2017 GMC Canyon Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
69/100
#5 most-complained of 14 Canyon years
The 2017 GMC Canyon has 66 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 69, ranking 5th-worst among 14 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by transmission and engine problems, plus one fuel system recall.
- Complaints
- 66
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25.5 hwy
Top 2017 GMC Canyon problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (27%)
- Engine17 (26%)
- Other13 (20%)
- Electrical System12 (18%)
- Steering8 (12%)
- Brakes7 (11%)
- Fuel System7 (11%)
- Airbags3 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
What owners report
- Transmission shifts hard or grinds, sometimes with a rattling sound tied to a failed torque converter.
- Vehicle unexpectedly drops into neutral while stopped or moving, refusing to re-engage drive or reverse.
- Engine develops an oil leak from a pinhole in the oil coolant hose, sometimes going unnoticed for a while.
- Steering becomes very difficult to turn after startup on cold mornings, accompanied by a power steering warning message.
- Owners report a highway-speed vibration between roughly 40 and 70 mph that persists after tire balancing, wheel bearing replacement, and a transmission fluid flush.
- Engine suffers a sudden, complete failure while driving despite documented maintenance.
2017 GMC Canyon recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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.
2017 GMC Canyon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 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.
2017 compared with other Canyon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 GMC Canyon reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Canyon a complaint index of 69 and 66 complaints, placing it 5th-worst out of 14 model years, so it earns a Caution verdict relative to other Canyon years.
- What are the main problems with the 2017 GMC Canyon?
- Transmission and powertrain issues make up 27% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 20,000 miles, followed closely by engine problems at 26% with a median mileage of 15,400 miles.
- Does the 2017 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 18V358000) covers the fuel system; GM replaces the high pressure fuel pump and fuel pipe free of charge.
- How does the 2017 Canyon compare to other years?
- It's better than the 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024 model years, which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 92, 85, 77, and 100, but worse than years like 2019, 2020, and 2025, rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 GMC Canyon?
- EPA rates it at 21.5 mpg combined (19 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,325.