YearToAvoid

2016 GMC Canyon Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 29 Engine complaints for the 2016 GMC Canyon, 11% of its 268 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure was 26,000 miles. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
29
11% of 268
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
26,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Unexpected acceleration or rising RPM without driver input, sometimes recurring every few weeks while shifting gears.
  • Delayed or unresponsive throttle when the accelerator pedal is pressed, lasting several seconds at various speeds.
  • Sudden loss of power on the highway where the vehicle fails to accelerate or decelerate normally until shifted into neutral.
  • Hesitation or stumbling when accelerating in traffic, going uphill, or rounding corners that owners say persists well beyond a typical break-in period.
  • Reports of smoke or fire coming from the engine bay while driving at highway speed with no dashboard warning lights.

When 2016 GMC Canyon engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 23, 2017, latest Oct 8, 2025.

2016 GMC Canyon engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2017Jun 2017May 2019Aug 2020Apr 2021May 2022Jan 2025
29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2017 to Oct 2025; peak Jan 2017 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2016 GMC Canyon

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Canyon model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20102 (25%)
  2. 20114 (33%)
  3. 20122 (9%)
  4. 201514 (5%)
  5. 201629 (11%)
  6. 201717 (26%)
  7. 20188 (15%)
  8. 20193 (19%)
  9. 20204 (29%)
  10. 20210 (0%)
  11. 20222 (8%)
  12. 202313 (21%)
  13. 202415 (7%)
  14. 20253 (38%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 GMC Canyon have?
NHTSA lists 29 Engine complaints for the 2016 Canyon, making up 11% of the 268 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 GMC Canyon engine problems?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint area.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Canyon engine problems tend to appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 26,000 miles.
Did the 2016 GMC Canyon engine issues cause crashes or fires?
NHTSA data tied to this Engine complaint area includes 2 crashes and 2 fires, with 0 injuries reported.
What do owners describe with the 2016 GMC Canyon engine?
Owners describe unexpected acceleration, delayed throttle response, hesitation while accelerating, and in some cases smoke or fire from the engine bay.

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.