Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and steering. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 GMC Canyon: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/4
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2018's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 GMC Canyon. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 21–22 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 19–20 mpg |
| 2.8L 4-cylDiesel | 4WD, RWD | 23–25 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Key stuck in ignition
18,000–38,000 miles
Transmission shudder and harsh shifts
25,000–35,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 GMC Canyon, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The 8-speed automatic shudders, often described as driving over rumble strips. It shows up around town, on gentle hills, or at highway speeds near 55-60 mph. Other reports describe harsh shifts when cold, clunky downshifts, and brief slipping followed by a surge. Dealers often try repeated fluid flushes and a software update first. Some trucks still need a torque converter or a new transmission. Separately, 4WD can drop out in snow with a "Service 4WD" message, and one crash followed that loss of traction. One diesel owner reports a fuel tank strap bolt falling out, leaving the tank hanging against the driveshaft.
The key often sticks in the ignition after the truck is put in park. Owners have to restart, shift, or jiggle it to get it out. Left in accessory, the battery can go flat in 4-6 hours. Dealers sometimes cannot duplicate the problem, and one shifter assembly replacement did not stop it from coming back. More serious reports describe the engine shutting off at highway speed, once right after a "Service Emissions System" warning. Other complaints cover a backup camera screen that is too bright at night and an intermittent "Service Trailer Brake System" message.
Electronic power steering cuts out at random, then comes back. It happens after the truck idles for 10-20 minutes and also at highway speeds, and on long trips the traction control, ABS, and brake warning lights come on. In another case a steering knuckle cracked where it meets the ball joint at about 3,000 miles, and the replacement part was on order with no arrival date. There are only 3 complaints, and one of them mainly describes transmission trouble on a different GM truck.
Backup lights stop working even though the bulbs are good. Cleaning the ground strap does not fix it, and no wiring damage turns up. The other complaint is about the reverse camera display, which goes to full brightness at night and lights up the whole cab. That glare makes it hard to see out the windows or mirrors while backing up, and one driver nearly hit a person behind the truck. Brightness cannot be adjusted in reverse, and a dealer called the system normal.
Buckles become hard to latch and take several tries to lock. Cleaning the buckle does not help, and replacement is the recommended fix. The other report involves the side airbags firing during a slow crawl through a ditch at about 3 mph on a dirt road. The belt pretensioner fired with them, and the seat heaters stopped working afterward. With only 2 complaints, there is not enough here to show a wider pattern.
Coolant goes missing from the reservoir because of a cracked head gasket, reported at 76,000 miles. The owner caught it before the engine overheated. In another case the engine oil cooler lines failed at about 40,000 miles and 4 years of age. They leaked oil near the front axle, where it could reach the tires and brake rotors. The removed lines showed more corrosion than expected for the truck's age. Each problem appears in only one report.
Excerpts from complaints Canyon owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
i purchased this truck used about 5000 miles ago and it now has 26,800 miles and when you put it in park the key will not come out.you have to keep starting and shutting off and eventually it will come out.i have read alot of complaints about this and nothing is being done at gm.they should be ashamed of themselves for a substantial issue and they want to charge the customer for there issue.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2021
Vehicle switched out of four wheel drive while travelling up hill in snow. Resulted in a loss of traction and sliding downhill until it collided with a tree, resulting in$9,000 worth of damage. I have heard of the AWD/4WD actuator failing in other GMC trucks. The vehicle is currently in for repairs.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2024
Key sticks in ignition on accessory and cannot be removed. Service Bulletin generated by GMC. Available for inspection. Safety: with key stuck in accessory position battery goes dead in 4-6 hours, potentially stranding occupants and depending on location possibly creating a traffic hazard. Three attempts by GMC Fremont CA to repair so far. They have confirmed the problem. No warning or message.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2022
Backup lights are not working; bulbs are good. No apparent chafing/wear on wiring harness. Removed ground strap, cleaned and reattached. Still not working. 48,000 miles on 2018 GMC Canyon SLT, diesel engine.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 ranks third for owner complaints among 8 Canyon years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the fourth model year of the Canyon's second generation (2015–2022).
GMC updated the Canyon for 2020, so a 2018 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2020 (not on a 2018)
Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Cars shoppers compare with the GMC Canyon, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
