2020 GMC Canyon recalls & problems

Safety recalls

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

• Power train

  Truck feels like it is going over rumble strips when accelerating. There is a NTHSA bulletin for this. 21-NA-047

  Aug 10, 2026
• Power train

  The main issue is the transmission... It shudders. Now I have to change the oil every 10K miles on it, or it will start shuddering again. It first started when the truck had 50K or a little more miles in it. The issue was resolved, I thought... Then it did it again at 69K (Just out of the warranty). I called the dealership and they stated I had to pay if I wanted an oil change, and they could not do an oil flush even if I paid for it. So I said OK, I will take it to a mechanic, and I did and "fixed" the problem. I used the oil GM recommended and the shuddering stopped. BUT then, another 10K miles and it starts again. I have changed the oil a lot of times... It now has 128K miles in it, and…

  Mar 16, 2023
• Service brakes, hydraulic

  The contact owns a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while her son was attempting to park the vehicle in a parking garage, there was a loud screeching sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The contact's son used excessive force to depress the brake pedal, and an unknown warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a vacuum pump failure, which caused the end of the cam shaft to fracture. The contact called several dealers and was informed that the cam shaft was on backorder. The contact stated that one of the dealers stated that the failure was a common issue resulting in…

  Oct 1, 2025 · 80,000 miles
• Electrical system

  The contact owns a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated upon depressing the brake pedal and turning the key in the ignition switch to turn off the vehicle, the key failed to turn to the OFF position and remained stuck. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon turning the key back to the ON position and moving the gear shifter several times, the contact was able to turn off the vehicle successfully. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring, and on several occasions, the key could not be released and was left in the ignition switch. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure…

  Dec 15, 2024 · 23,000 miles
• Engine

  See attached document for complaint

  Oct 19, 2023
• Air bagsCrash1 injury

  The contact owned a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, he crashed into the vehicle in front. The contact stated that the vehicle was switching lanes abruptly, and did not have enough time to slow down or stop. No warning lights were illuminated on the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a yard by the police department. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back, arm, neck, fractured ribs, lung, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 58,000.

  Dec 18, 2023 · 58,000 miles
• Electrical system

  The wiring in most vehicles 2020 and newer are soy/ nut based product… which squirrels, rodents and other animals can’t resist and the wiring throughout the vehicle is being chewed this all makes all models all manufacturers… there is also problems with the 8 speed transmission that shutters and hard gear changing and the quick fix is to flush out and refill it with transmission fluid

  Nov 20, 2023
• Steering

  The contact owns a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence and then to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the power steering module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,432.

  Apr 14, 2023 · 63,432 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.