Reliable Auto DB

2021 GMC Canyon reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 GMC Canyon holds 11 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Canyon years here — under the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Labels and Seat belts.

2012 GMC Canyon
Photo by 42-BRT, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

11

Per year

1

Recalls

2

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (2 of 11), then Powertrain (2) and Steering (2). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Canyon has 14 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 26 complaints, 5 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 GMC Canyon. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Labels 2021-07-01 · NHTSA campaign 21V497000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Canyon vehicles. The load carrying capacity printed on the Tire and Loading Information placard is 22.5 kg (51 lbs.) more than intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Remedy GM will mail owners a new B-pillar label, free of charge. Owners may apply the label, or bring it to a dealer for installation. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 17, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340735.
Recall Seat belts 2020-12-23 · NHTSA campaign 20V811000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

Complaints by component (11 total)

Air bags
2
Powertrain
2
Steering
2
Back-over prevention
1
Electrical system
1
Exterior lighting
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Lane departure
1
Seat belts
1
Show 1 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

2202112023320243202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "While driving a few days ago, power steering abruptly stopped working and a service power steering message appeared. It was very difficult to steer the vehicle back home. I've tried replacing the battery and resetting…"
    Steering · filed 2026-07-30
  • "The contact owns a 2021 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver’s side low beam headlight failed to illuminate as intended. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the…"
    Exterior lighting · filed 2026-02-05
  • "The contact owns a 2021 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention screen image was solid blue, and there was no image displayed, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The…"
    Back-over prevention · filed 2025-11-10
  • "The contact owns a 2021 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The…"
    Powertrain · filed 2025-08-11
  • "The electric power steering motor stopped working while driving on the highway. The vehicle was almost impossible to control and almost caused me to enter the oncoming lane of traffic."
    Steering · filed 2025-02-17

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 GMC Canyon PU/CC 2WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2021 GMC Canyon PU/CC 4WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2021 GMC Canyon PU/EC 2WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2021 GMC Canyon PU/EC 4WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Canyon two-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 19 25 22 MPG $2950
Canyon two-wheel drive 2.8L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 20 30 23 MPG $4100
Canyon two-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 18 25 21 MPG $3100
Canyon four-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Four-wheel drive 16 22 18 MPG $3600
Canyon four-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 19 24 21 MPG $3100
Canyon four-wheel drive 2.8L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 19 28 22 MPG $4300

Specs and fitment

2nd generation, 2015–2022
Body styles Pickup
Oil dexos1 5W-30 (4-cylinder/V6 per manual) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 255/65R17, 265/70R16, 265/60R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 7,700 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 18V-358 covers certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon trucks (with Colorado, Malibu, Acadia, and other GM models): the high-pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange and damage the high-pressure fuel line, creating a fuel-leak fire risk; dealers replace the pump and pipe. Campaign 17V-621 covers certain 2015-2016 Canyon and Colorado trucks where the driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment; dealers replace the driver frontal air bag module. Shared campaign unit counts cover multiple GM nameplates.

Compare

Previous year 2020 GMC Canyon Next year 2022 GMC Canyon See every GMC Canyon model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 GMC Canyon reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 GMC Canyon holds 11 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Canyon years here — under the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Labels and Seat belts.

What are common problems with a 2021 GMC Canyon?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (2 of 11), then Powertrain (2) and Steering (2). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 GMC Canyon more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Canyon has 14 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 26 complaints, 5 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 GMC Canyon been recalled?

The 2021 GMC Canyon has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 GMC Canyon?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2021 GMC Canyon with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 GMC Canyon get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 GMC Canyon is 21.2 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a GMC Canyon use?

US Canyon manuals specify dexos-approved oil for your engine in the maintenance schedule.

What generation is the 2024 GMC Canyon?

3rd generation (2023-on).

What tire sizes does a GMC Canyon use?

Sizes vary widely by generation and trim; third-gen examples include 265/65R18, 275/60R20, and 285/70R17.