NHTSA vehicle safety data

2026 GMC Canyon Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2026 GMC Canyon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized GMC dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2026 GMC Canyon, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2026 GMC Canyon owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 GMC Canyon, describing incidents dated March 31, 2026 to September 9, 2026.

Most-cited components

Power Train 3 complaints
Steering 2 complaints
Back Over Prevention 1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11765143 · Filed September 17, 2026
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…
ODI #11763030 · Filed September 9, 2026
I’ve 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…
ODI #11755837 · Filed August 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger’s 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…

Read all 8 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2026 GMC Canyon in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA26-006: Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
Open since August 21, 2026

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Missing Owner's Manual/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #26V114000 · Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual · NHTSA notice

Reported February 26, 2026 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 5,861 vehicles

Repair completion: 73.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N252540430 · Owners notified April 16, 2026 · Vehicles built July 17, 2025 – November 10, 2025 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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, “Occupant Protection.”

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s 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.

Passenger Air Bag May Deploy Improperly/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #25V856000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported December 11, 2025 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,120 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N252533510 · Owners notified January 30, 2026 · Vehicles built May 8, 2025 – October 30, 2025 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024–2026 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, “Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

2026 GMC CANYON PU/CC N/A RWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Driver: 3, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning

1 investigation

2026 GMC CANYON PU/CC N/A 4WD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Driver: 3, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning

1 investigation

8 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2026 GMC Canyon.

Steering

ODI #11765143

Incident: August 20, 2026 · Filed: September 17, 2026

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.

Power Train; Unknown or Other; Back Over Prevention

ODI #11763030

Incident: September 9, 2026 · Filed: September 9, 2026

I’ve 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, I’ve 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 couldn’t find any issues with the transmission, along with the coolant leak. They claimed they couldn’t find a leak, but the service advisor could smell a strong coolant leak. Later on March 5th the coolant leaked, and I got a different advisor. She could smell the leak but the tech couldn’t replicate the issue. A few months later, around August, I took the truck to a different dealership, the Buick GMC dealership at [XXX]. I informed them that I had a coolant leak smell, a transmission shutter, and other issues listed on the repair order They couldn’t find the transmission problem or the coolant leak, but the advisor could also smell the coolant leak. I’m getting tired of going to the dealership and getting a turnaround to go home with the same issue. I have issue with parking sensor blocked all the time. My AC issue is becoming more problem for me, the temp doesn’t match the reading with a thermometer, it’s way off to the point where I have to turn it to LoW to get max cold. When set at 65, it feels like 75 degree. I have videos. My last 2009 GMC Canyon 3.7 crew cab treated me and my family well for 13 years. I bought it in 2013 and sold it in XXX. I thought to choose GMC Canyon over Toyota Tacoma, but now that I’ve been experiencing this issue nonstop, I’m regretting the decision to pay the truck in full cash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11755837

Incident: August 8, 2026 · Filed: August 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger’s 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.

Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11753082

Incident: July 22, 2026 · Filed: July 27, 2026

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.

Power Train

ODI #11747612

Incident: June 30, 2026 · Filed: July 1, 2026

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.

Steering

ODI #11742788

Incident: May 27, 2026 · Filed: June 8, 2026

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 yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 600.

Power Train

ODI #11737043

Incident: May 7, 2026 · Filed: May 11, 2026

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.

Wheels

ODI #11728384

Incident: March 31, 2026 · Filed: March 31, 2026

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

Other GMC Canyon model years

Check your 2026 GMC Canyon VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your GMC Canyon at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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