The 2026 GMC Canyon has 2 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (3 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints8filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
NHTSA recall 26V114000 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles
Problem: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, âOccupant Protection.â
Risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic ownerâs manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 25V856000 · Dec 11, 2025 · 1,120 vehicles
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024â2026 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV vehicles. Incorrect sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software may cause a second stage passenger air bag deployment when only a first stage is intended. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, âOccupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the SDM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252533510. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 11, 2025.
Components: Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module › Software
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
2026 GMC CANYON PU/CC N/A 4WD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2026 GMC CANYON PU/CC N/A RWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2026 GMC CANYON - AT4X AEV PU/CC N/A 4WD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
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
Canyon 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Canyon 4WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Canyon Mud Terrain Tires 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Canyon AT4X 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Canyon AT4X AEV 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 16 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
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
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train
3
0
0
0
—
Steering
2
0
0
0
—
Wheels
1
0
0
0
—
Forward collision avoidance Warnings
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
Back over prevention Warnings
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 20, 2026Steering Intermediate steering column defect causing a pronounced dashboard rattle. The dealer (Putnam GMC, Burlingame, CA) diagnosed the issue under warranty, but the required part is on national backorder with no ship date. The vehicle has been out of service at the dealership since September 2, 2026 awaiting the part. This is a steering-related defect on a brand-new vehicle with approximately 1,500 miles.
Sep 9, 2026Power train Iâve included all my repair orders regarding to coolant smell/leak and transmission shutter. I purchased my truck on XXX. We had planned a family vacation to [XXX], and we were driving up when I felt the transmission shutter at around 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. while cruising at approximately 55 to 62 mph. Since then, Iâve noticed it happening more frequently. I took the truck to GMC dealer Jack Hanaia at [XXX] (I believe it was in XXX). I expressed my concerns, and they couldnât find any issues with the transmission, along with the coolant leak. They claimed they couldnât find a leak, but the service advisor could smell a strong coolant leak. Later on March 5th the coolant leaked, and I got…
Aug 8, 2026 · 100 milesService brakes, hydraulic The contact owns a 2026 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the passengerâs side rear brakes were making an abnormal crunching sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
Jul 22, 2026Forward collision avoidance › Warnings GM pushed a system update to my truck last week. I noticed the front bumper sensors are no longer working. In addition, the auto start-stop function no longer works.
Jun 30, 2026Power train I was pushing the accelerator, and the transmission hesitated at about 45 mph. For about 2-3 seconds, the vehicle would not upshift. The RPMs revved, and finally the vehicle slam-shifted into gear. The vehicle drove normally for the rest of the drive cycle.
May 27, 2026 · 600 milesSteering The contact owns a 2026 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions and exceeding 35 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown steering wheel part was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was taken back to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and exceeding 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered on bumpy roads. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired as of yet because the part was not…
May 7, 2026Power train With 94 Miles my brand new GMC Canyon AT4 I leased had a catastrophic failure while i was driving it, the front axle essentially exploded. The findings were that their was no oil/lubricant installed in it from the factory which made this happen. I now have to wait many months for the dealership to repair my vehicle while i have a "loaner" with a bunch of restrictions on it. And i have to pay my lease the entire time it is being worked on because of a factory fault. If i had been going more than 25 mph this would have resulted in a crash/injury.
Mar 31, 2026Wheels when apply GM update V661.10. tire pressure sensors are wipe out. resulting in 4 flat tire being indicated on the display. GM has no answers for this. this is a safety system that should not be disabled
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA26006 · opened Aug 21, 2026 · openElectronic Brake Module Component Failure On April 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24011 after receiving complaints concerning a loss of brake assist in 2023 MY Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. These complaints allege a hard brake pedal, followed by a âBrake System Failureâ message at start up or while driving. GM shared records regarding several internal investigations for loss of brake assist due to alleged spindle fractures in the eBoost system. GM has stated that in the event of a spindle fracture, anti-lock brakes (ABS), stability control, and traction control remain functional until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. At this point, ABS, brake assist, stability control, and traction control functions are lost. The loss of these functions causes the vehicle to set one of three Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) based on failed performance criteria for the Electronic Brake…