GMC Canyon
Problems & Worst Years

Power steering failure is the clear thread running through the GMC Canyon's older model years, then the complaint profile changes entirely by 2024. 2015 logs 261 occurrences across 13 problems, one safety-rated, with 89 reports describing power steering assist intermittently failing while driving, another 22 describing outright power steering assist failure, and 19 more describing loss of power steering without warning — well over half the year's complaints tied to the same system. Fifty-eight reports also describe stability and traction control intermittently failing, rated at safety severity. Two recall campaigns apply here, 16V054 and a later 21V213.

2016 doubles down on the same defect and gets more serious about it: 221 occurrences across just 8 problems, but five of those problems reach safety severity — an unusually high proportion. Power steering intermittently failing while driving leads at 57 reports, power steering assist failure adds 48 more, and stability control system failure while driving contributes 42, all three safety-rated. Transmission shuddering and misfiring (27) and ignition system malfunction (20) round out the year.

By 2024, the picture looks nothing like the 2015–2016 years. Volume is lower at 116 occurrences across 7 problems, none safety-rated, and headlights flickering intermittently dominates at 90 reports — over three-quarters of the year's complaints — with a second, closely worded headlight complaint adding 5 more. Smaller reports touch forward collision avoidance malfunctions, a coolant leak from upper radiator hose failure, and brake sensor and rotor issues.

For a 2015 or 2016 Canyon, the power steering system deserves hands-on scrutiny during a test drive — try low-speed maneuvers and parking-lot turns specifically, since intermittent failure is the reported pattern rather than a constant one. For a 2024, check the headlights across a full on/off cycle and ask whether any flickering has already been addressed.

The gap between these years likely reflects genuine changes in the vehicle as much as it reflects a newer model year simply not having accumulated as many owner reports yet — complaint counts are what drivers chose to file with NHTSA, not a fixed failure rate, and a pre-purchase inspection remains the better guide for any individual truck.