Best and worst GMC Canyon years — which to avoid

GMC Canyon is an affordable mid-size pickup truck that makes a great option on the used car market, but buying one requires some background on its worst model years. There have been quite a few GMC Canyon years to avoid so far throughout the production, and it’s mostly due to persistent issues.

Based on the driver reviews, official GMC recalls, and complaints logs that we’ve obtained from NHTSA submissions, we’ve created a list of the best models to buy and worst GMC Canyon years to avoid for proper buying guidance.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst GMC Canyon years

Buying a used GMC Canyon isn’t easy, especially if you don’t know enough about its problematic model years. So, our team ranked all of the model years from best to worst to help you figure out which years you should steer away from.

You can trust our guides as we mostly use renowned sources with authority in the automotive industry, especially in the US. Our team of experts complied NHTSA reports, common complaints, consumer satisfaction scores, and reviews of different GMC Canyon years to bring you the following results:

Most common GMC Canyon problems

For this category of vehicle, the Canyon seems pretty reliable based on the average reliability ratings and safety tests. However, some common drawbacks shouldn’t go by without an explanation, so we wanted to give you a close-up of these problems.

1. Engine problems

While the Canyon didn’t have many engine issues, it did have a few complications that were related to the engine’s operation. There’s a common problem of worn engine valve seals that’s specific to this model, and further engine complications are possible because of it.

One such problem is the engine misfire issue which also comes with rough idling while stationary. Luckily, it didn’t turn out to be a serious problem, but it’s either way not a good sign for the engine operation. Moving on, we also have some claims of transmission issues including improper gear shifts followed by shaking and shuddering.

That’s why previous owners have faced quite a bit of rough idling, engine misfires, sluggish acceleration, and loss of engine power. On top of that, some owners reported excessive engine oil consumption for the Canyon vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter V8 engine.

2. Transmission issues and rough shifting

There’s nothing worse than buying a used car with engine or transmission issues since these systems are expensive to rebuild. So, it’s worth knowing that some Canyon models had a few issues with the transmission as well.

This problem mostly affected the first-generation Canyon vehicles with a 4-speed automatic transmission, but there were some reports of the same issue for the 6-speed automatic that followed. These issues mainly involved transmission noises, harsh shifting, and even some delayed shifting that proved to be dangerous while on the open road.

On top of that, rebuilding a transmission didn’t help much, so many owners turned to remanufactured transmissions. These are professionally rebuilt transmissions with a special focus put on the mentioned problems so they don’t happen again. Still, it’s an expensive investment, so it may be a better idea to go for a manual Canyon just in case.

3. Malfunctioning torque converter

A torque converter is used in cars with an automatic transmission to deliver the engine power to the wheels, and it’s a key component of the transmission. Torque converter problems were quite common for the first generation of the Canyon, and it’s an issue that can only be solved by replacing the faulty component.

The signs of a bad torque converter often go from vibration and shuddering to more severe issues like shifting problems and even transmission fluid leaks. Eventually, it can lead to a completely seized transmission and that leads to expensive rebuilds. So, it’s essential to keep this issue in mind when you set out to take a look at a few used Canyon vehicles. A replacement torque converter for the GMC Canyon often goes for around $200 to $500 just for the replacement part.

4. Electrical system issues

This one may seem like a small problem, but it’s just as bothersome as engine issues sometimes. Of course, it’s not in terms of the problem severity, but rather when it comes to struggles of finding out the source. For instance, a bad resistor is known to cause quite havoc in terms of the A/C unit and its operation, and the same goes for the inoperable dashboard buttons.

The good thing is – you can mostly use the OBD II scanner tool to find out the source of the electrical problems and prevent more serious damage like ECU faults.

Worst GMC Canyon years to avoid

The GMC Canyon is a reliable and well-built mid-size pickup truck that’s a great bargain on the current used car market. If it weren’t for the transmission problems and misfires, it would surely be the top pick among this class of trucks.

Having in mind that some issues still prevail, the main question is – what are the worst GMC Canyon years? The worst GMC Canyon years to avoid are 2015 and 2016, but here’s a complete breakdown:

• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2015
• 2016

Of course, we’ll take a closer look at these to further explain how you can deal with the issues and make the best possible pick reliability-wise.

First-generation GMC Canyon (2004-2005 model years)

When it comes to the first generation of the Canyon, you can mostly see the model years 2004 and 2005 in terms of high numbers of driver complaints. It’s no wonder since these model years had struggles with the 4-speed automatic transmission.

Cases of harsh shifting and transmission noises are quite common, and so are the torque converter problems that all result in expensive repairs. To make things worse for the drivers, there were some problems with excessive oil consumption, so it’s better to steer away from the 2004 and 2005 Canyon if you are considering buying this model.

Second-generation GMC Canyon (2015-2016 and 2018 model years)

In terms of the second-gen Canyon models to avoid, there are several problematic model years. Among these, the 2015 and 2016 Canyon received the most complaints and there were numerous recalls triggered by the issues surrounding them,

Some airbag faults were handled in the 2016 recall, as well as problems with the brakes and power steering assist system. These are all essential systems for driving safety, so it’s no wonder that drivers avoid them at all costs. Along with these, the 2018 model year also suffered from bad critics, mostly because of the low fuel pressure pump faults and transmission problems.

What are the best GMC Canyon years to buy?

We know that going through the numbers and the common issues may be scary for you as a potential buyer, but it’s crucial to help you make a well-informed decision. This doesn’t mean that all the GMC Canyon models are bad, so let’s take a look at the list of the model years that didn’t come with many problems:

• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021

If you are looking for a first-gen model that’s good to buy used, you should look at the 2009 model which didn’t have the notorious transmission struggles that were common for 2004-2005 units. Also, the 2013 and 2014 models have received the least complaints by far among the first-gen models.

2009 GMC Canyon

The 2009 Canyon proved to be the most reliable one out of all the first-gen and second-gen models for that matter. It’s the superb pick among used Canyons for several reasons, prime among which is its impeccable owner satisfaction feedback and ratings that were pretty impressive.

The 2009 Canyon didn’t have many NHTSA complaints and reports on faulty vehicle systems as only some minor interior accessory faults were reported, but the engine and transmission were mostly fine throughout its life cycle, so it’s a good used option.

2012 GMC Canyon

The 2012 GMC Canyon came right before the problematic 2015 and 2016 years which proved to be the worst Canyons out there later on. It didn’t have any issues except for some A/C malfunctions and electric system lags, but it mostly reflected in interior accessories and their performance.

When it comes to the engine and transmission, it’s one of the most reliable Canyon models out there with great feedback from drivers and previous owners and very low maintenance costs compared to its value.

Is the GMC Canyon worth buying?

Based on the details provided by the NHTSA and sites that register driver complaints for a specific model, the Canyon is a reliable pickup truck. It has a lower rate of major problems than that of the closest competitors like the Ranger or Nissan Frontier.

On the other hand, it offers plenty of space and a variety of engine options that will leave no automotive enthusiast unmoved. With all this in mind, we are sure that you’ll be able to use the pieces of advice from this guide to find a suitable model year for your needs.

Want to dodge the duds and find a solid car? We’ve done the homework for you, separating the winners from the losers with insights from owners and a close look at each model’s issues. For a quick guide to a reliable choice, check out our insights on the Chevy Colorado years to avoid, Toyota Tacoma years to avoid, and Nissan Frontier years to avoid.