The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering gear had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
GMC Canyon steering lock-up problems
19 of the 1,445 owner complaints about the GMC Canyon describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 19
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 56,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 9Power steering loss 2Steering noise 1Loss of power 1Jerking 1Fire or smoke 1Check engine light 1No deployment 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked up. The contact used force to steer the vehicle. The message "Check Power Steering" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the dealer refused to diagnose the vehicle unless the contact paid for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure persisted and became progressively worse. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V213000 (STEERING); but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
The contact's grandmother owned a 2015 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that her grandfather was driving approximately 60 MPH on the freeway while her grandmother was occupying the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that while the driver was attempting to switch to the right lane, the steering wheel locked up and the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The driver was unable to pull to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. The contact stated that another van driving 80 MPH crashed into the vehicle, and the van caught on fire; however, the vehicle of the contact's grandparents did not catch on fire. The vehicle was then rear-ended by three other vehicles, causing the bed of the vehicle to be smooshed into the cab, and the driver's side of the vehicle was smooshed into the center divider wall. The center divider wall might have been damaged. The driver sustained whiplash and was thrown across his wife's lap. The emergency services assisted the driver out of the vehicle and put the driver on a stretcher. The contact's grandmother was assisted out of the vehicle. The contact stated that only the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed. The driver was transported to the hospital by emergency services. The contact stated that the driver sustained a crushed spine and severed lower nerves, causing the lower body paralysis. Additionally, the driver sustained broken ribs, 15-20 staples across his head, ruptured lungs, which caused a loss of 7 pints of blood. The driver received a transfusion of 5 pints of blood. The driver's wife sustained a bruised right cheekbone, soreness on the face, the hand, the thumb, and the body. Both passengers were currently receiving medical assistance. It was unknown whether the other drivers sustained injuries. A police report was filed, and the police confirmed that four vehicles had crashed into the vehicle. The police report information was not available. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer
Nov 14 2024 my truck steering locked up and lost lighting/ front lights including interior and crash into another vehicle head on going 65 mph. Also no airbag deployed. I hit my chest hard. Need help. Water damaged now after I crashed and now won’t start. Smoke wire smells so disconnected battery. I feel unsafe taking this vehicle in repair without any recalls. This happen all at one time, still paying the loan on the vehicle. Paid almost 29,000. Been in no fault account. Help. Need help reporting issues to insurance to fix the crashed truck or total loss this model. Was scary
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.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and making a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact continued to drive, and the steering wheel seized again. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 65,200.
I was driving 70 MPH on the highway when I received a warning on my dash that stated "service power steering, drive with care" and a second warning that stated "service stabilitrak". I immediately felt the steering wheel lock up and lost all power steering. My safety as well as others was put in risk as I was unable to maneuver the vehicle especially at the high rate of speed. Prior to this incident there had been no warning or other issues that could have signaled a failure. The problem was duplicated at the dealership and a code was given.
2015 GMC canyon power steering wheel locks up on several occasions while driving and can no longer steer properly on the road and freeway, major safety concern almost caused accident several times There has been a past recall for this same issue on model of trucks 2015 GMC Canyons Reference recall ID N202325410 Just a concern might have been part of the issue and was missed on recall
Driving down the road and my steering wheel locked up with a notification popping up saying power steering drive with care. I couldn't turn the steering wheel at all. I had to put my truck in park in the middle of the road and turn it off and turn it back on in order for the message to clear and my steering to work again. Luckily I was close to the house and didn't have to drive much further. I'm worried it will happen again which is scary because I have a one year old and another newborn coming in the next few months.
Driving 65 miles an hours and steering wheel locked, several times, I could of had an accident on the express way, it happened again while I try to take it to the dealer today 09/19/2020. I also have pics of the warning it provided me, 'stabilitrak' and 'power steering drive with care' truck was in motion when this occurred.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The power steering assist may be lost due to a poor electrical connection within the steering gear assembly.
- Risk
- A loss of power steering, particularly at lower speeds increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N202325410.
Recall number 21V213000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 17, 2015, and 2015 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 19, 2015. A poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of power steering assist.
- Risk
- A loss or reduction in power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 15595.
Recall number 16V054000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Canyon steering lock-up
Which GMC Canyon years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (10 complaints), 2016 (7 complaints) and 2017 (1 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used GMC Canyon?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history