2021 GMC Canyon Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
62/100
#6 most-complained of 14 Canyon years
The 2021 GMC Canyon has a Complaint Index of 62 and ranks 6th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logs 11 complaints, 2 recalls, 2 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries, with airbags as the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25 hwy
Top 2021 GMC Canyon problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in front-end and side-impact collisions, in one case totaling the truck.
- An electrical fire started near the rear seat belt and rear window with no dashboard warning beforehand.
- The rearview backup camera image went solid blue or stopped working due to corroded wiring or faulty coaxial connectors.
- The electric power steering motor cut out on the highway, making the truck hard to control.
- The transmission vibrated and shuddered intermittently at highway speed, later triggering a check engine light.
- A driver's side low beam headlight failed after an electrical fuse burned out with no warning light shown.
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 62 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst among the 14 model years with data. It has fewer complaints (11) than the worst years like 2015 and 2016, but airbag and electrical issues stand out.
- What are the main problems with the 2021 GMC Canyon?
- Owners most often reported issues with airbags, the electrical system, collision avoidance cameras, steering, and transmission, each accounting for 18% of complaints. Two complaints involved crashes where airbags failed to deploy.
- Does the 2021 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Canyon: one for an inaccurate tire and loading placard, and one for a seat belt bolt replacement shared across several GM models. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- Which GMC Canyon model years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024 are the worst-ranked Canyon years with Complaint Indexes of 92, 85, 77, and 100. The 2021 model falls in the middle with a Caution verdict.
- What mileage do 2021 GMC Canyon problems typically show up at?
- Reported failure mileages varied by system: airbag issues appeared around 10,000 miles, electrical problems around 36,121 miles, camera issues around 46,000 miles, and transmission complaints around 58,000 miles.