Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and fuel system. The 7 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/7 checked
2019 GMC Canyon: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/1
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
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 2019's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 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 | 22–23 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 GMC Canyon, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The transmission slips, hesitates, and shifts hard, mostly when pulling away from a stop, at low speed, or climbing a hill. Drivers describe the engine revving high while the truck lurches, jerks, or feels like it will stall. Several say the problems began within months of buying the truck new. Dealer visits often find nothing wrong, and a fluid change does not cure the slipping. A separate report describes a corroded engine oil cooler pipe that sprays oil onto hot engine parts, with smoke coming from under the hood.
A parked truck caught fire and burned, destroying the cabin and bed. The fire department could not find a cause. Another report describes a key that will not turn or come out of the ignition, so the truck cannot be started or shut off. No warning lights come on, and that failure appears at about 52,000 miles. There is also a report of a loud clunk from the front on cold starts, strong enough to feel inside the cab.
The high pressure fuel pump breaks while driving, and mechanics find a bolt sheared off inside the engine. The truck loses power, shows a check engine light, StabiliTrak and Engine Power Reduced warnings, drops into limp mode, and can knock hard or stall at highway speed. Broken pumps can dump gasoline across the engine, which creates a fire risk. One owner reports the same failure again less than 6 months after a pump and fuel line replacement.
Excerpts from complaints Canyon owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Transmission shifting issues. The transmission will shift very slowly (engine revs high and vehicle lurches) when driving the truck each morning. I reported the issue to the dealership within 0ne month of purchasing the truck in 2019 and again in 2024. The dealership stated there is nothing wrong with the transmission. The transmission is now starting to slip at low/moderate speeds when accelerating. The vehicle has less than 50,000 miles.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
Noticed oil on snow in driveway. Upon inspection, noted that engine oil cooler pipe is corroded-through and oil, under pressure, is leaking when engine is running and blowing back onto hot engine components. Also noted smoke from under hood/engine compartment.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2022
On Wednesday September 22nd at approximately 9:45 pm. My 2019 GMC Canyon was parked on my street and caught fire and was destroyed for no known reason. The fire department came ruled the cause as un known. The cabin and the bed were totally destroyed. Appears to be no issue to the engine compartment.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2021
High pressure fuel pump broke off while driving on highway causing truck to stall. Stabilitrack warning was activated and Engine Power Reduced message came on dash. Speed was rapidly reduced to 15 mph on the highway and started knocking hard. Mechanic found the pump physically broke and a bolt was sheered off inside of head.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 Canyon years, well under 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 2019 is the fifth model year of the Canyon's second generation (2015–2022).
GMC updated the Canyon for 2020, so a 2019 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2020 (not on a 2019)
Cars shoppers compare with the GMC Canyon, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
