Does the 2018 GMC Canyon have transmission problems?

Yes. NHTSA lists 27 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Canyon, making up 52% of the 52 total complaints filed for that model year. Owners mainly describe harsh shifting and shuddering.

Is there a recall for the 2018 GMC Canyon transmission?

No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2018 Canyon.

At what mileage do 2018 Canyon transmission problems start?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 25,000 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2018 Canyon.

Were there any crashes linked to transmission complaints?

NHTSA records one crash among the 27 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Canyon, with no fires or injuries reported.

How does the 2018 Canyon compare to other years for this problem?

The 2018 model year's 52% share of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain is higher than most other Canyon model years listed, including 2017 at 27% and 2019 at 38%.

2018 GMC Canyon Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 27 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 GMC Canyon, 52% of all 52 complaints filed for the year. Owners mainly report harsh or jerky shifting and shuddering in the 8-speed automatic, with a median failure mileage of 25,000 miles. No related recall is listed.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 27; 52% of 52
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 25,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners describe the 8-speed automatic jerking or clunking between 4th and 5th gear hard enough to feel like being rear-ended.
Several report a shudder or vibration felt around 55-60 mph or while climbing hills, sometimes described as driving over rumble strips.
Some owners say the transmission shifts sluggishly and aggressively in the first gears right after a cold start.
One owner reported the transmission briefly slipping into free-wheel before re-engaging with a surge, diagnosed as an internal transmission issue.
A separate report describes the four-wheel-drive actuator disengaging while driving uphill in snow, leading to a loss of traction and a crash.
One owner noted the key would not come out of the ignition when parked, requiring repeated restarts.

When 2018 GMC Canyon transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 28, 2018, latest Jul 30, 2026.

27 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2018 to Jul 2026; peak Sep 2018 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 GMC Canyon

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Canyon model year

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

20057 (6%)
20061 (2%)
20074 (10%)
20083 (8%)
20095 (19%)
20101 (13%)
20112 (17%)
20121 (4%)
201538 (13%)
201639 (15%)
201718 (27%)
201827 (52%)
20196 (38%)
20206 (43%)
20212 (18%)
20225 (19%)
20236 (10%)
20244 (2%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 GMC Canyon have transmission problems?: Yes. NHTSA lists 27 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Canyon, making up 52% of the 52 total complaints filed for that model year. Owners mainly describe harsh shifting and shuddering.
Is there a recall for the 2018 GMC Canyon transmission?: No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2018 Canyon.
At what mileage do 2018 Canyon transmission problems start?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 25,000 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2018 Canyon.
Were there any crashes linked to transmission complaints?: NHTSA records one crash among the 27 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Canyon, with no fires or injuries reported.
How does the 2018 Canyon compare to other years for this problem?: The 2018 model year's 52% share of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain is higher than most other Canyon model years listed, including 2017 at 27% and 2019 at 38%.