2018 GMC Canyon Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
54/100
#7 most-complained of 14 Canyon years
The 2018 GMC Canyon has a Complaint Index of 54 and ranks 7th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 52% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 25,000. One recall covers the fuel pump.
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Top 2018 GMC Canyon problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain27 (52%)
- Electrical System12 (23%)
- Engine8 (15%)
- Fuel System5 (10%)
- Other5 (10%)
- Steering4 (8%)
- Airbags2 (4%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
- Seat Belts2 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
What owners report
- Automatic transmission jerks or clunks when shifting from 4th to 5th gear, feeling like a rear-end collision.
- Transmission shifts aggressively and sluggishly during acceleration right after a cold start.
- Steering knuckle cracked at the ball joint connection, requiring dealer replacement.
- Electronic power steering intermittently fails after prolonged idling or at highway speeds, sometimes triggering traction control, ABS, and brake warning lights.
- Vehicle remains running and key cannot be removed from the ignition, with no warning lights shown.
- Back-up camera display is excessively bright at night, obscuring the driver's view when reversing.
2018 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.
2018 GMC Canyon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 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.
2018 compared with other Canyon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 GMC Canyon reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Canyon a Complaint Index of 54 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 14 model years of the Canyon. It is not the worst year but sits in the middle of the pack.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2018 GMC Canyon?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 52% of all reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 25,000. Owners describe hard shifting between 4th and 5th gear.
- Does the 2018 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 18V358000) for the fuel system, covering a high pressure fuel pump and fuel pipe replacement. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2018 Canyon compare to other years?
- The 2018 model's Complaint Index of 54 is lower than 2015 (92), 2016 (85), and 2024 (100), all rated Avoid, but higher than years like 2019 and 2020, which scored 15 and 23 and rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 GMC Canyon?
- EPA rates the 2018 Canyon at 21.5 mpg combined (19.5 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,325.