YearToAvoid

2019 GMC Canyon Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

15/100

#12 most-complained of 14 Canyon years

The 2019 GMC Canyon has 16 complaints and a complaint index of 15, the second-best figure among 14 model years, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other Canyon years. No recalls are on file for this year.

Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
19 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2019 GMC Canyon problems

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

  1. Transmission & Powertrain6 (38%)
  2. Electrical System5 (31%)
  3. Engine3 (19%)
  4. Fuel System3 (19%)
  5. Other3 (19%)
  6. Steering1 (6%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (6%)

What owners report

  • Transmission slips on inclines and can persist even after dealers change the fluid.
  • Vehicle hesitates and shifts harshly at low speeds, producing a jerky ride with a fear of stalling.
  • High-pressure fuel pump has broken while driving, triggering a Stabilitrack warning, reduced engine power, and a hard knocking noise.
  • Engine oil cooler pipe corrodes through, leaking oil onto hot engine parts and producing smoke from under the hood.
  • Ignition key can fail to turn or release, leaving the vehicle unable to start or shut off.
  • One vehicle caught fire while parked, with the cabin and bed destroyed and the cause listed as unknown.
2019 GMC Canyon complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2019Jun 2021Dec 2022Apr 2023Nov 2023Jul 2024Jul 2025Apr 2026
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2019 to Apr 2026; peak Apr 2026 (4).

2019 GMC Canyon recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2019 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.

2019 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
2017Caution6966121.5
2018Caution5452121.5
2019Best1516021.5
2020Best2314021.5
2021Caution6211221.5

All GMC Canyon years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 GMC Canyon reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 Canyon has 16 complaints and a complaint index of 15, ranking 12th worst out of 14 model years and earning a "Best" verdict compared to other Canyon years.
What is the most common problem with the 2019 GMC Canyon?
Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 6 of 16 complaints, or 38 percent, with a median failure mileage of 500 miles.
Does the 2019 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2019 GMC Canyon.
How does the 2019 Canyon compare to other bad Canyon years?
The 2019 model performs far better than 2015, 2016, and 2024, which each carry an "Avoid" verdict with complaint indexes of 92, 85, and 100 respectively.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 GMC Canyon?
EPA rates the 2019 Canyon at 21.5 mpg combined (19 city / 25.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,325.

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.