Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, electrical, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2022 GMC Canyon: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/4
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 2022's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 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 | 19–21 mpg |
| 2.8L 4-cylDiesel | 4WD, RWD | 22–23 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 GMC Canyon, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Power steering assist cuts out without warning, and a Service Power Steering message appears. It happens at low speed in turns and at other speeds, even driving straight. Assist sometimes comes back after a restart or a wait, but one truck lost it for days. Diagnoses include water in an electrical connector at about 14,424 miles and a C0800 code for the power steering control module. Losing assist in a turn is a loss-of-control risk. Other reports describe a key that won't turn off or come out, and shaking in the wheel and column at highway speed.
The ignition key gets stuck and won't come out after shutdown. This is the most common report. Drivers restart, shift gears, or wait 15 to 20 minutes before it releases. Some dealers say the ignition switch needs replacing, while others dispute the problem. A known workaround of disconnecting a wire also lets the key turn off while driving, which creates a safety hazard. Other reports describe the instrument cluster going dark on startup, with no speedometer, gauges, or turn signals, which a software refresh fixed. Others mention a dead fuel gauge after repeated control module replacements and a P0494 code.
The 8-speed automatic slips in first gear, often on the first start of the day. Repeated dealer visits, two or three per truck, fail to find a cause or fix it, even under warranty at about 19,000 miles. Other reports describe delayed shifts, kicking and banging between gears, and vibration above certain speeds. No crashes are tied to these complaints, but the slipping can go on for years without a repair.
Deployment fails in a rear-end crash at 45–50 mph that leaves the driver with head and cervical spine injuries. A service air bag message appears in the vehicle app afterward, on a truck with about 14,000 miles. A second report describes a sensor failure after about four years in service, traced to a failed gasket built into the sensor assembly. Two complaints are too few to show a broad pattern, but both point to a restraint system that may not be ready when needed.
Excerpts from complaints Canyon owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
While driving out of a parking lot, my power steering stopped working and I had to regain control to manually steer the vehicle. After stopping and turning off the engine to check the serpentine belt, the power steering came back on, but the lane departure assist function was no longer working. It appears to be the same problem that some of the 2015 and other GMC Canyon models had. Took it to my GMC dealer for warranty evaluation.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
The truck smokes constantly, dash board faulty frame has a problem I suspect the engine head gasket is blown radio constantly needs adjusting seats look as if they may be separating from the floor terrible fuel consumption gear shift sticks and more and battery charging problem
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
The ECU electric control model has now burned up 3 times and the dealership just keeps replacing it the only thing they keep saying not to fill up the gas tank all the way? The gas gauge just goes dead
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
At various times key can not be removed from the ignition. I understand this to be a common problem on these trucks, but dealer does not agree.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
Vehicle doors are uneven. Crooked. Headlights/taillights get foggy to the point where you cannot see the lights. Doors wont shut properly. Powertrain issues. Vibration after certain speeds. Transmission delays gear switching. Transmission kicking and banging. Exhaust has a hole in it. I can provide more videos details via the email if possible.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks fourth 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 2022 is the eighth model year of the Canyon's second generation (2015–2022).
It includes the 2020 update.
What changed for 2020
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 2022 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado vehicles equipped with a manual passenger seat. The front passenger seat may have a hook attachment that was not properly welded, allowing it to separate from the inboard track of the seat frame.
Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat and replace the cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222368320.
Cars shoppers compare with the GMC Canyon, with their own 2022 checklists.
2022 owner complaints, side by side
