YearToAvoid

2015 GMC Canyon Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

92/100

#2 most-complained of 14 Canyon years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2015 GMC Canyon ranks 2nd worst of 14 model years, with a Complaint Index of 92, 303 complaints, and 8 recalls. Steering problems dominate at 75% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 67,764 miles, making this a year to approach with caution.

Complaints
303
Recalls
8
Crashes / fires
7 / 4
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18.5 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2015 GMC Canyon problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering226 (75%)
  2. Brakes47 (16%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain38 (13%)
  4. Electrical System33 (11%)
  5. Engine14 (5%)
  6. Other14 (5%)
  7. Airbags7 (2%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers6 (2%)
  9. Fuel System5 (2%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (2%)

What owners report

  • Steering wheel becomes stiff and power steering assist is lost at various speeds, sometimes with traction control or unknown warning lights on.
  • Vehicle has caught fire under the hood while driving at low to moderate speeds, with smoke appearing before flames.
  • Driver frontal air bags failed to deploy during a frontal crash at around 45 mph.
  • Left front wheel detached while making a turn on a nearly new vehicle.
  • Vehicle suddenly shut off at highway speed after the battery saver light illuminated, followed by fire near the battery.
  • Driver seat reported as loose and difficult to secure.
2015 GMC Canyon complaints: complaints filed per quarter252015 Q12016 Q32018 Q12019 Q32021 Q12022 Q32024 Q12025 Q3
399 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (25).

2015 GMC Canyon recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V213000Mar 25, 2021Steering60,681 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The power steering assist may be lost due to a poor electrical connection within the steering gear assembly.

    Risk: A loss of power steering, particularly at lower speeds increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202325410.

  2. NHTSA 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel System895 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

    Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

  3. NHTSA 17V621000Oct 5, 2017Airbags16 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

See all 8 recalls for the 2015 GMC Canyon →

2015 GMC Canyon fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2015 compared with other Canyon years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Best812519
2012Good3123219
2015Avoid92303821
2016Avoid85268421.5
2017Caution6966121.5

All GMC Canyon years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 GMC Canyon reliable?
NHTSA lists 303 complaints and a Complaint Index of 92 for the 2015 Canyon, and it ranks 2nd worst among the 14 model years covered, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Canyon years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2015 GMC Canyon?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 75% of complaints (226 of 303), with a median failure mileage of 67,764 miles.
Does the 2015 GMC Canyon have a steering recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 21V213000 covers loss of power steering assist from a poor electrical connection in the steering gear, and recall 16V054000 covers a related steering gear torque sensor issue on vehicles built in early 2015.
How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Canyon have?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2015 GMC Canyon, covering steering, brakes, fuel system, airbags, and structure/body issues.
How does the 2015 Canyon compare to other years?
The 2015 Canyon's Complaint Index of 92 is higher than 2010 (0), 2011 (8), 2019 (15), and 2020 (23), but slightly below the worst year, 2024, which scores 100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.