Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became significantly difficult to steer. The power steering, the transfer case, and the anti-sway warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH around a curve, the failure recurred. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle decelerated; however, the vehicle went into a ditch, which scratched paint off the front passenger's side plastic bumper. There was no injury sustained. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact was able to resume driving. …
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the power steering failed. The contact stated that the ABS and "traction control" warnings were illuminated. The contact stated that he pulled off of the road and turned the vehicle off and on several times and the power steering regained functionality. The contact stated that the power steering failure had been intermittent initially but had become a recurring failure that would occur at any speed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed showing a C0545 code (steering wheel torque sensor malfunction) and determined that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering). …
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 NHTSA Hotline for assistance. …
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A warning message indicating a power steering failure was displayed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle by using physical force to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the next day, the vehicle responded as needed. However, upon test driving the vehicle, the failure recurred. The vehicle later responded as needed and was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to GMC Technical Service Bulletin Number: 15595A and GMC Campaign Number: N202325410. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn. The traction control and Service Vehicle Soon lights were illuminated. The message "Power Steering Fault - Drive with Care" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the shoulder lane to restart the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall, and there was no failure cause for the failure found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
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 contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost electric power steering, and the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact pulled to the shoulder of the roadway and turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering became operable; however, the failure recurred while driving. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service Power Steering" message was displayed, and the contact became aware that the electric power steering was not functioning properly. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering column shaft torque sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V054000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 146,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering gear assembly due to an electrical short. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering), but neither the VIN nor the model year was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, an error message for the "Stabili-track" failure was displayed on the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times before. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle needed an alignment and steering rack replacement. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
Steering complaints in other Canyon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2016 GMC Canyon?
NHTSA has 181 complaints about the steering of the 2016 GMC Canyon, 67% of the model year's 271 complaints. The component named most often is column (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 GMC Canyon steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering 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.