While driving my 2021 GMC Canyon (current mileage: 78,465), the engine-driven brake booster vacuum pump drive gear housing catastrophically shattered without warning. This structural component explosion caused an immediate, sudden loss of power braking assist while the vehicle was in motion, creating a severe and dangerous safety hazard on the road. Upon a professional diagnostic tear-down, it was confirmed that the self-destruction of the vacuum pump violently introduced heavy metallic shrapnel throughout the cylinder head and engine oiling system. The entire engine block is now heavily contaminated with metal debris, requiring a complete engine replacement estimated at $14,000. This is a severe, premature failure of a critical safety component driven directly by the engine's camshaft. General Motors is facing ongoing class-action litigation regarding these exact mechanical vacuum pump explosions, which pose a dual threat of total power brake failure and complete engine destruction. I am logging this complaint to urge the federal safety agency to investigate this systemic material defect before it causes a fatal accident due to sudden brake loss.
GMC Canyon loss of power problems
128 of the 1,446 owner complaints about the GMC Canyon describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 128
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,900
- typical mileage
- 65,978
By model year
Often reported together
Power steering loss 100Stalling 7Check engine light 6Fuel pump 4ABS 4Engine failure 3Misfire 2Jerking 2
Trouble codes mentioned
C0545 5U0420 1P0657 1P0615 1
What owners say
lost power steering
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.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist. The messages "Service Power Steering System" and "Service Traction Control System" were displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V054000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Loss of power steering. This is a known problem with the 2015 GMC Canyon models. My 2016 GMC Canyon has the same problem. This is a serious issue. A recall should be issued. It has happened to me several times.
I own a 2015 GMC Canyon that developed repeated and serious fuel-system and engine problems beginning around 56,000 miles. The vehicle experienced fuel contamination (water in the fuel system), multiple fuel injectors failing and sticking open, repeated misfires across several cylinders, and engine stalling/shutdown while driving. The truck was towed multiple times and repaired repeatedly by an authorized GMC dealership. Repairs included injector replacements, fuel pipe replacement, fuel-system cleaning, and related work. Technician notes show that broader repairs were recommended but not fully authorized, and the same problems continued to return. Despite the dealership later stating the vehicle was repaired, there is no written safety certification, no documented fuel-system integrity testing, and no GM engineering clearance confirming the vehicle is safe to operate. Because of the repeated failures and risk of fire or loss of power, I do not feel the vehicle is safe to drive. I personally paid over $6,000 out of pocket for fuel contamination repairs and spark plug replacement (not including towing), after warranty coverage denied some repairs as “water damage.” The vehicle has been unsafe or inoperable for extended periods. I am reporting this because repeated fuel-system failures and engine shutdown present a serious safety risk and may affect other vehicles of the same model.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that upon attempting to leave the driveway, the vehicle was shifted into drive and the engine experienced a complete loss of automotive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle lost power steering functionality while driving at 65 MPH, and the traction control and vehicle stabilization warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the 4-WD assembly, steering electronic motor, steering angle sensor, and the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,263.
The first occurrence (post recall 21V213000 completion 8/24/2021), was Sunday 9/21/2025 . I was just accelerating after a stop sign turning left and I lost power steering and stabilitrak. Yes it is available for inspection if requested. I was at risk of being in an accident. No it has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service. No it has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance reps or others. No there were no warning lights, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. They first appeared as the failure was occurring. The second occurrence occurred on Sunday 10/5/2025. I was on a straight away part of the road when the power steering, stabilitrak failure occurred again just before I was slowing down to turn right into a parking lot. Yes it is available for inspection if requested. I was at risk of being in an accident. No it has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service. No it has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance reps or others. No there were no warning lights, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. They first appeared as the failure was occurring.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that the headlights failed to activate automatically. Additionally, one of the phone charger ports had become inoperable. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A message advising that the power steering was inoperable and to drive carefully was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH after the power steering failure, the vehicle was pulling to the right. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Propulsion of vehicle. Truck lost power as I was trying to pull into traffic at an intersection. Yes, it was confirmed by the dealer; truck was returned after 3 incidents. GM has been inspected the truck. Yes: check engine light immediately came on, and a comment then stated onscreen: "caution. Your vehicle has lost power and is operating at a reduced capacity". First occasion, truck was approx 6 months old. Second was 1 month later. Third and dangerous incident occurred June 11th 2025. Dealer keeps saying the truck is OK. Failure to propel keeps happening. Service supervisor tells me truck needs a new module, but GM won't approve it. Truck is still at the dealer, and issue has been escalated twice. Truck still at dealer.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the GMC Canyon loss of power
Which GMC Canyon years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (55 complaints), 2016 (53 complaints) and 2018 (4 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the GMC Canyon?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,900 (median of 16 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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