Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 GMC Canyon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On [redacted] at approximately 5:30p, I was driving normal highway speed when I saw what I thought was exhaust trailing behind. There were NO dash warning lights, engine temperature showing normal range, car was performing normally. I pulled over to shoulder, turned off car, released the hood latch. My husband tried to open hood but it was too hot. We then realized it was smoke coming from under hood, not exhaust. Smoke began to come inside car through vents. I quickly exited the car, and within a minute the entire front end engine area was engulfed in flames. 911 was called, fire, police, highway patrol responded. Fortunately there was no injury to myself or husband. There was also concern of starting a brushfire risk here in SoCal, but it was all extinguished thoroughly. Truck was towed to Al's Towing, 475 W Vermont Ave, Escondido CA 92025, ph [phone]. …
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.
Have had truck in shop several times, currently in the shop and has been there for almost 3 weeks nobody seems to know what the problem is. Vehicle losses power and goes into a limp mode. Temperature gauge keeps failing, exhaust break does not work, ac cuts out often and does not work often, keeps trying to clean exhaust filter over and over again and again.
At approximately 92k miles the diesel High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) failed, all internal seals were disintegrated (technician's verbage). This is apparently a common problem (but no recall was ever issued), which can lead to premature engine failure due to sending foreign material into the engine. This pump was replaced, however the new pump failed, after 2 days, and required replacement again, May 2023. The total cost for this was $6200. At 100,450 miles my engine blew up while driving, 01 Feb 2024. There is a very good chance that when the HPFP pump had failed, 10 months earlier, it in fact send foreign material into the engines cylinders which might have led up to this catastrophic failure. Fortunately, I was on a rural street travelling at about 20 miles an hour, and not on the highway travelling at 70 miles an hour, like I was 10 minutes before this happened. …
Issue #1: While driving on the highway, the screens flickered once in a while. While stopping at a gas station, the vehicle did not turn on. Everything was black as if there was no power. After a several minutes of trying, it came back. Apparently it was an electrical issue. Took it to the dealership shop, but they couldn't find anything wrong with it. A couple of month after, my son was driving and when he turned right, the vehicle shut off. Same issue, the vehicle went black but after a few minutes, he was able to turn it back on. Third time, my other son was driving. Arrived at his destination and when he was about to leave, the vehicle did not turn on. It was completely dead. The battery was good but all the electrical systems were dead. I had to tow the vehicle to the dealership. They changed the fuse box and that fixed the issue. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. While driving 55 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated without warning. In addition, the brakes engaged without warning and without the assistance of the driver. The vehicle decreased to speeds of 20-30 MPH. The contact could not accelerate beyond 30 MPH. In addition, oil leaked onto the exhaust manifold and created a burning odor. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
Vehicle ignition key can not be removed and it does not stay in park. Vehicle can crash causing injuries and property damage vehicle has about 35000K miles under warrenty and GMC refuses to do any thing about it.
I purchased a GM 2016 Canyon in October, 2016 and had driven it nearly six months when the event decribed here occurred. Up until April 16, 2017, I had had no problems with the truck. However, on easter Sunday afternoon, while attempting to slow my Canyon down and preparing to stop at a stop light, the engine seemed to go forward of it's own volition and the truck did not respond to my efforts to bring it to a complete stop. Consequently, my vehicle struck the vehicle immediately in front of it. A subsequent internet search revealed that a technical safety bulletin issued by GM in September of 2016 described this event as having occurred to 2016 Canyon diesel engines. …
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that on 10/14/2019, while braking to make a right turn into the GMC dealership (brown & brown at1550 e drivers way, gilbert, az 85297, [phone]) for routine maintenance, the vehicle lost power and the power steering was disabled making steering very difficult. This occurred again before arriving at the service entrance. The contact stated that multiple warning lights were illuminated both times. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact was informed that a software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the initial failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,216. See invoice attachment. He second failure occurred on 9/16/2020 while the driver was slowing down to make a right turn. …
I purchased a 2016 GMC Canyon in July 2016. I noticed hesitation when I accelerate, especially when in traffic, going uphill or rounding corner. I researched many forums and found the transmission has a learning period where it does this and adapts to your driving, normally within the first 1000 miles. However, it has been 13,000 miles later and almost a year, and it continues to have this hesitation as bad if not worse than it did initially. GMC has checked it out, gave it a test drive and said it shows no codes so they offer no help. All of my passengers notice this hesitation when it happens. The best way to describe this hesitation is when you push the gas, the truck acts like it doesn't want to go and it becomes shakey. In situations where I'm merging onto traffic, this could be dangerous, as I have had to floor it to make it accelerate. …
Engine complaints in other Canyon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 GMC Canyon?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 GMC Canyon, 8% of the model year's 271 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 GMC Canyon engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2016 GMC Canyon, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Canyon engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.