2021 Gmc Canyon problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (2) · Power Train (2) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Canyon model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Equipment:other:labels 2021-07-01 · campaign 21V497000 · 7,199 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:critical Fasteners 2020-12-23 · campaign 20V811000 · 470 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (748)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-26 · GM Update N25-250552 · Over The Air
• improvements to onstar functionality.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-21 · PIP5700H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · PIC6551C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a mec reset for wireless projection issues
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Showing the 6 most recent of 748 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum · 78,378 mi“the contact owns a 2021 gmc canyon. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes became inoperable and the vehicle shut off. the contact repeatedly pumped the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. the contact stated that there was a large cloud of white smoke and immediately associated the failure with the vacuum pump. the c…”
2026-07-30 · Steering“while driving a few days ago, power steering abruptly stopped working and a service power steering message appeared. it was very difficult to steer the vehicle back home. i've tried replacing the battery and resetting the steering sensor to no avail.…”
2026-02-05 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 36,121 mi“the contact owns a 2021 gmc canyon. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver’s side low beam headlight failed to illuminate as intended. no warning light was illuminated. in addition, the contact stated that upon further inspection, an unknown electrical fuse was burned. the vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it w…”
2025-11-10 · Back Over Prevention · 46,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 gmc canyon. the contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention screen image was solid blue, and there was no image displayed, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the rearview camera coaxial cable connectors were faulty and needed to…”
2025-08-11 · Power Train · 69,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 gmc canyon. the contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle vibrated and shuddered abnormally. the contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but became a recurring failure. the contact stated that the check engine warnin…”
2025-02-17 · Steering“the electric power steering motor stopped working while driving on the highway. the vehicle was almost impossible to control and almost caused me to enter the oncoming lane of traffic. …”
2024-11-19 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“while driving, a fire started inside the vehicle between the rear passenger side seat belt and the rear window. my daughters were in the back seat and started screaming. i immediately stopped the vehicle and ran to put the fire out by smothering and throwing water on it. there was zero warning...no lights or warning messages. no major injuries occu…”
2024-05-22 · Unknown Or Other“unknown the gmc dealership refuses to repair recalls as they say, theres no recalls on the vehicle. there are 2 recalls and were not told of these recalls when purchasing…”
2024-02-16 · Power Train · 47,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 gmc canyon. the contact stated while driving 6 mph and going over a speed bump, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound emanating from the driver’s side suspension. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the upper control arm was striking the suspension spring. the v…”
2023-07-17 · Unknown Or Other“the rear camera and wire harness for the rear backup camera became corroded and stopped working months ago. this is vital technology that our children have grown up with to ensure the safety of backing up in case something is behind the vehicle including young children, toys, equipment or someone simply walking by your driveway while you're backing…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.