2021 GMC Canyon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 GMC Canyon has a complaint index of 67, ranking 7th worst out of 19 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 11 complaints, 2 recalls, 2 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries tied to this year, with Airbags as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #7 of 19 Canyon years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2021 GMC Canyon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags2 (18%)
- Electrical System2 (18%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (18%)
- Other2 (18%)
- Steering2 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (18%)
- Lane Departure1 (9%)
- Seat Belts1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during front-end and side-impact collisions, leaving vehicles totaled with no restraint activation.
- An electrical fuse burned out and caused a low-beam headlight to stop working with no warning light shown.
- A fire started inside the cabin near a rear seat belt with no dashboard warning, requiring owners to extinguish it themselves.
- The rearview camera showed a solid blue screen instead of the backup image due to faulty coaxial cable connectors.
- The electric power steering motor cut out while driving on the highway, making the truck hard to control.
- The transmission vibrated and shuddered abnormally at highway speed, later accompanied by a check engine light.
2021 GMC Canyon recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V497000Jul 1, 2021Other7,199 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Canyon vehicles. The load carrying capacity printed on the Tire and Loading Information placard is 22.5 kg (51 lbs.) more than intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will mail owners a new B-pillar label, free of charge. Owners may apply the label, or bring it to a dealer for installation. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 17, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340735.
- NHTSA 20V811000Dec 23, 2020Seat Belts470 vehicles
Seat belts:critical fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
2021 GMC Canyon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,350
- 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.
2021 compared with other Canyon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 GMC Canyon reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Canyon a complaint index of 67, ranking 7th worst among 19 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Canyon years.
- What problems does the 2021 GMC Canyon have?
- Owners reported issues split evenly across Airbags, Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Steering, and Transmission & Powertrain, each accounting for 18% of complaints, plus fewer reports involving Lane Departure and Seat Belts.
- Does the 2021 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Canyon: one for an inaccurate tire and loading placard (campaign 21V497000) and one for suspect seat belt bolts shared across several GM models (campaign 20V811000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2021 Canyon compare to other Canyon years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 67 is worse than Best-rated years like 2019 (11), 2020 (22), and 2010-2012, but better than Avoid-rated years such as 2024 (100) and 2015 (94).
- Were there any airbag failures reported in the 2021 GMC Canyon?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 airbag complaints tied to 2 crashes, with owners reporting airbags that failed to deploy at a median mileage of 10,000 miles.