stored messages after a certain period of non-use. Dealer service center hasn’t reproduced symptoms. Service center technicians say nothing is wrong and releases the vehicle back to me. I have invoices of the vehicle taken in 3 times. Vehicle is currently in the service center as of 10 June 2023, for the same problems indicated above. Problem is unpredictable and occurs at random. Vehicle hasn’t been inspected by manufacturer, police or insurance representatives. Warning lamps, messages and symptoms started prior to September 23, 2022 can’t remember actual date. I have the first invoice vehicle was taken in to be serviced.
Truck jerks and makes loud noises when going up incline when transmission is shifting and constantly shifting even at low speed.
I was driving down the road when all of a sudden I received a warning “power steering” drive with care and something called “stabilitrack” my power steering had shut off. I was driving down a highway going about 65 around Walker lake no with turns. Coming around one of the turns the power steering kicked back on and I almost jerked off the road. The trucks power steering continues to go in and out making is extremely scary to drive. I have parked it since
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 or 3.7 liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles may have been built with an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position. If the shift cable is not in the correct position, the prndl shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. The driver could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park."
- Risk
- The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 11V337000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Canyon jerking
Which GMC Canyon years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (7 complaints), 2016 (6 complaints) and 2018 (4 complaints).
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