Is the 2016 Gmc CANYON reliable?

The 2016 Gmc CANYON has 353 complaints filed with NHTSA (9.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Gmc CANYON?

Top problems: STEERING (177 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (39 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (36 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Gmc CANYON?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Gmc CANYON?

The 2016 Gmc CANYON gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Gmc CANYON?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Gmc CANYON is approximately $1,630/year (truck-fullsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Gmc CANYON

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Gmc CANYON has 353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 9.1x the segment average of 39. The most common issue is steering problems (50% of all complaints), specifically: faulty electric power steering caused vehicle veer off the rode hitting a concrete wall, concrete mail box and telephone. vehicle was totaled. the vehicle was north bound a two black top road at a slight right hand turn.. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 9 crash reports 2 injuries

353

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

9.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

177 complaints

50%

• FAULTY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CAUSED VEHICLE VEER OFF THE RODE HITTING A CONCRETE WALL, CONCRETE MAIL BOX AND TELEPHONE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS NORTH BOUND A TWO BLACK TOP ROAD AT A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND TURN.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V054000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF
• ON 12/29.2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 AM ON A CLEAR BRIGHT DAY I WAS DRIVING NEAR MY MY HOME RETURNING FROM AND ERRAND. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 90% THROUGH A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN WHEN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROAD, CONTINUE DOWN A DITCH HITTING A CONCRETE DRIVE,

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“FAULTY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CAUSED VEHICLE VEER OFF THE RODE HITTING A CONCRETE WALL, CONCRETE MAIL BOX AND TELEPHONE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS NORTH BOUND A TWO BLACK TOP ROAD AT A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND TURN.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Gmc CANYON

Based on 171 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 48K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 33K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 36K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Later than typicalmedian 35K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL05/10/2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Gmc CANYON

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Gmc CANYON

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,630

Full coverage / month

$136

Liability only / year

$635

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-fullsize)1.08x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1630

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc CANYON Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2016 CANYON, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 353 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: FAULTY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CAUSED VEHICLE VEER OFF THE RODE HITTING A CONCRETE WALL, CONCRETE MAIL BOX AND TELEPHONE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS NORTH BOUND A TWO BLACK TOP ROAD AT A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND TURN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT FROM A HIGH GEAR (5 OR 6) TO A LOWER GEAR WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM 45 MPH TO 20 MPH (OR LOWER). WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE BUCKS, VIBRATES, AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE RPM DROPS TO 1,000 RPM OR LOWER. IF THE ACCELERATOR IS QUI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS A 2016 GMC CANYON WHERE THE RADIO/ONSTAR/REAR VIEW CAMERA ETC CUTS OUT AFTER A SHORT OPERATION TIME -- MY FRIEND HAS TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WITH NO RESULTS. MY FIEND IS ELDERLY AND DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER THAT IS WHY I AM DOING THIS FOR HIM. THE BACK-UP CAMERA DOES NOT OPERA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)